Starbucks red cups are in high demand. Offices are beginning to decorate with holiday lights and decorations. Christmas chocolate and candy canes have taken the place of Halloween goodies. Yes, the holiday season has begun!
There is no better time to declutter your house than before a major party. Get a lovely turkey tablecloth, some new window curtains, and some attractive dishware. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but you should be imaginative so that your visitors feel welcomed when they arrive.
Don’t worry if it crept up on you a little. In preparation for Thanksgiving, I’ve put up a simple hosting guide to help you get ready for the big day (and avoid running about like a turkey with its head chopped off!).
Read on for amazing advice and resources for choosing the right bird, creating the most delectable dishes, and prepping in advance so you can wow your guests with your culinary genius and epic party planning abilities come the big day. Turkey
Table of Contents
1. Plan Menu
Now comes the exciting part! Whether your family has Christmas favorites that they eat every year or you want to try new recipes, start planning what you’ll cook. I’d serve 2-3 appetizers, 3-4 sides, 1-2 main courses (including the turkey), and 2-3 desserts for most parties, so there’s something for everyone. You can also make a thanksgiving menu and put it on your table, so your guests will know what they will be going to have on their plates. If you don’t know how to create a menu then use the menu creator mobile application to create attractive menus on your phone only.
Be mindful of your kitchen area as you plan. If your oven is tiny, for example, the turkey will take up most of the space, so consider sides that can be made on the stove, in the microwave, or ahead of time and left out at room temperature.
Also read: Best ideas to gift
2. Do Advance Preparation
I know I’m constantly preaching about doing as much prep work ahead of time as possible, but it’s true. You’ll be a lot more relaxed on Thanksgiving if you simply have to battle with your turkey and maybe a side or two.
Here’s my pre-T-Day to-do list:
- Plan two separate grocery trips: one about a week before Thanksgiving to stock up on non-perishables or things with longer expiry dates, and another 2-3 days before Thanksgiving to get all your fresh groceries and any last-minute additions.
- Make sure you have everything you need for Thanksgiving dinner, from cutting tools to a meat thermometer.
- Check your plate and flatware situation—and ask a buddy for additional if necessary.
- Check that your turkey roasting pan will fit in the oven!
- Prepare your turkey—if you purchased a frozen turkey, allow it to defrost two to three days ahead of time.
3. Enjoy The Food
First and foremost, prepare the turkey. After all, it is the star of the show! Preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, triple-check the cooking time, and take the turkey from the fridge at least an hour before roasting to allow it to come to room temperature.
Allow the turkey to rest when it has finished cooking while you prepare the remainder of your sides. One thing I don’t mind is that the turkey isn’t boiling hot—I believe that having hot side dishes and gravy is preferable. I guarantee that your turkey will be deliciously served at room temperature.
After the turkey has been done cooking, heat up your side dishes. If you run out of oven space, your microwave can save the day—dishes like mashed potatoes or carrot mash can always be warmed in the microwave for a few minutes. And don’t forget about the stove—I’ve been known to reheat mashed potatoes while they’re sitting in a huge dish over simmering water. If at all feasible, make use of every available area. Remember to put your turkey back in the fridge after approximately two hours—the leftovers are sometimes the greatest part of Thanksgiving!
