How To Host Thanksgiving Dinner

We can’t have the big Thanksgiving Dinner we’ve had in the past, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be special. We are hosting in our home but splitting the work with our quarantine crew! Whether you are planning for your immediate family or your quarantine pod, these tips will hopefully make it fun and stress-free.

Plan In Advance

This planning process should not only include your menu but also things you need to cook a successful meal. — Meat thermometer, tableware, serving dishes, etc. A 30-minute planning session can save you hours and a ton of stress on the backend!

• Guest List
• Menu (have recipes handy)
• Tools (take inventory of what you have and still need)
• Timeline (Planning timeline and day-of)
• Shopping list split by store

Plan Your Grocery Trip

I design my list to align with the layout of my grocery store. It saves me time and I don’t forget things. Once I’ve made my list, I look for deals at my favorite grocers. We get our meat whenever we see them on sale. It’s usually right after Halloween, so it’ll keep in the freezer.

I like to get non-perishables a few weeks in advance to save time and spread out the budget. The perishables a save for the weekend before. They won’t go bad and I’ll have enough time to go to another store if I can’t find exactly what I need. — I follow this same plan for my normal grocery shopping too lol

Set Your Table

Preparing your centerpiece and table décor in advance will save you time and stress the week of! You can check out this post for tips on decorating your home for fall but don’t feel like you need to go crazy here. You can always use your food to fill the table, I promise no one will complain 🙂

Pro Tip: Sit yourself and left-handed guests at the ends so they are comfortable and you have easy access to the kitchen!

Prep In Advance

Think about your Thanksgiving dinner menu and what can be made ahead and frozen (i.e. pie crust and fillings). Wash and chop your veggies, which can hold up in the fridge for a few days. Wash all your dishes and linens and dedicate one day to clean a room in the house so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

A Signature Cocktail

A signature cocktail can be prepared in advance and eliminate the need for you to play bartender. Set up a cute drink station where your guest can serve themselves! I like to keep extras in mason jars to it’s easy to refill as the day goes on. A signature cocktail, + 1 red, and 1 white wine selection will also cut help with the budget!

NOTE: You know your guests, so maybe you swap the wine for beer. Do what works for you, don’t make it hard.

The Big Day

Make sure you have a schedule in place. You want to get everything done before your guest arrive so you are ready to relax and enjoy the day.

• Wake up early and have your clothes ready
• Make sure you have ice — We have a button we can hit on the fridge to make more, but it takes time, so I fill the ice bucket then hit it that morning
• Try to time when everything goes in the oven so it’s warm and ready to eat at the same time (you may need crockpots and warmers)
• Do a quick pass to make sure all of the accessible rooms are clean
  • Clean the kitchen and empty the dishwasher so you can stash dishes away as they come
• Light a few candles, this is always a welcoming touch
• Make sure you are drinking water so you are refreshed and hydrated
• Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and this time with family

Pro Tip: Ask your guest to bring food storage containers so you don’t have to stress about getting them back!

I know hosting Thanksgiving diner is a big ordeal with a lot of moving parts, but try to have fun! Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. The point of the holiday is being with those you love and giving thanks!

I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving and take some time to reflect on your blessings, despite the craziness of this year.

XOXO, Laya