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Thanksgiving – a time to give thanks, to gather with loved ones, and to overindulge in mom’s coveted mac n cheese. Although the actual meaning of Thanksgiving is to bless the harvest and the coming of the new year1, the holiday can take on many different meanings. Maybe it symbolizes something different for you. I know for me Thanksgiving not only means food and family, it also represents a time to rest, reflect, and reset.
As the holiday is quickly approaching and as we continue to gather back with our families, maybe this year it’s your turn to host Thanksgiving. Maybe it’s your first time or maybe you’ve done this many times, but it’s been a while. Sounds like a daunting task, doesn’t it? I’ll admit, there comes much responsibility with hosting dinner, especially for large groups.
Despite the heavy burden you may be feeling, in this blog I am going to show you how you can host a delightful, fulfilling, entertaining dinner that your guests will enjoy and appreciate!
1. Plan ahead and plan early.
When it comes to the holidays, I personally like to begin planning at least 6-8 weeks out. It sounds like a lot of time, however, time seems to zoom so much faster once September arrives. That extra time allows me to do research, meal plan, make arrangements, and send out invites.
Given it’s a holiday, I think everyone would benefit by planning early. Another reason planning early is a huge plus, you can purchase items you know you’ll need in advance before things start selling out. In fact, here’s a downloadable checklist for planning your next Thanksgiving Dinner.
2. Create your guest list.
So technically, this is really your first step. Before you do anything else, I recommend that you create your guest list. Now is a good time to start thinking about who you would like to invite to your Thanksgiving dinner. Knowing who’s coming and how many you can plan accordingly. Now that we’re in October, many people have already started contemplating their travel plans. So send your invitations early if you want them to make your dinner.
Questions to get your thoughts swirling: Do you want this to be intimate? Or do you want a large family gathering with extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc)? Are you inviting your neighbors, church friends, or even co-workers? Whatever you decide is fine, just take some time to jot them down and send your invites early (like today, lol).
3. Build your menu.
Turkey, anyone? The first thing we think about when it comes to Thanksgiving is of course the food. However, it’s your Thanksgiving Dinner and you can choose to have turkey…or not. It’s totally okay to create your own Thanksgiving traditions, and in fact, that’s exactly what I want you to do. With more and more people becoming vegan, plant-based, pescatarians, Turkey is completely optional (and always has been). This is also a good time to start reaching out to your guests in advance and finding out if they have dietary restrictions so you can accommodate them when they arrive for dinner.
If you’re going the traditional route, you may want to consider these Thanksgiving staples: macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, cabbage, and green bean casserole (or any casserole!) Our family is definitely a turkey family, I especially love the hall of game Honey Baked™️ Turkey Breast from Honey Baked Ham. Whatever Thanksgiving fixing you decide on, I am sure it’ll be great!
Need recipe ideas? Check out our Thanksgiving favorites:
Sweet Potatoe Casserole
World’s Best Lasagna
Easy, No Fuss Turkey
Green Bean Casserole
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Crockpot Macaroni & Cheese
4. Consider decorations for your home.
Many people are excited for the holidays because it’s a grand opportunity to switch things up decor-wise and bring in a festive environment. Things like pumpkins, candles, special dinnerware, table runners, centerpieces, flowers, and accent pillows are all great ways to decorate for the holiday. Of course, you can make your own decor theme. In fact, purple, cream, and yellow tones are becoming trendy color options, so you don’t have to use the typical orange and brown!2 May I add, you don’t have to deck your house out with pilgrims from the floors to the ceilings. Don’t be afraid to incorporate your own style and make it yours.
5. Contemplate your table setting decorations.
When it comes to hosting a dinner, your table-setting decorations can really add a nice touch. Not only can they be festive, it’s also where guests can truly feel that warm and inviting spirit. Here are some things to consider for your table decor:
-Table cloths
-Table runners
-Cutlery
-Placemats
-Menus
-Place cards
-Name cards
-Candles
-Centerpieces
-Flower arrangements
DID YOU KNOW?
We have Thanksgiving place cards that you can download and print. Check out the designs here:
Christian Place Cards
Bible Verse Place Cards
Gather, Thankful, Grateful Place Cards
6. Prepare icebreakers and games for your guests.
For years, my husband and I have been alternating holidays with our families (my family lives in Florida, his in Georgia). My Georgia family (The Gavin’s) have a tradition where we always, and I mean always, play games after we eat. One of my mother-in-love’s favorite games is Charades, a classic indeed! Oh, let me tell you how much fun we have, and they get better and better every time. We actually started recording them and it’s been so fun looking back and watching our silly selves act out.
Looking for fall fun? Check out the best pumpkin patches in Florida!
Decor matters, yes, however at the end of the day you don’t want your guests to be bored AND hungry. A true mood killer and you can bet they likely won’t be coming back. Games are a great way to break the ice. Let me tell you, it’s interesting to see how competitive things can get!
Don’t have any game ideas? Don’t worry we figured that out for you! We have printable games that you can download and start using today! The games are already created with instructions and answers. You certainly don’t have to play all of them, but you’ll have plenty to choose from.
Download printable Thanksgiving games here!
7. Think about the layout and seating arrangements.
Once you have an idea of the number of guests, next you’ll want to think about layout and seating arrangements. Take inventory of all the things you currently own (tables, chairs, serving trays, flatware, etc). How much space do you have? Where would your guests sit down and eat? Would this be indoors or outdoors? If it’s cold where you live, do you have a fireplace or portable heaters? Will children need a separate eating area? Just some questions to help you think about your guests’ experience.
8. Spread your tasks over a few days.
If I could offer major advice, it would be to plan and prep early. That means food and decor. Some recipes can actually be cooked a day or two in advance, whereas some may have to be cooked the same day it’s served. Do some research and find out what you can prep/cook early. Trust me, that will save you time and countertop space.
As for decor, start setting up your table arrangements and holiday decor at least a day or two before the dinner. Ask someone you know and trust to help you too. Whatever you do, just get as much done early as possible. Do not wait until Thanksgiving Day to just start cleaning. If dinner is at 3 PM, your guests will be ready to eat at 2:55. So make sure nothing zaps your time away. Your focus should be serving your guests on time and making sure they’re comfortable.
9. Ask for help.
One person should not be doing all the cooking, cleaning, prepping, and entertaining. Please, I beg you, promise me, you will ask for help. Hosting a dinner (a good one, especially) takes more than just one body. Know what you’re good at and what you’re not. Ask for help in your areas of weakness and ask for help on things you know you don’t have time for. Some ideas: ask your spouse to pick up the groceries, ask your in-laws to watch the grandkids, ask a friend to bring her homemade apple pie, ask your mom to help decorate the house. Lots of ways to ask for help and I am sure some ideas have already started flowing.
Don’t forget to grab these storage containers for leftovers!
Conclusion: eat well and have fun!
When I started this blog post, it was much longer than what is now published. That’s because I could go on and on about what to do and what not to do. I didn’t want to get too in the weeds, however, it was important that the foundational items were included here. Basically, I wanted this to benefit anyone who was hosting a dinner. I surely hope you were able to take something away from this and hopefully implement right away.
All in all, when it comes to hosting the basic idea is to ensure your guests are comfortable, entertained, and well-fed. Don’t sweat the small stuff and be sure to ask a family member or friend to help you with the cooking. I can’t wait to hear some of your traditions, whether it’s the annual Macy’s day parade or perhaps a family field day in the backyard. Whatever you decide, make this holiday your own and do it with pride!
Thanks for your support. Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Courtney
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