There comes a time, usually, in every person's life when they become in charge of Thanksgiving dinner.
It's a momentous occasion; a responsibility that shouldn't be taken lightly.
In case this year will be the first time you ever host Thanksgiving, The Takeout complied a list of 11 mistakes you MUST avoid.
1 – Don't mess with success.
You might think you need to change up the menu every year and offer something new and inventive to wow your guests, but on Thanksgiving, cozy comfort is the name of the game, and there's a good chance your guests are looking for a taste of the familiar.
2 – Do the baby math.
If you're unsure whether your niece needs a highchair or a regular chair, or whether your nephew is old enough to chow down on mashed potatoes, don't be afraid to ask. Parents will be grateful that you're considering their needs, and they'll be honest about what's easiest on their end. You don't want to end up with too little food on the table because you assumed half the kids were still bottle feeding.
3 – Be realistic about your pets.
It doesn't matter whether you own a dog, cat, rabbit, snake, parrot, guinea pig, or ferret—if there are animals in the house, they will find their way to the Thanksgiving food and likely sneak at least a nibble of it.
4 – Tell your guests specifically what to bring.
You might find it easiest to give everyone the same assignment: a bottle of wine, or the dessert of their choice. Or, if you have the organizational skills to keep track of inventory, you can make more customized suggestions, such as, "Oh, everyone always raves about your corn pudding—would you be able to make enough to serve 12?" This is a great way to make your guests feel valued, and to make Thanksgiving dinner feel like a collaborative effort rather than a solo performance
5 – Make a game plan for oven space.
At least a week prior to Thanksgiving, take all the pans and baking dishes you plan to use and try fitting them into a cold oven together to see what fits where. Remember, don't let the pans touch each other, which can cause hot spots and burns. When you've got that figured out, write down the order in which you plan to cook everything (along with oven temps and cooking time for each dish) so that all you have to do is follow the checklist on the day of.
6 – Keep every non-essential person out of the kitchen.
Even the biggest kitchens will feel a little claustrophobic on Thanksgiving, as your guests crowd in to see how everything's coming along and offer their help. As a host, the goal is to minimize kitchen traffic and preserve optimal maneuvering space. You're about to slice into a 20-pound bird, after all, and you need elbow room
7 – Make it clear where the garbage is.
You can always keep an industrial-sized garbage and recycle bin on your porch and direct people outside with their trash, too, or put up little signs designating garbage and recycling in the kitchen so people make a beeline for the trash without crowding the area. Remember not to let recycle bags get so overloaded with bottles that you can't lift it during cleanup later.
8 – Start the party with an open dishwasher and use it.
Before your first guests arrive, make sure the dishwasher is fully unloaded and ready to be inundated with dirty dinner dishes. This will require cleaning up as you cook, or at least assigning someone else to do so while you tend to the turkey and stuffing. The less overloaded your countertops, the more at ease you'll be when you open your door to the guests.
9 – Keep children entertained and mess-free.
You should absolutely offer something to entertain the toddlers in your crew, but stick to stuff like crayons, which can only break into so many pieces, or colorforms, which still manage to wow children of the digital age.
10 – Set up a buffet.
If possible, turn your kitchen counter (or a card table, or whatever surface makes sense) into a buffet station, letting people grab a plate and go to town straight from the baking dishes. This saves you the hassle of washing more serving ware, but it also lets people relax once they're seated, knowing they won't constantly have to be passing around dishes to anyone who wants seconds.
11 – Remember what really matters.
Thanksgiving is all about togetherness, right? Well, if you're all under one roof, you've accomplished that part.
Any more things you would like to add to the list?
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