Thanksgiving reminds us of large gatherings of people we love and delicious food.Don't let the fact that you are hosting stress you out and ruin the excitement of this time of year.You can learn how to host a Thanksgiving dinner from the guide.
Step 1: Who is planning on coming?
You should invite your guests at least a month in advance.If they plan on bringing any guests, call and find out who will be there.It's a good idea to find out if your family or friends are bringing their kids.It's important to know how many people are coming.If the big day came and you only had enough food to feed half your guests, it would be terrible.A shortage of food can make a family gathering tense.If you want to impress your guests, send them invitations.You can either buy invitations at the store or make your own.Your guests will get even more excited about your dinner because you took the time to do it.
Step 2: You can create a menu.
The great food can sometimes overshadow the original intent of Thanksgiving, which is to give thanks for everything we have.Everyone loves friends and family gathered around some really mouth-watering creations.While most families put their own touches on traditional dishes or even add non-traditional dishes, here is a list of some recipes to get you started.Images of golden birds sitting on beautiful tables have been bombarding you for weeks.You can also make your own golden bird.What would a turkey be without food?There is a link to make bread stuffing.mashed potatoes are a staple on T-Day.You can check out how to make awesome gravy while you are at it.You can use cranberry sauce to add a splash of red to your plate.Maybe you will get a little crazy and eat cranberry, turkey, stuffing, and potato at the same time.It is delicious.Let's not forget dessert.Go for the gold medal and make a selection of pies.
Step 3: It's a good idea to do a potluck-style Thanksgiving.
You don't have to slave away over a turkey, 12 side dishes and five pies if you are playing host this year.If you think you can handle turkey, three side dishes, and a pie, then you should ask your guests to bring other items.You can make the extra items people won't be bringing if you ask each family member/friend to pick a dish.If you are planning on having a Thanksgiving where everyone brings something, you may want to create a spreadsheet for yourself so that you can keep track of who is bringing what.
Step 4: Do your shopping.
It also means getting a new, fall-themed tablecloth, picking up an extra set of cutlery, or just buying decorations you think might be nice around the house.Write down the items you don't already have and go through every recipe you're going to use.Go through your cupboard and make sure you don't have any of those things.You may be surprised by what you find.If you want to make that awesome pie, you should buy apples the day before Thanksgiving.List everyone who will be at the event.Go through all of your utensils and crockery and make sure everyone has a spoon, fork, knife, and a glass.You might want to check the number of your glasses.Pick up what you're missing from your local store if you find yourself short on items.
Step 5: You can decorate your house.
You shouldn't wait until the day before Thanksgiving to bake pies because there are more important things to do.While you don't need to be crazy with the decorations, there should be cute touches here and there.You can decorate your front door.Place the squash in a basket or outside your door.The pumpkin you never got around to carving is a good way to use it.You can hang dried corn on your door.The dinner table should be decorated.You can give your table some extra flair, even though the food you will masterfully create may be decoration enough.There is a cute tablecloth.There are candlestick holders on the table.There are little touches of fall around your house.Fall-colored M&M's can be placed on the coffee table or in strategic places around the house.
Step 6: The day before Thanksgiving is a good time to start cooking.
If you are planning on baking pie, this is important.Turkeys and pumpkin pie filling will be hard to find once the holiday arrives, so make sure you have all the supplies and ingredients you need.If you decide to cook everything the day before, make a plan of what to put in the oven.You will need to plan a coordinated attack because most of the traditional Thanksgiving dishes get baked in the oven.Put the recipes that take longer to cook first.
Step 7: The table should be set.
It's important to set your table the day before your guests arrive because they won't be arriving until the next day.If you can't fit everyone at one table, bring in an extra table or break it out.Place all the plates, napkins, and utensils in the chairs.On the table, spacing each setting out so that the guests won't be bumping every time they go to lift a delicious bite to their lips.When setting the table, keep in mind which guests are right handed or left handed.Placing a rightie next to a leftie will result in two guests hitting each other all dinner long.
Step 8: Purchase flowers.
Having flowers in the house is always a nice touch.If you buy them the day before your dinner, they won't last.For an extra lovely touch, pick out bouquets that are fall-themed.
Step 9: Take care of your house.
If you're going to be invited to a messy house, make sure you tidy up the day before so you don't need anything for the dinner.Hire a cleaning service or get a family member to help you if you're short on time.
Step 10: The turkey should be in the oven.
Turkeys take three to four hours to cook.Make the rest of your side dishes and desserts while your turkey is cooking.Put the turkey in when your guests arrive at 4 pm.When your guests arrive, the house will be filled with the delicious smells of roasting turkey and you'll be done with it.You will have to carve the turkey when it's done.This is where you can learn how to do that.
Step 11: Make sure to finish any last minute projects.
Making sure there is enough beer and wine to go around is one of the things this means.If you don't plan on serving your items directly out of the dish they were cooked in, you need to check that you have enough serving dishes.mashed potatoes and stuffing can be kept hot at the same time by storing them in ceramic pots with lids.
Step 12: Appetizers and drinks to serve.
Light fare like cheese and crackers, olives, some nuts, and a friend or family member should arrive early.It will allow you an extra hour or so to finish up your last dishes if you give your guests Appetizers and drinks.
Step 13: The dishes should be brought to everyone's attention.
All of the dishes should be in a line so that each person can serve himself or herself.Enjoy the meal!