Hosting Thanksgiving can be an extremely rewarding experience—it’s a wonderful chance to bring together loved ones and show gratitude, all over a smorgasbord of delicious food.
But, of course, playing the role of Thanksgiving host can also be intimidating, to say the least. No fear! Follow our Thankgiving tips to help make your small, intimate gathering a breeze.
It's All About the Prep
It's impossible to do everything at once, and by no means should you expect yourself to. Keep in mind that hosting Thanksgiving is a marathon, not a sprint. So, get started early!
At least two weeks ahead, begin by making a to-do list of everything you need to accomplish. That might include making your grocery list, going shopping, organizing all the cooking tools you’ll need, decorating, buying flowers, and more. You’ll find that if you are super organized from the start, it will be much less stressful (and maybe even fun) to check off each item on your list.
Write out a plan for what you're going to cook and when. It can be helpful to write out every dish you want to make along with the cook times, appliances needed, and temperatures so that you can get an idea of which dishes you can cook simultaneously. Don't forget about your microwave! Many delicious veggie dishes like Birds Eye® Cut Green Beans, Birds Eye Sweet Kernel Corn, and Birds Eye Cauliflower Florets can easily be prepared in the microwave, freeing up two more burners on your stovetop.
Think outside the box about what kind of equipment it might take to get everything ready on the big day. Warming plates are a great way to keep things toasty without taking up valuable space in the kitchen—plug ’em in anywhere! Cramped fridge? A cooler might come in handy for when it’s time to brine your meats and poultry. And don’t wait until the big day to dig around for the carving knife you stowed away after last Thanksgiving.
You also don’t want to wait until last minute to go grocery shopping, especially since you might have to make a couple stops. Try ordering shelf-stable groceries online to save yourself a little time at the store!
As you plan your meal, be courteous and consider those with dietary needs. Got a plant-based party member? Set and forget a batch of Slow Cooker Saus’age™ Stuffing made with Gardein® Original Breakfast Saus'age Patties, and serve Vegan Almond Apple Crumble Pie for dessert. Udi's® Gluten Free Stuffing also makes easy work of turning a classically carb-y dish into something delicious for any gluten-free diners.
You can set the table the night before—now’s your best excuse to eat in front of the TV! Plus, most desserts can be prepared at least a day ahead, so grab your Marie Callender's® Pastry Pie Shells and Duncan Hines® Pie Filling (or Duncan Hines Cake Mix, if cake’s your thing!) and enjoy a little gentle baking in the calm before the storm. Sauces, like cranberry sauce and gravy, also hold up well when prepped ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
Pre-Dinner Show
You’ve been busy planning for the meal itself, but don’t forget about the time before the main event! There's no need to stress about complicated appetizers, but consider having a few simple (yet spectacular) dishes out to munch on, like our Savory Tomato Baked Brie or our Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms. You’ll definitely want to have some fun drinks out, too—fill a slow-cooker with a batch of Hot Spiced Cider, or set out the ingredients for Caramel Apple Moscow Mules and let the adults serve themselves.
Have a few activities on-hand to help keep your family entertained (and out of your hair) while you're in the final stretch of your Thanksgiving cooking marathon. Encourage everyone to write what they're thankful for on some cards to share over dinner, or pre-bake some Apple Pie Spice Cupcakes for the kids to decorate. (Just keep an adult eye on them to make sure they don’t enjoy the cupcakes before the meal!)
Dish by Dish
It can be easy to get overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done when for Thanksgiving, but don't panic. Take deep breaths and give yourself permission to prioritize whenever possible. There are easy options to help you out! With effortlessly scrumptious side dishes like Marie Callender's Scalloped Potatoes in a Creamy Cheese Sauce with Ham, you can free up your brain to focus on other recipes, like a succulent Wish-Bone® Signature Brined Turkey.
Having a backup plan is also a great way to give yourself peace of mind. First time baking the big bird? Keep a delicious Plan B on hand, like a few boxes of Marie Callender's Turkey and Stuffing—just in case! That way you'll know that no matter what happens, there *will* be turkey.
Keep in mind, too, that you don’t have to do it all alone. It’s OK to accept (and ask for!) help. Ask others to make a dish or tag-team the cleanup at the end of the night. Thanksgiving is about supporting each other, after all.
Don't Forget the Kids' Table
In the hustle and bustle of preparing your Thanksgiving meal, it can be easy for the needs of your younger diners to get lost in the mix. Kids can definitely be picky eaters, so you'll want to have some tried-and-true favorites out on the table, like Marie Callender's Vermont Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
By the way, don't be afraid to get the kiddos on board, too! Not only will this give you a few extra hands, but it's a great way for them to get their wiggles out before everyone sits down. You can make an assembly line for bringing dishes out to the table, or even ask them to devise a fun way to call everyone to eat.
Dessert, Dessert, Dessert!
It’s one of the age-old Thanksgiving questions: Should you eat dessert right away? Whether you're down to dig in immediately or prefer to give your tummy a time-out, dessert is an essential part of any Thanksgiving dinner. Be sure to account for all the little things that make a dessert course come together, from small plates and cutlery to plenty of Reddi-wip® Original (or Reddi-wip Non-Dairy) to top everything off.
Of course, pie is a must. Marie Callender’s covers all the classic fall-time flavors, from Marie Callender's Dutch Apple Pie to Pumpkin Pie to old-fashioned Southern Pecan Pie. But definitely don't be afraid to get creative with your dessert fare. A gorgeous, fall-themed cake like our Gingersnap Spice Cake can shine on your Thanksgiving table.
Round out your dessert course with a little coffee, too, like our Barista Style Coffee with Sweet Foam. Paired with the Reddi-wip Barista Series, this tops things off with a sophisticated flair and provides one last moment of togetherness before everyone lays down for their turkey-induced nap.
Going the Extra Mile
There are tons of little extra things you can do to make your Thanksgiving sparkle—without adding too much to your plate.
Take your table, for instance. Including a few decorations is a great way to add that extra festive touch. Get fancy and whip out the candelabra, or just keep it simple: You can create an adorably rustic fall display with a few scented candles and nice bowl filled with mini pumpkins, pinecones, and apples. You can even set out a few photogenic desserts ahead of time, like our Glazed Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake.
Hosting Thanksgiving may seem like a Herculean task, but with a little planning and creativity, you'll be well on your way to making a lovely holiday for everyone at your table. Use these Thanksgiving tips to help you enjoy it for yourself. These are memories that you and your family will cherish for a long time to come.
