Keep reading for some tips on preparing your home for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. It’s about gathering with your loved ones and celebrating thankfulness. From the food to the decor to the company, there are many factors to consider when preparing yourself, your family, and your home for Thanksgiving. The key is to create a balance that ensures you can get everything done without sacrificing your enjoyment. After all, this is supposed to be a fun day spent with family! Keep reading for some tips on preparing your home for Thanksgiving.
Don’t Stress Over Perfection
Forget about reaching perfection: a perfectly cooked meal, a clean kitchen, happy guests, etc. Sometimes, life gets in the way, and things go awry, so before you begin planning, take a moment to focus on what a happy Thanksgiving would look like for you; it may include happy and full guests and a messy kitchen instead!
Have a Plan
If you are hosting this year, you want to plan a cleaning schedule, a timetable for what needs to be cooked and when, and a list of other factors to consider for the day. This is an excellent opportunity to assess what you need to do, what you want, and what you should not do. Having a plan will also limit the possibility of a last-minute disaster. When hosting an event, it is always best to over-prepare!
Clean and Declutter
Organize entryways, living rooms, and other areas where guests will gather. Once that’s done, set out your Thanksgiving decor, such as fall decorations and seasonal centerpieces. Pull out any special napkins, tablecloths, and other special serving dishes, so you know you have everything.
For many people, Thanksgiving marks the start of heavy kitchen use. Now is a great time to clean your kitchen thoroughly. Clean the fridge and pantry, wipe down countertops, sweep the floor, and clean the microwave. Make sure your appliances are in working order. You can quickly clean your oven and stove but resist the urge to run the self-cleaning function.
Finalize the Menu
If you haven’t already, finalize the menu, deciding on appetizers, main courses, sides, and desserts. If anyone is bringing food, follow up to ensure nothing is missing or duplicated. Make a list of any ingredients you’ll need and then go grocery shopping to get everything you’ll need so you don’t have to do any last-minute shopping.
Create a Cooking Schedule
Because some dishes take longer to cook, some need to be cooked at drastically different temperatures than others, and some take up more space in the oven, you will want to create a timetable of what you need to cook and when you should cook it. You might realize you need to cook a few dishes the night before, or you might decide to prepare your ingredients to make sure everything runs smoothly the day of.
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