Four Tips for Hosting an Amazing Thanksgiving Dinner
Fall has officially arrived, and our first autumn holiday is just round the corner. As the first family holiday of the season, Thanksgiving is a great time to host a family gathering to catch up with loved ones and a great excuse to entertain in your home. It can be somewhat stressful hosting Thanksgiving dinner, so here are a few ways to ensure that your holiday celebration will be a fabulous one; free from stress, fights and any cooking disasters.
1. Ask Everyone about Food Allergies, Sensitivities, and Restrictions
Many of us have friends and family with food allergies or restrictions due to ethnicity, ethical or religious background. When preparing your Thanksgiving meal, reach out to your guests as soon as you can to find out what foods you should not be preparing. The same goes for if kids are attending: some may only eat “kid food” and will refuse what’s being served, so ask parents what the kiddies will eat, and make it avalable. If there are multiple restrictions, i.e. vegans, nut allergies, gluten-free etc. be creative and do some online searching for recipes that will satisfy every restriction.
2. Don’t Try to Do It All Alone
Many hosts end up stressed out and frustrated because they get so overwhelmed by trying to cook every dish on their own. Invite friends and family over early so they can assist with some tasks like cutting vegetables, setting the table or mixing batter for the dessert. Another option is to prep dishes in advance, freeze them and pop them in the oven of Thanksgiving Day.
3. Make It a Potluck
One way to ensure that everyone can eat something at your party is to make it a potluck. Have every guest bring a favourite dish of theirs, so everyone can have the opportunity to try something new, or stick to what they know is safe for them. This is less stressful for the host who won’t have to prepare a large variety of dishes.
4. Take time to relax
If you’re hosting this year’s dinner, be sure to book some time off the following day to tidy up and relax. Even the most stress-free party will require a lot of work, and taking a day to decompress will be needed.
Not everything is going to go right at your dinner, a dish may turn out bad or too many guests may show up, and that’s absolutely okay. Just go with the flow, keep a sense of humour, and enjoy the special time of making new memories with family and friends.
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About Bryon Howard
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