5 Tips for Hosting a Flawless Thanksgiving

It feels crazy to talk about Thanksgiving when it’s 80 degrees outside, but it is November! I am so ready for Thanksgiving this year. I know, I have said that in almost every recent post, but it’s true! This will be our little one’s first Thanksgiving, my brother and sister in law’s first Thanksgiving married and I w ill be hosting it this year. I have hosted Thanksgiving in the past at our home, but this year, it just feels different…more exciting. Over the past few weeks, I have been starting to prepare for our dinner and think ahead so that the actual day of isn’t stressful. I have learned a few tips the past few years to make hosting Thanksgiving a little less stressful.

5 Tips for Hosting a Flawless Thanksgiving

Shop early. I try to purchase our groceries by Friday the week before Thanksgiving. I know that some of the fresh ingredients I may have to purchase closer to time, but it’s much easier to run in the store and grab produce instead of having to purchase a cart full of groceries the day before Thanksgiving. 

Use your slow cooker. I cannot stress this enough. A huge part of hosting Thanksgiving is having a million dishes in the oven or on the stove and figuring out how to perfectly time cooking the apple pie after the turkey comes out of the oven. It can be overwhelming. Take a little stress off of yourself and use your slow cooker! I’ve even shared some slow cooker Thanksgiving recipes recently to get you started.

Ask for help. Whether you aren’t sure how to properly cook a turkey or what it means to shuck corn…ask for help. Chances are, someone in your family knows exactly what to do and they would be thrilled to help. We turn Thanksgiving into a family affair each year and I love the time spent in the kitchen with my mom (and brother-he’s a chef and is our master turkey guy)

Don’t stress about the decor. I know, it’s difficult not to. Trust me, you can plan simple and easy decor that looks beautiful but doesn’t break the bank or your back. Plan a simple tablescape, use paper napkins *gasp* or plastic pumpkins-whatever it takes to relieve some of the stress off of you. 

Remember what the day is about. It is about being thankful. Reflect back on the year and what you are thankful for. Make a list and keep that list with you during Thanksgiving-if you start to feel stressed, pull that list out. Breathe. Remember that the turkey doesn’t have to be perfect and the decor doesn’t have to be pristine for the day to be flawless.What matters is who you spend the day with and what you make of the day. Happy Thanksgiving!