Oh the thought of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes! For years you have enjoyed your holiday meal, partially because you weren’t the one slaving in the kitchen to prepare it. However, most of us eventually reach the point where we want to entertain in our own homes. Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is the perfect opportunity to get friends and family together in your home and show them how much you appreciate them with a bountiful feast. But where do you go from there?
Take a deep breath, relax and use these tips to get through your first hosted holiday.
Plan Your Menu and Guest List Far in Advance
If you are lucky, you may have many family members willing to host the yearly turkey dinner. Therefore, if you are interested in having the family over this year it is a good idea to make it known ahead of time. Contact your family and let them know they are invited to your home this year and that you would appreciate the opportunity to serve them a meal filled with thanksgivings. Chances are they will be thrilled for someone else to take the reins for a change. Get a rough head count far in advance so you can begin planning your menu and the time you will need to pull it all together.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Though you may be hosting Thanksgiving dinner, there is certainly nothing wrong with asking your guests to bring a dish. Most large families employ this type of system to keep the hostess from being overloaded. After all, part of hosting a party is getting to spend time with your guests! Therefore, do not be afraid to ask for help. If your mom or someone else you know makes a special dish every year, have them bring that to the dinner. They’ll be happy to share their own recipes, especially if they are used to hosting the dinner themselves. At minimum, plan on preparing the main dish, a few side dishes and some appetizers.
Enjoy the Day, and Your Company
One of the best things you can do to make sure you enjoy the day and having company over is to r-e-l-a-x. Super hostesses seem to be able to get it all done -- prepare and serve a fabulous meal all while keeping guests comfortable and entertained. Do not feel pressured into feeling that you aren’t doing enough. Almost all hosts tend to worry about how they’re doing, but when the rave reviews and thanks come in after the holiday you will know you did a great job. Feeling frazzled is a surefire way to lose control and make a mistake with your meal, so stay calm and just enjoy the process.
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