TABLE TALK VOL 20

First Time Hosting Thanksgiving?
Well, Let's Plan the Best Thanksgiving Dinner Ever

So, it’s official...you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year! Whether it’s your first big family gathering or a cozy dinner with friends, planning your first Thanksgiving can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. But don’t worry, we're here to help, you’ve got this!

At Grace of Design, we believe, hosting any soiree should be fun and only a little stressful. With a little organization, creativity, and the right mindset, you can definitely plan a Thanksgiving that’s warm, welcoming, and full of memories for you and your guests.

So, let’s walk through some friendly, real-world tips to help you prepare for the best Thanksgiving dinner (while somewhat keeping your sanity intact 🤪).

Step 1: The Plan

Before you even think about turkeys or tablecloths, let’s take a moment to map out what you want your day to look like.

Ask yourself a few questions:

• How many people are you hosting? Remember, it's not how many you are inviting, but how many you are expecting.
• Are you thinking of a full multi-course dinner or a casual potluck meal?
• Will it be a sit-down, plated setup, or buffet style?
• Do you have any dietary restrictions to consider?
• Where's everyone going to eat? The dinner table? Scattered around cocktail tables, or wherever they can fit?

Once you have the answer to these questions, then sketch out your menu, guest list, and cooking timeline. Try to keep it simple; fewer dishes done well are far better than an overcooked turkey, undercooked stuffing, and a burnt apple pie! This is no time to live out your Martha Stewart or Meghan Markle dreams!

Grace Tip: Plan dishes that can be made in advance, like casseroles, cranberry sauce, or desserts. This saves time and will limit the chaos in your kitchen on the big day.

Step 2: Delegate and Ask for, and Accept Help

Keep in mind that even the best hosts don’t work alone. If guests offer to bring something, please say yes, thank you! But only give them easy items like beverages, appetizers, desserts, or ice. Yes, I said ice! Those drinks aren't going to cool themselves. Reminder that it's super important to keep the delegated dishes to items that won’t be missed if they arrive late or not at all.

Also, you're hosting, so don't feel bad about asking friends or family to help with setup, serving, or clean-up. Hosting is about community, and guests usually love feeling involved. Be sure to play some music, have some easy snacks, and make it a time to catch up and reminisce. It'll make the time go by quickly and feel less like work. 

Grace Tip: Create a simple checklist or group message to coordinate what everyone’s bringing. This prevents duplicates (no one needs three sweet potato pies, or five pitchers of spiked cider… probably, maybe 🤔).

Step 3: Prep Early and Work Backwards

The secret to a calm, confident host is planning backward from the set dinner time.

For example, if you want to serve at 5 p.m:

• Turkey in by noon
• Side dishes finishing around 4
• Table set by 2
• You dressed, relaxed, and maybe sipping a cocktail by 4:30 😉

Start prepping what you can as early as one or two days before - wash veggies, season meats, make glazes, sauces, gravies, bake pies, and set your table in advance. The less you’re doing on Thanksgiving morning, the more likely you are to stay on schedule and enjoy time with your guests.

Step 4: Create an Inviting & Welcoming Home

Your space doesn’t have to look like a magazine spread, nor does it have to be the size of a mini-mansion—it just needs to feel warm and welcoming. Your guests should want to come, sit down, get comfortable, and stay a while. Light scented candles or use diffusers, put on your favorite playlist, and add a few seasonal touches (a bowl of mini pumpkins or acorns, or fresh flowers (orange roses, berry branches, maple leaf branches) to match the décor and color scheme. Also, don't forget the other important spaces in your home, such as bathrooms, the entryway, and lounge areas. They need love and attention, too.

Grace Tip: Focus on comfort over perfection. Your guests are there for good food and good company, not to inspect your napkin folds! Also, your scented candles, diffusers, etc, should have a subtle fragrance so they do not compete with the delicious scents coming from the dinner to be served.

Step 5: Remember to Enjoy the Moment

Once dinner is served, stop and take a deep breath. You made it through! Enjoy the laughter, the mouthwatering food that you cooked (that's right, puff that chest out), the clinking glasses, and the stories being shared. This is what hosting is all about!

Things may not go perfectly (they rarely do), but that’s part of the charm. Even a slightly overcooked turkey becomes a funny family memory down the road. In the words of the great Maya Angelou, "...people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

Grace Tip: Step away from the kitchen once the meal begins. Be present. You’ve worked hard for this moment, so please enjoy it!

Common Hosting Mistakes to Avoid

1. Trying too much: Stick to what you know or can practice well in advance.
2. Forgetting to defrost the turkey: It takes much longer than you think, so remember it's - 1 day for every 4 pounds! Set a reminder on your cell phone, Alexa, Google, or iHome services so you don't forget. In this economy, no one has the money to buy a whole new turkey because the one you have hasn't defrosted in time.
3. Skipping a cleanup plan: Have foil paper and to-go containers ready for leftovers. Extra trash bags, paper towels, or cleaning cloths are easily accessible. And make sure that the dishwasher is already empty and ready to be filled at the end of the day/night.
4. Leaving décor for the last minute: Set your table the day or night before for peace of mind. Decorate the bathrooms and lounge areas, and set up the extra coat rack by the front door.

Next up, Setting the Scene

Now that you’ve got the planning and prep covered, stay tuned for our next post giving ways to design a gorgeous Thanksgiving tablescape and welcoming spaces throughout your home. We’ll dive into creative styling tips, floral ideas, and décor inspiration to help your table look just as amazing as your menu.

Until then, remember: the best Thanksgiving hosts aren’t perfect - they’re thoughtful and prepared. 💖