MY MEDALLION
Fall has arrived, and with it comes the Thanksgiving weekend; where family and friends gather to give thanks for everything they have. If your family and friends have suddenly decided that you will be hosting this year, we have some helpful hints on planning a last minute Thanksgiving to help you successfully pull it off.
Speed Clean
If your family has suddenly decided to designate you as the host this year, you may feel like there is no time to clean. Instead of stressing over your entire place, do a quick speed cleaning and focus only on the areas your guests are likely to see. Prioritizing common areas like the kitchen, dining room, and living room will save you time, allowing you to complete other, more important tasks.
Prepare a Simpler Meal
The traditional turkey dinner is a popular meal for Thanksgiving, but if you just don’t have the time to prepare it, forego the turkey and make something else that everybody loves. Meals like ham or roast beef are fancy and don’t take as long to prepare, and pre made salads and sides can save you a lot of time, but still provide a large feast for all of your guests. If you are planning last minute, a simpler meal will allow you to relax and enjoy, rather than stress about time.
Offer Minimal Drink Options
When you are pressed for time, it is easy to forget about drink options. Keep it simple for last-minute planning and focus on one or two simple drink options that compliment your meal nicely. If your guests have an eclectic taste, encourage them to bring their own drinks and share with everyone. Not only will this provide your guests with more options, it will also encourage socialization.
Get Creative
Part of setting the mood for a Thanksgiving dinner is incorporating an element of fall decor. For the perfect last-minute decor don’t be afraid to get creative. Use items you have around the house or create your own decorations using pine cones and leaves. Whether you purchase a pumpkin or two to use for your centrepiece, or you use pine cones for placeholders, there are many ways to be creative with Thanksgiving decor.
Consider a Potluck
A simple way to save you time and relieve a bit of the workload from your shoulders is to offer a potluck style dinner. Assigning each of your guests a different side or main dish will ensure that you do not get doubles of anything, and it will take a significant amount of work off your list of things to do to prepare. Trying a potluck dinner will allow you to focus more on tasks like setting the table nicely and decorating.
When you are pressed for time, hosting a Thanksgiving dinner can be stressful. Following these tips will not only guarantee that you can successfully host, but it will also allow you to enjoy the holiday, despite your last minute planning. For more ideas on last-minute Thanksgiving planning visit the Medallion Blog.
