Congratulations! You're a first-time homeowner and have volunteered (or a relative volunteered you) to host Thanksgiving for the first time. Hosting and cooking this great American meal can be exciting, but it can also feel a little intimidating. Hosting comes with a lot of responsibility, and you probably have a few boxes left unpacked. But fear not, our agents have some helpful tips that will help you host your first Turkey Day like a veteran.
Plan Your Big Day
Early planning, ideally two to three weeks before the big day, is the key to a stress-free Thanksgiving. You need to figure out how many guests and children you expect. Create an online or mail-delivered invite to show your family and friends that you'd enjoy their company and encourage them to RSVP as soon as possible. Think about where your guests will sit and where you'll set your food. Think about the need for tables and chairs and create a music playlist that would appeal to everyone's taste. Don't forget non-food items like appetizer plates, napkins, table cloths, and decorations.
Plan the Menu and Don't Experiment
Collect your recipes, create your menu, and build a grocery list of all ingredients and supplies. When creating a menu, stick to what's tried and true. Now is not the time to experiment with that recipe you found online with many ingredients you've never heard of before and an overly complicated cooking process. An important side note here: if any of your guests have food restrictions and known allergies, find out ahead of time and plan on accommodating them.
Buy Your Groceries
Good planning also means stocking up on the majority of your groceries and ordering your turkey at least the weekend before Thanksgiving. This will ease your stress when you have to run back to the store for whatever it is that you inevitably forgot and spare you from last-minute shopping. Pick your turkey with enough time to allow it to fully thaw.
Start Early on Your Non-Food Prep
A few days before Thanksgiving Day, break out the vacuum cleaner and give your house a good, thorough cleaning. Ensure the living room and dining area are vacuumed and/or mopped, your kitchen is free of clutter, and the bathroom has fresh hand towels and plenty of soap. Iron table cloths and pull out extra silverware and serving dishes that need to be washed. If you need or glassware, get them beforehand and make sure your flatware is enough. Setting the day days before the holiday will also make it seem a little less overwhelming.
Cook in Advance
Making some dishes in advance is one of the secrets to a stress-free holiday. Vegetables and casseroles and can be premade and refrigerated for up two days. Gravy bases can be frozen. You can also make turkey stock, make stuffing, roast some nuts, and chop vegetables. Label your containers and put them in the refrigerator so you're ready to go on Thursday.
Don't Bite More Than You Can Chew
Making everything from scratch is usually too much work, especially for a first-time host in a new home. Instead of spending the entire day digging out roast pans and preparing dishes, why not ask your guests for help? Make Thanksgiving dinner a potluck and ask each guest to sign up for an item. That way, you can focus your energy on the turkey and getting your home ready for the guests. If coordinating a potluck is too stressful, there's no shame in buying parts of your meal or having your dinner catered from a local restaurant.
Have Fun and Be Thankful
Thanksgiving is all about spending time with loved ones and being grateful for what you have – even if something doesn't go according to plan. People will remember the hugs, stories, and laughs much more than they'll remember the meal. So, laugh off the mistakes and enjoy your holiday.
At Tarvin Realtors we can do more than help you host your first Thanksgiving. We can offer practical knowledge, expert advice, and real-world experience to help you buy Ridgewood homes for sale. Contact us to get more tips and learn about our services.
