This year, for the first time ever, I am hosting Thanksgiving at my place. A daunting task, when you consider that I will soon have a sit-down dinner for fifteen people in my studio sized loft, a challenge which has never been attempted. I, however, am not worried at all because I have taken the necessary steps in planning to make sure it all goes off without a hitch. I have collected advice from the most knowledgeable of sources: cookbooks, Martha Stewart, and my mother. I have also drawn from past dinner party experiences. With a catering background, an obsessive party planner’s mind and a deep and profound love for the Holiday, I think this year will be an event to remember. Below, I share my research and some invaluable tips on how you can host a Turkey day with ease.
Plan Ahead!
Shopping
At least a few weeks in advance, decide who is making what, what the menu will be, and what groceries you will need. Then compile a master shopping list that you can add to as new dishes pop up or you discover a great recipe that calls for specific ingredient. About three days prior to the big day, order it all from Fresh Direct. I know this may seem like cheating, but you’d be surprised what avoiding that long checkout line will do for your stress level. Thanksgiving is about being with family and friends, not pushy strangers crazed with remembering to get enough sweet potatoes.
Cooking
I tend to be a “Do-it-yourself-er” when it comes to throwing parties. If people insist on bringing something I usually assign them to wine or beer. Thanksgiving happens to be the exception, for some reason it brings out the cook in everyone and to be the sole cook in attendance would almost be insulting to your guests. Let people sign up for sides and desserts to take some of the weight off your shoulders. That said, be prepared to have enough food in case someone backs out at the last minute.
Take a page out of the caterer’s book and create a prep list with every single dish on the menu, marking the ones others are bringing with parentheses. Then, determine which dishes can be made the day before. Pie crust, cranberry sauce and some hors d’oeuvres like spiced nuts can be made ahead of time, and benefit from a little time left to rest. While were on the subject, don’t overlook the benefit of having snacks before the big meal. A cheese plate and some nuts can work wonders in the event that the turkey needs a bit more time. Dinner rarely comes together at the exact hour you had planned. You don’t want your guest to be waiting with the aroma of a delicious meal and nothing to munch on.
Setting the Table
It seems simple enough, but if you plan on having a beautiful festive table, be sure to lay everything out the night before. That way, your creativity can flourish at a time when you are not rushed and covered in flour. Buy and arrange flowers two days prior and on Wednesday arrange all your seating, tablecloths, fold napkins, and make place cards. Set out your serving dishes, each with a post-it note assigning what food goes in each dish. Be sure to have extra serving spoons for the dishes your guests are planning to bring.
Getting Ready
The day before, double check that you have everything you may need. Be sure that there are enough hand towels and toilet paper in the bathroom, ice in the freezer and room in the closet (or bed) for guests’ coats. Sharpen knives and empty the dishwasher. If you start with a glistening clean kitchen it will be easier to keep it that way as the cooking festivities ensue. Schedule in some time about an hour before guests arrive to get yourself ready. Waiting until that last fifteen minutes to tear off your apron and slap on some lipstick will only make you more frazzled. When you are all beautiful, resume cooking, uncork wine and set out cocktails so guests can help themselves as they arrive. The beauty of having a prep list is when someone asks to help you, can have them read the list and see what needs to be done. That way you don’t have to stop what you are doing to assign tasks.
