Repost from November 21, 2016. Never too early to begin your holiday planning! Hope this is encouraging and helpful!
Thanksgiving is very soon. I am just now starting to really plan for our family gathering.
It is for the weekend and includes Amy’s birthday. All 5 kids, including DIL and SIL with grandkids will be here. Our special bonus guest is Jessica’s mom.
Thanksgiving is very soon. I am just now starting to really plan for our family gathering.
It is for the weekend and includes Amy’s birthday. All 5 kids, including DIL and SIL with grandkids will be here. Our special bonus guest is Jessica’s mom.
Celebrating in our new dining room with the extra space is something I am looking forward too! No more squeezing or elbow bumping!
So why do I plan so much? It keeps the stress at bay for me. That is a benefit.
I like to love on my family and guests. Using my creativity for decor, the table and food is how I do that. It is an act of love and consideration for my family and friends.
Don’t you love to feel like you are being pampered as a guests?
Don’t you enjoy the specialness of holidays?
Don’t you love to feel welcomed?
A prepared home is welcoming.
Having years of experience and a variety of guests as we crisis-crossed the globe I want to share a few basics I include in my planning every year.
#1 Who am I going to invite?
For some, it is a no brainer. Family. When you have married kids, they have in-law family so there has to be some compromising and planning for that. Generally, we flip between Christmas and Thanksgiving. Since one of our sons is single, we consider his situation in planning locations.
Because we have lived in many places, it was not uncommon to have holidays without family. One of our memorable guests was an elderly retired missionary I had as a Bible study teacher. She was delightful. Newly arrived refugees joined us another. Coworkers who will not be joining their family can be included.
#2 Where will the turkey come from?
Last night over dinner with friends we had discussions on the merits of fresh or frozen.
Overseas in Asia it was a major focus. Not fresh or frozen but would we be able to get one! Turkeys were not easy to come by! The hunt to find a place to order from had to be well in advance, like over a month. My first one in China came fresh, no doubt about it! It was plucked mostly. The head and feet and every other part were tucked in the cavity or tied on to the body. My helper was pleased to take all of those home with her after she saw me tossing those parts away.
I hear turkeys may be in short supply this year. Two years ago, we waited too late and didn’t get a a 22 pounder as usual. Not this year! We will need that big one!
#3 Plan the menu
With all the blog posts and Pinterest choices, this could be a daunting task. Begin with the basics and your traditional dishes first. Then add or modify.
Each year I have a new dish selection to our core basic menu.
We do like some Thanksgiving leftovers; however, I don’t want days worth!
If it is a pot luck, courtesy would say let folks know a week ahead what they should bring.
Appetizers or mini meals for the day are planned for and will be set out early. We graze! One year ago we had a pie revolt. Read about that here. Our family, will gather for the entire day!
It’s an old fashioned house party with family this year. Kids will be on couches and in the gallery. All the beds are full. I just love it!!
#4 Make the shopping list(s).
Include all ingredients needed for each recipe. Not having basics like sage and salt can really throw you off.
There are a lot of power shoppers out in force Thanksgiving week. Plan well! Try to go early leaving only fresh to buy that week. Take the list! Hope that keeps you and me from forgetting to missing needed items.
Don’t forget extra trash bags!
#5 Plan the table setting
Flowers from the local market or grocery store are nice. Candles add a touch of festivity. Are there enough plates? Silverware, serving dishes and cutlery?
I physically pull out the serving dishes and cutlery to insure I have what is needed. If not, buy, borrow or change your menu.
Are there enough dishes and glasses? Silverware? Borrow, buy or use sturdy plastic ware.
Serving dishes and baking pans? Don’t discount the advantage of foil and disposable pans.
Paper napkins are an easy way to add a festive colorful touch to your holiday settings. If you use paper plate please buy sturdy ones; it is so worth the extra expense!
#6 Make a timeline.
Timelines for everything! I include the prep and pies for Tuesday and Wednesday.
The printed out timeline is my guide for the day and weekend. Otherwise my mind would be jumping around and stressing me and everyone out!
I put it along with the menu of the day on the fridge (or chalkboard) for all to see.
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Why all this planning? When I am prepared, I feel more relaxed and comfortable. While every moment may not be smooth, it sure helps all of us enjoy the time together much better. I also include breaks for myself!
I heard years ago that is the French hostess thing to do!
Would you share your planning tips with us? We could all benefit.
maybe be linking at these lovely places
Linda, great suggestions! I host Thanksgiving and do all the cooking! It is physically tiring, but worth all the labor! Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Pam
It can be tiring. I do ask and get help! Having it all planned helps me do that. Plus we have some really good cooks in our family.
I love all the great suggestions and tips. I agree that planning ahead makes things easier .
I always plan ahead, it’s so much easier and less stressful that way. Love the planning tips.
Nice ,thorough list. I leave enough the cooking for guests to help. That way everyone feels a part. 🙂
Thanks! Totally agree, it is always nice to have help and be included!
Fun to visit your blog, Linda! And thanks for your comment on my Pursuing Heart facebook page. Hope your Thanksgiving is an extra memorable one. I agree with what you wrote … “A prepared home is welcoming”.
Our Thanksgiving is always filled with our families favorites. Makes planning quite easy. We usually throw in a new dish for fun. Also, I trade off between a frozen fruit salad and a fresh one that my mom always made. I make pecan pie that was my moms recipe and Coconut cream that was my mother in laws. All the recipes have been passed down from family. Right down to the stuffing. It is work, but oh how I love it! One thing that is nice, is that each of my (5) kids bring one of the side dishes. Makes it a big help for me! This year I will be cooking 2 turkeys. Going to have a house full. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Wow, 2 turkeys! I am in awe.
Thanks for sharing your tips! Have a happy Thanksgiving 🙂
Thanks for dropping by Sara! Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful this year!
Thanks for all the wonderful tips, Linda. I always seem to go into a flat spin when we have more than two people around and I know I have to feed them. Not my strong point I’m afraid. Love how you mentioned including co-workers and/or people who may not be lucky enough to be invited to a family Thanksgiving. That’s what it’s all about <3
Michelle, after literally decades of hosting friends and family I till make a list and often even a timeline otherwise I think I would meltdown! It helps with giving others tasks too. Hope these tips help you out when you host. And family bundles or rotisserie chicken is always an option! Happy Monday!
Great tips. I work best with lists on my phone. I keep a list for everything. As for who will be invited, well, it’s always the same people, so that part is easy. The menu – I’m always looking for new and intriguing recipes.
I do make list on my phone but still rpint timeline and menu out for the fridge so everyone including me know what to do when. I try to add a new dish every year but now with my daughter and DIL’s they bring something new and new favorites they have introduced! Check out this one. It’s from my newest DIL! https://bushelandapickle.com/autumn-carmelized-vegetables/ Happy Monday!
Every year I like to try to change it up! Your ideas gave me something to think about!
Hope it is helpful for a wonderful Thanksgiving for you and yours.
I definitely feel more relaxed when I am prepared! I’ve learned my lesson in throwing a dinner party & feeling rushed & frazzled- not enjoyable!
I know what you mean! Been there!
These are all great tips! I hope you have a great Thanksgiving with your family! Holidays with family make the best memories!
This is all great advice. Here in New Zealand we don’t celebrate thanksgiving but these tips are useful for planning any get together. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Carol. You are right; I do this for any gathering.
Great tips to get you organized for the holiday!
Thanks for dropping by. Organizing can make theose days better!
So many great tips, thanks for sharing.
Have a good day Antia and thanks for the vist.
So many great tips! I’m so excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
I am too! Hope the tips are helpful. Thanks for visiting Linda.
You’ve inspired me to start planning and be better prepared! Our gathering will be very small this year but no matter how big or small, being organized is everything. Thanks for the great suggestions! xo
You’re welcome Juliet. I do tend to plan for anytime we have company this way regardless of how many are around our table.
Thank you for sharing your experience and ideas to plan ahead. I really need all the help I can get 🙂
Makes for a better experience plus we all wander in and out of the kitchen for lots of talking and taste testing!
These tips are perfect. I love to plan ahead, Thanksgiving is by far my favorite Holiday! Have a wonderful one.
It’s a favorite of ours too! Happy weekend!
Great tips! Unfortunately we won’t be celebrating with anyone this year. Restrictions in NY are preventing travel and after the spring most people are very cautious about gatherings of any kind. I’m looking forward to setting a pretty table for us though, but we will miss our usual gathering of 30+.
Adjusting expectations for the holidays can be a challenge but with good results. Our daughter is at Syracuse where they test the studnets constantly! We’re counting the days until she makes it home. Hope your smaller holiday is a good one!
No matter if just us 3 or a house full, there always has to be planning and a schedule.
Without a doubt!