A Fuss-Free Thanksgiving: Simple Ways to Stay Organized and Enjoy the Day
Thanksgiving can be less stressful and less messy. You can enjoy your time with your friends and family by keeping it simple. It’s all in how you organize your preparation and meals. Here are a few tips on making your day fun, festive, and fuss-free Thanksgiving.
Beverage station
Make it easy for you and your company to help themselves. Set up a beverage station with ice, your choice of adult and kid beverages, and glasses. If it’s a cool day, you may decide on a hot cider with a ladle and mugs, too. Place your station in an area that will bring traffic away from the kitchen and into a gathering spot.
Nibbles
Take a tip from Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa, and Sandra Lee, Semi-Homemade, and have a few nibbles out before the main meal. It will keep kids and adults from being underfoot in the kitchen. A Thanksgiving charcuterie and a bowl or two of nuts is a great starter for the holiday meal. If anyone wanders into the kitchen, put them to work chopping!
Disposable plates
There’s already a lot to wash and dry, so why not go with biodegradable dishware for the day? Available from LeafNFiber, these lovely plates will add to the natural decor of the day and make clean up easy.
It’s all about timing
Make a list of what’s for dinner. After this, create a timeline for what goes into the oven at what time. If your list is the same each year, consider creating this in digital form in Notes, Notion, or Evernote or a notebook to keep and save. Lower your cognitive load by referring to the list throughout the day.
Add entertainment
Everyone’s stress level goes down with a soundtrack. Have a guest create a playlist as a backdrop for the day. A family game or a walk after dinner brings out the conversationalist in everyone. Our family’s favorite game is Do You Really Know Your Family.
Leftovers
Plan ahead to keep and share leftovers. Purchase inexpensive plastic ware to give away as leftovers leave. Everyone loves this gift!
Go team!
Take a trick from football and other team sports that are on television on Thanksgiving. Get your team in gear. That means everyone has a part to play or a job for dinner, clean up and other activities. There are many small jobs that can be done throughout the day, including ones specifically for your kiddos. Help everyone pitch in by giving everyone something small to do to be a part of the festivities. The best Thanksgivings are when everyone brings a favorite dish. You divide up your list and share it with those who are joining the feast.
What ways do you make it a fuss-free Thanksgiving at your home?
I love having containers for leftovers. College kids especially want to take some of that good stuff back with them!
@Seana – And you never worry about getting them back!
I have go-to recipes for dishes you can start ahead of time, like my savory bourbon gravy which you make the base a day or two prior, then finish with the pan drippings. My bourbon cranberry compote can also be made ahead and compliments the rest of the meal nicely. My family brings their own containers!
Great idea! I like these make ahead recipes to make your day much easier!
I like the idea about making a playlist. We do that every year too. Thanks for sharing.
I love the idea of bio-degradable dinner plates. Saves on clean up and good for the environment too! Thank, Ellen.
Disposable plates & silverware, as well as leftover containers are must for any party – but especially during the Holidays! With 30+ people at our family gatherings, if I had to wash every dish and utensil I would never leave the kitchen.
This really streamlines the day!
And they are so stylish!
@Sabrina – don’t we all love the sounds of the season!
Yum! We need a recipe swap!