Hosting Thanksgiving dinner is a big deal! While you may be excited to plan out your menu and invite your dearest family and friends, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Don’t worry – it comes with the territory! If you are concerned about getting your home ready for your Thanksgiving day feast, these three simple tips can make your holiday a success!
1.) Begin cleaning your home ahead of time to be clutter-free and ready on Thanksgiving day.
Let’s face it: before company comes over, we all go through the mad cleaning rush – causing a whirlwind within our homes. Rather than do that, begin deep cleaning your home ahead of time, focusing on one room or section for just 15 minutes a day. As you clean up and clear out, ask yourself if the items you come across are ones you genuinely need. If not, consider donating or discarding them to help clear out space. If you live in a smaller home, renting a local self-storage unit could prove to be a beneficial solution, maximizing space within your house for company, as well as belongings you need daily.
2.) Make side dishes and desserts one to two days before to focus your energy on your main dish and decor.
Leave the big day for your main dish and get your table ready. Cook all side dishes and bake all desserts one or two nights before so that all you have to do is heat them the day of. You will save yourself a ton of time, making your Thanksgiving day so much more relaxed. Best of all, there are countless meals that you can make ahead of time, and they taste just as good reheated as they would have if you made them the day of.
3.) Give everyone a job to do – whether they bring a side dish or help you clean up. You don’t have to go at it alone.
Let people help! If they want to bring a side dish, dessert, or wine, they can. Just let them know what it is you need, specifically. And, If they want to help clean up, let them do that too. In fact, you can create a list of miscellaneous tasks that people can take on when they ask so that everyone feels included and you can have a little less on your plate. Believe it or not, people want to join in – it’s part of the fun and helps lighten the load for you.
John F. Kennedy once said, “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” So, as you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast, don’t lose sight of what makes the holiday so special. Our love for one another. So take some time to clean up, prep, and store belongings locally before the holiday so that you can focus your energy elsewhere. You’ll be glad you did.
Hosting Thanksgiving This Year? These 3 Simple Tips Can Make Your Holiday a Success!
