Dear Storage Seeker:
I am hosting my friends and family this Thursday for Thanksgiving. It’s my first time hosting a major holiday, and I have to be honest by saying I’m slightly nervous. With only a few days left to prepare, are there any tips you can give me to help make the holiday a success? Thank you!
Sincerely,
Thanksgiving Hostess
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Dear Thanksgiving Hostess:
Before you get yourself all worked up, please know that the most crucial part of the Thanksgiving holiday is celebrating together with loved ones. The food and atmosphere come in second. So, by having everyone get together, you’ve already set yourself up for success! Here are some tips to help make the day run smoothly for you:
1.) Cook your side dishes in advance.
Believe it or not, you can make most of your side dishes and desserts on the days leading up to Thanksgiving – simply reheating them on Thursday. They will be fresh and delicious when you serve them; plus, you will not have to worry about whipping up several different dishes at once while you tend to everything else that needs your attention.
2.) Have two meat thermometers on hand.
When it comes to roasting a turkey, always have two different meat thermometers on hand so that you can confirm that the bird has reached an internal temperature that is safe to eat. While there are no guarantees, you will have less chance of overcooking or undercooking your bird if you verify the temperature with two different devices.
3.) Deep clean before Thanksgiving.
Many hosts make the mistake of trying to tidy up the day of. While it’s okay to zip through and tend to your bathroom – it is best to conduct a deep clean of your home several days prior. Also, please know there are self-storage units available in almost every neighborhood if space is an issue (at an affordable price). Keeping more oversized items offsite may make for a more comfortable environment to entertain in.
4.) Accept help by using the post-it note method.
As friends and family members arrive in your home and ask what they can do, it may feel overwhelming. Instead of trying to come up with tasks, consider placing some post-it notes with miscellaneous items listed on your fridge or nearby wall so that they can pull an assignment of their choosing and be as helpful as they like!
5.) Have some games on hand.
If a friend or family member gets to sharing some views that are making people uncomfortable or takes the evening in a direction you really don’t want it to go, consider having some board games on hand to help redirect the evening (while building some fun memories along the way). You’ll be glad you did!
With some self-storage and the foresight to plan ahead, your Thanksgiving will be one to remember. In the words of American poet Henry Van Dyke, “Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.”
We wish you and your family a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday!
5 Simple Tips to Help You Host a Happy Thanksgiving
