Thanksgiving Guide for Beginners

Hosting Thanksgiving for the very first time can be VERY overwhelming.  Many of us fortunate to have grandparents, parents, or aunt and uncles who are still in good health find ourselves still celebrating the major holidays at their homes.  We show up, bring whatever is asked of us, sit back, relax and enjoy.

We know in the back of our minds that Thanksgiving is a stressful holiday for the host, but never really put much thought into what actually needs to be done if we were actually hosting the dinner ourselves. Here are some great tips (suggested by punchbowl.com and adapted by me) to keep in mind when preparing for this special day of Thanks:

• Start early. As soon as you know that you’ll be hosting Thanksgiving dinner, make a list of everything you need to do to prepare for the day. Then, put together a calendar that plots out each task so you know exactly what you have to do and when. 
• Send online invitations or make individual phone calls.  Do not just assume that friends and family assume that they are invited.  Personally invite everyone.
• Order your turkey. It seems obvious, but remember to order your turkey in advance from a meat market or grocery store with a good reputation. You want to be confident that the turkey you pick up the day before Thanksgiving is the correct size you need and of the best quality.  
• Try a potluck. From the turkey and gravy to decorations and place settings, you have a lot on your plate as the host of Thanksgiving dinner. Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to contribute. You can set up a Potluck when you send your invitation and indicate that you would like guests to bring a few appetizers and desserts (or side dishes, beverages, it’s up to you!) Guests can write-in what they’d like to bring so you can plan accordingly and make up for any else you might need. Or, have a list of items prepared as suggestions when you call them, and mark off who plans to bring what.
• Don’t forget to decorate. Turn to sites like Pinterest or party planning sites to look for festive fall decoration ideas. You might choose to purchase some items or you can find some time with the kids to create DIY Thanksgiving decorations that will be a fun talking point during dinners. Popular decorations include turkeys, fall leaves, cornucopias, barns, cornstalks, and more!