How To Host Your First Thanksgiving Dinner

  • November 11, 2009
  • 6,524 Views

carlo_scialla from Carlo Scialla (and 4 others)

Howcast Original
Please install Flash

Stop stressing! These tips and tricks will help you pull together a fabulous celebration with minimal angst.

You Will Need

  • Adequate seating and tableware
  • Traditional favorite foods
  • Mini-pumpkins and gourds
  • Votive candles
  • A cleaning service (optional)
  • Two small turkeys (optional)
How To Host Your First Thanksgiving Dinner: Check logistics

Step 1: Check logistics

Figure out if you have enough chairs, seating space, and tableware. Borrow from friends and neighbors to fill any holes. Or check out a thrift store; if you don’t need or want it afterward, donate it back.

Throw some cushions on the floor around your coffee table and let little guests eat there.

How To Host Your First Thanksgiving Dinner: Call your guests

Step 2: Call your guests

Call your guests so you’ll have a handle on how many people are coming – and an excuse to fish for contributions. People often want to contribute, especially if it ensures that their holiday favorite will be on the table.

How To Host Your First Thanksgiving Dinner: Ask for help

Step 3: Ask for help

Don’t be shy about asking for assistance before, during, and after. You’ll need all the help you can preparing the food, getting your home ready, serving, and cleaning up afterward.

If your budget allows, hire a cleaning service a day or two before.

How To Host Your First Thanksgiving Dinner: Plan to have all the favorites

Step 4: Plan to have all the favorites

Honor traditions; even if you personally think that green bean casserole is disgusting and cranberry jelly out of a can a disgrace. If it’s important to someone, serve it – and let them take the leftovers home.

How To Host Your First Thanksgiving Dinner: Cook two birds

Step 5: Cook two birds

Consider cooking two small turkeys instead of one big one. They’re easier to handle, cook faster and more uniformly, and are more tender and juicy than a large, older bird. Plus, they provide twice as many drumsticks!

How To Host Your First Thanksgiving Dinner: Finalize your menu

Step 6: Finalize your menu

Finalize your menu and go shopping. Figure out what you can make a day or two ahead so that the big day is not such a rush. And remember: Now is not the time to attempt a dish you’ve never tried.

Plan on these per-person servings: 1¼ lbs. turkey, 1/3 c. gravy, ½ c. mashed potatoes, ½ c. of each vegetable side dish, ¼ c. cranberry dressing, ½ c. stuffing; two dinner rolls; and 1/8 pie.

How To Host Your First Thanksgiving Dinner: Make a simple centerpiece

Step 7: Make a simple centerpiece

Make a simple table centerpiece out of a bowl of small gourds and mini-pumpkins and line the table with votive candles. You’re all set!

The Pilgrims carried a supply of beer on the Mayflower, in part because it was safer to drink than water.

Something wrong?

Report This How-To

Cancel

Comments (1)

llaa79

Hello,everybody,the good shopping place,the new season approaching, click in. Let's facelift bar! ===== http://www.imadeshopping.com/ === Air jordan(1-24)shoes $30 ugg BOOT $50 Nike (R4,NZ,OZ,TL1,TL2,TL3) $33 Handbags(Coach lv fendi d&;g) $33 Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) $16 Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30 Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,Armaini) $12 New era cap $9 Bikini (Ed hardy,polo) $18 FREE SHiPPING http://www.imadeshopping.com/ Cheapest Max Shoes,Discount Brand Purses,Wholesale A&;F Clothing

2 months ago by llaa79

Reply

or to post a comment. Or, sign in using your Facebook to comment
and share your activity with your friends