Hosting Thanksgiving for the First Time in Your New Home? Here's How to Prepare Like a Pro
Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone, and if you're hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year, it’s the perfect opportunity to make it memorable. But we all know hosting can come with its challenges, especially when it’s your first time. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you prepare ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy the holiday.
Two Weeks Before Thanksgiving
Start by planning your menu, keeping in mind food allergies, dietary preferences, and guest contributions. Organize who’s bringing what and decide which dishes you’ll need to prepare. Be sure to buy your turkey early, as stores tend to run low closer to the holiday. Remember, you need a full day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey. Lastly, confirm your guest list to plan for seating, tableware, and serving needs, which will also help when finalizing your grocery list for drinks, appetizers, and desserts.
A Week Before Thanksgiving
With your menu set, shop a week in advance to ensure you have everything you need, with time for any last-minute changes. Plan seating based on your guest list, considering extra chairs or a kids’ table, and ensure all linens, dinnerware, and utensils are ready. Create a cooking schedule, preparing certain dishes like pies or rolls ahead of time to free up oven space. If you’re trying any new recipes, test them in advance to avoid surprises on Thanksgiving Day.
The Week Of Thanksgiving
Start prepping by thawing the turkey and getting any dishes that can be prepared early, like chopping vegetables or baking pies, out of the way to save time. Deep clean key areas like the dining room and kitchen, ensuring linens, serveware, and dinnerware are ready. You can set the table in advance, and if you’re hosting kids, consider setting up a separate kids’ table to streamline seating.
