Cleaning
The least fun part of your Thanksgiving preparations is probably this part, but it’s important nonetheless! Make a list to keep everything in order and start with the areas where your guests will be spending most of their time. The family/living areas and dining room should be spotless! The kitchen will probably get a bit messy during the day of, but it’s a good idea to start the day with a clean slate. Don’t forget to clean up the bathrooms so they’re nice and shiny. You don’t want your guests to feel uncomfortable when they need to use the toilet. If you’ve got an outdoor area or extra space for people to spread out a bit, use it to your advantage! For this year in particular, consider leaving out some hand sanitizer around your home and make sure you’ve got plenty of hand soap! Here’s a cleaning tip: put together a cleaning bucket to carry around so you don’t have to keep making trips to your cleaning supply cupboard or closet throughout the day.
Tablescape
The food is usually the focal point on Thanksgiving but the tablescape definitely helps to set the mood. It should look professional and inviting and should make your guests feel almost as if they’re at a nice restaurant. You might never have even considered how to set up a table nicely for dinner but don’t worry, we’re here to help. Think “fall” when you go to purchase candles, flowers, and maybe some decorative miniature pumpkins or something similar. If you need some visual inspiration, check out this page from Town & Country. Try to find colors and decorations that will fit in nicely with other items in your home. Fresh fruit and vegetables can also work as table decor. Don’t forget about the details: tablecloths, napkins, plates, and silverware can make a huge difference! Consider some buckets or containers for ice where you can put bottles of champagne, wine, or other beverages of your choosing for your guests to enjoy.
Decorate and set up your table in advance. A good portion of your Thanksgiving Day will likely be spent cooking, so it’s a good idea to have it all set up beforehand.
The Food
While your guests are sure to appreciate a clean home with inviting decor, none of it will matter if they’re missing their Thanksgiving favorites at the dinner table. Ask your guests what they most look forward to in their Thanksgiving meals, and plan accordingly. Make a list of each dish you plan to make, and then go through and write down all of the necessary ingredients you’ll need to complete each one. It’s best to start this process a week or more in advance so that you can buy everything that won’t go bad over the next few days beforehand, and then make one last trip to the store the day before to pick up ingredients that need to be fresh or any items you forgot.. If you plan on serving more than just dinner throughout the day, make sure to add those dishes and snacks to your list!
Anything that can be prepared in advance, should be. Many appetizers can be stored in the refrigerator, as can pies and other desserts. If you’ll need to bake your pies and want to serve them freshly baked, consider putting them together the day before so that all you need to do is put them in the oven when the time comes.
Thanksgiving is especially important this year. After spending a lot of time apart, it’ll be a nice excuse to (safely) gather around some good food and drinks, browse the Black Friday ads, and enjoy your family or friends. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!
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