10 Tips That Simplify Preparing A Thanksgiving Meal

I love Thanksgiving. But if you in charge of preparing the “big” Thanksgiving Meal at your home, it can be stressful. Here are 10 tips you can apply now to help you simplify your Thanksgiving Preparations.

1. Make a plan. Take 20 minutes and map out what main dishes, side dishes, and desserts you are going serve.

2. Buck Tradition. You know what is important on Thanksgiving? Being together with friends and family. Notice, I didn’t say a turkey or ham. If your family doesn’t like the traditional meals, then buck it. A taco bar or baked potato bar is just as fun, less stress, and everyone will get full.

3. Delegate. Does Aunt June make a killer green bean casserole? Ask her to bring it. Have a family member that can’t cook their way out of a paper bag? Ask them to bring beverages.

4. If you can’t delegate, embrace the pre-made. Not a good baker, buy rolls. Can’t cook a turkey, buy one. Don’t make pies, buy Whole Foods Pies. (Seriously, on the Whole Foods Pies…I’ve NEVER had a better pie EVER. Best pumpkin and chocolate pecan pie ever made.)

5. Buy ahead. Buy all of your staple goods two weeks before Thanksgiving. You’ll still be able to take advantage of the sale, but you will avoid the crowds. You will still need to go to the store to purchase your fresh goods, but it will be a much smaller trip and one that can be tackled easily.

6. Make ahead. Several dishes can be made ahead. Mashed Potatoes? Boil them now and then freeze. Reheat in a crock pot the day of the Thanksgiving. Desserts? Make ahead and freeze.

7. Utilize your crock pot to save stove space. Did you know you can keep bread warm, make sweet potato casserole, and reheat mashed potatoes in the Crock Pot? Using your crockpot allows you to save stove space.

8. Rent your table lines, flatware, and tableware from a Rent-All Store. You’ll pay under $10 for a clean, freshly pressed tablecloth. And around $1.50 a place setting for dishes and silverware. The best part…you don’t have to do dishes. They expect them back dirty. 🙂

9. Create your centerpiece  and set your table now. There are so many cool ideas on Pinterest for Thanksgiving Centerpieces and many of them include items that can be bought and assembled now. And if you are looking for a simple design, a cornucopia with fall fruits and vegetables or a “ThankFul” jar are always big hits. And most likely you are going to have dinner in the “Dining Room” that no one ever uses anyway – go ahead and get it set up now, so you don’t have to worry about it later.

10. Have fun. If you are stressed out, your guests will be stressed out. If you are in a party mood, so will your guests. And having everyone in a good mood, means less drama if something doesn’t go quite right.

PS: I’ve hosted over a 100 gatherings at my house and I never stress out about entertaining because I follow these simple rules.

Happy Thanksgiving!