Posted on November 19 2019
Most people consider Thanksgiving as one of the favorite annual holidays because food and family are at the center! People love sharing their unique recipes and traditions. It is also a time to have gratitude for the many blessings you have in your life.
Since food is at the heart of this holiday, you need to prepare the meal. Despite the excitement, it can be quite overwhelming especially if you are hosting a large group. Here are some tips that can make the process much easier.
Plan a Simple Menu
There are certain foods that are staples at the Thanksgiving dinner table, including turkey and mashed potatoes. Your first step to having a stress-free Thanksgiving is to make the menu as simple as possible. Think about what your guests really want to eat and then find the easiest ways to prepare them. We have created a free holiday meal planning chart to help you organize the event chaos. Or, you may even want to order your meal from a caterer, restaurant, or supermarket. Many have Thanksgiving meal options that you can pick up during Thanksgiving. This can save you a lot of hassle!
Manage Your Guest List
Planning a Thanksgiving guest list can be a bit challenging. You might want to invite all the close family and friends. However, a few limitations such as space availability can come in your way. It is advisable to create this list in advance. Do not wait to the last minute. Also, ensure you check on their availability. Start with the close family members and remember to account for their children too.
Clean Your Home Early
Cleanliness is essential. You don't want to wait until the day that you have guests over to clean your home. You'll want to do this well in advance so that you can enjoy your guests when they arrive. If you're cleaning all morning or even the day before Thanksgiving, you might be too tired to enjoy your company, which could cause a considerable amount of stress. Keeping your kitchen organized and your pantry tidy all year long helps greatly in meal preparation speed.
Prepare Some of the Meal in Advance
Timing during Thanksgiving can be tricky. You have several dishes that you need to prepare within a short time. The oven is common cooking equipment for most dishes. A delay in turkey roasting or grilling will end up slowing down other preparations, such as pie and potato baking. Choose food items that can be prepared in advance and the best preservation option. You can store the meals in the freezer and warm them later. Check out sous vide cooking options too.
Have a Strategy for Clean-Up
Cleaning up after a Thanksgiving party can be hectic. Your guests keep indulging, so there are many dirty dishes. Coming up with a clean-up strategy is easier compared to piling up all the dishes until the visitors leave. Remember, you will be exhausted and the last thing you need to see is a pile of dishes in every corner of your kitchen. Clean the dishes used for preparation as you wait for the guests. It will reduce your workload. Also, have a small bin where people can dispose to avoid littering. A few people use disposable plates and cups to ease the clean-up process. Vacuum seal your leftovers after your guests have left so you can indulge in them later. For large leftovers try our gusseted rolls!
Thanksgiving should not be stressful, but we often make it that way because of our choices in preparing for it. Strive to provide the best for your guests but remember to also live the moment. After all, this holiday is all about spending time with family, sharing a great meal with your loved ones, and reflecting on everything you are thankful for.
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