How to Host Thanksgiving Dinner Without Losing Your Sanity

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Make a list of what you want to serve and pull together all of the recipes that you will need. This should be done several weeks before Thanksgiving. Be sure to include traditional family dishes; call your relatives if you don’t have the recipes for these. Also check out your cookbooks and the internet for turkey, side dish and dessert ideas.
Step 2

Decide whether you want to prepare all of the dishes yourself or assign several of them to other family members. Most people are more than willing to help, and many of them will ask what they can bring when you invite them. Take advantage of this! You can ask them to bring a specific dish and give them the recipe, or just give them a general category, such a dessert, and let them choose what to bring.
Step 3

Once you have made any food assignments, look at the recipes that you will be preparing. Make a shopping list of the ingredients and note how much time you will need to prepare each one. Don’t forget the drinks and condiments. Divide this list up into ingredients that you can pick up early and ones that need to be fresh. For the best selection, purchase as much as possible several weeks ahead of time.
Step 4

Now you need to consider how everything will be set up. Do you have enough chairs at your dining room table to seat everyone? If you have a large family, you may need to set up more than one table. We have always set up a small table for the kids next to the main table. Also, decide where the food will be served. Do you plan on setting up the food in the center of the dining room table, a buffet or the kitchen counter? Make sure you have enough tablecloths, napkins, plates, glasses, silverware and serving dishes. If necessary, you can borrow or rent what you need. Make a list of everything that you need to do and check it off as it gets done.
Step 5

Also, decide what kinds of activities you will do after dinner. You could watch football, watch movies, play board games or play games outdoors. Consider what your family likes to do and enlist your kids and spouse to help come up with ideas. Let your spouse and children be in charge of preparing the entertainment.
Step 6

A week before Thanksgiving, pull out your shopping list again and buy the rest of your ingredients. Also, confirm with your guests that they will coming and will bring what they are assigned to bring. This is a great thing to delegate to your spouse or an older child.
Step 7

A few days before Thanksgiving, look at the foods you will be making and how long it will take to make them. List the dishes in the order that you will make them, keeping in mind how much time they will take and the amount of oven and stove top space you have. Make any last minute adjustments to the menu. Remember that if you buy a frozen turkey, it will need several days to thaw, so make sure you take that into account.
Step 8

Do as much of the preparation you can the day before Thanksgiving; chop the vegetables, measure the dry ingredients and put them in labeled zip lock bags, set out your pots, pans and spices. Some dishes can be prepared completely the night before.

While you are prepping the food, have your spouse and children clean up the house. Offer them a special treat to help motivate them. I’ve found that assigning specific jobs to each person is more effective then just telling them to clean up. Your family can also help prepare the ingredients. Double-check to make sure that you have everything that you need. Many stores are closed on Thanksgiving so this may be the last chance to purchase anything that is missing. Don’t forget to set up the tables. Once everyone is finished, inspect their work, make any adjustments and then relax and enjoy the treat together. Remember that everything does not have to be perfect! Get to sleep early; tomorrow will be a big day.
Step 9

On Thanksgiving morning, prepare your dishes in order and cross them off as you finish them so that you don’t forget something. Have your family set out the dishes and help whenever possible. Assign your spouse or an older child to keep any young children entertained and out of the kitchen. Expect that something will go wrong, but if you stay calm and focused a fix can usually be found. The purpose of Thanksgiving is to have fun with your family so don’t worry if everything is not perfect. When you are done, sit down and relax for a bit. If your guests have already started to arrive, politely excuse yourself for a few minutes. It is important to take a breath, collect your thoughts and change your focus from chef to host.
Step 10

Cleaning up after Thanksgiving can be overwhelming so accept any offers of help that you get. When it is all over, congratulate yourself and thank your spouse, children and guests. You have done it! Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner can be exhausting. However, if you take the time to plan and stay organized, you can put together a fantastic feast and have fun doing it.