Hosting Thanksgiving dinner is a task that is equal parts rewarding and daunting for plucky first-timers and seasoned vets alike. Although our guest lists may be limited this year, you can still create a memorable dinner with members of your household.
Like always, the key to ensuring an enjoyable experience for your household is preparation – doing as much in advance as possible to keep Turkey Day running smoothly. To make sure you have everything you need on hand for the big event, we’ve drawn up a list of 5 things to include in the “Thanksgiving Dinner Prep” list. Take a look:
Once reserved for galas and other equally formal events, charger plates have recently become a trendy addition to a fully set dinner table. Serving a dual role of fashion and function, charger plates can aid in expressing a desired aesthetic while retaining heat in dinnerware and catching crumbs and spills that an overloaded plate might otherwise miss.
Keep your household hydrated by having enough glasses on hand. (Typically, a common error hosts make is assuming guests will only use a single glass.) Minimally, hosts should be prepared for each person to need one glass for water and another for wine or a cocktail.
You may already have a casserole dish, but do you have a platter for cranberry sauce? Big holiday meals like Thanksgiving dinner often require more family-style pieces of dinnerware than people typically use at one time. Our pro tip? Consider the dishes and utensils required to properly present and serve each food item while preparing the menu for the evening to cover off on all bases.
Time to address the most critical component to a successful Thanksgiving dinner: the turkey. Proper cooking techniques for this bird utilize kitchen tools most adults don’t touch on a day-to-day basis. Check to see if your kitchen is already home to a roasting pan, meat thermometer, turkey baster, and carving cutlery to avoid an unpleasant surprise on the big day.
Make sure the atmosphere is as delightful as the meal! Create a warm and inviting ambiance by weaving fall colors throughout the space. Display your decorative acumen with artificial flowers, mini pumpkins, or candles atop a burlap table runner to inspire a sense of cozy comfort as your guests gather together.
Need a few things to ensure your Thanksgiving dinner plans go off without a hitch?
Check out a Goodwill location near you to get the items you need.
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