How to Make Hosting Thanksgiving Easy and Stress-Free

4 Easy Ways to Make Hosting Thanksgiving Easy and Stress-Free

Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays in America, alongside Christmas and New Years. It is also among the few holidays that bring family and friends together every year.

For those who will be hosting family and friends this Thanksgiving, we know that hosting and cooking usually goes hand in hand, and they can both be a bit overwhelming, especially if this is your first time hosting.

So, if you have been having anxiety and nerves about this upcoming holiday, don't worry; we have a few tips for you to make things less intimidating!

1. Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is a strategy that is important for anything, be it school, work, or an oncoming holiday. Take, for example, how advantageous planning ahead for retirement really is. If you can get the picture, then that's exactly how advantageous it will be for you to prepare for this particular undertaking. Planning ahead, in this case, could involve preparing and freezing a large batch of the food you intend to serve come that day. The trick here is to choose meals that can be easily reheated, such as hearty stews, cranberry sauce, casseroles, pies, etc.

Another way you could plan ahead is to let some of your closest family members or friends know that they are free to bring things. Be sure, however, to ask them to let you know exactly what they intend to bring at least three days before Thanksgiving.

By encouraging a potluck, you don't have to make everything you could make the turkey and gravy as someone else prepares the mashed potatoes, and another one makes the pie and whipped cream. There's also absolutely nothing wrong with buying a few things - if you can't make a good pie and you know of a great bakery that does, why not order some? The same case applies to rolls, gravy, and any other food item you would really like help with.

Even as you look forward to receiving some contributions from your guests, don't be ashamed to ask for help from your family members and any guests who might be staying with you at the moment. Remember that food isn't the only thing that needs prepping, there's probably a lot of cleaning that needs to be done too. Cleaning should ideally be done a week before, and while you are at it, don't forget to double-check if you have enough utensils, napkins, and other essentials.

2. Set the Table Early

Setting the table early will put you a step ahead and leave you with more time to handle last-minute details. You may set the table the night before or first thing the morning of Thanksgiving. While you are at it, put out your serving utensils and vessels as well. Make sure the tablecloth is clean and well ironed, and don't forget to throw a clean sheet over the already set table if you have a snoopy cat.

3. Have Drinks Ready by the Time the First Guests Arrive

The good thing about preparing the drinks early is that when people have a drink in their hands, they often find it easier and less awkward to socialize as they await late guests. In fact, you can bet they won't worry or even care if dinner is late by 30 minutes or 1 hour.

Plan to have a pitcher of juice or soda waiting to be poured or some wine already chilling in the fridge by the time the first guests are arriving. That way, you will be able to handle them a glass of what they fancy and get them to socialize as you wind up in the kitchen or wait for a late arriving guest.

4. Don't Forget the Snacks

Of course, if you have family or friends traveling to stay with you in honor of Thanksgiving, chances are that they may arrive a few days or hours early and you'll need to entertain them with snacks every few hours. In that case, it may suit you to prepare some snacks ahead of time. Cheese, crackers, popcorn, muffins, and cookies are great examples of crowd-pleasing favorites. Prepare what you can and once again, don't be ashamed to ask your guests to help out with the snacks. Better still, you can always buy whatever you think is necessary.

We hope the tips provided above will go a long way in easing any stress or anxiety you may be having about hosting Thanksgiving. The most important thing, however, is to remember that your health comes first host your family and friends, but above everything, relax, laugh, and ask for help when you need it. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!