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.
While at times place cards can seem stuffy, I think they are great breaking the ice and gathering everyone around the table. They can also be a nice conversation piece if you decide to make them yourself. (Perhaps a paper turkey with the head cut out and your friends’ face put in its place? Hilarious!)
Have Fun!
Prior to any party, I spend the weeks ahead compiling a music mix that is fun and appeals to a range of tastes. I always have an upbeat one to listen to during cooking and prep, and a more mellow mix for dinner itself. Try to incorporate some of your favorites with oldies that everyone can hum along to. You can check out my selections here.
Instead of posing the standard “What are you thankful for?” question around the table, have guests write wishes for each other and drop them into a bowl. “You will be healthier than you have ever been this year” “You will go on an exotic trip.” It is a great ice breaker to see what people write and who ends up with each fortune.
Another idea is to have fun facts about Thanksgiving that you can scatter on the table for your own impromptu Trivial Pursuit. Here is a few you can use:
Q. What year did the Mayflower arrive in Plymouth, Massachusetts?
A. 1620.
Q. Were potatoes at the first Thanksgiving?
A. No. Irish Immigrants had not yet brought them to North America.
Q. Who said “No Citizen of the United States should refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day?”
A. Alexander Hamilton
Q. What was the pilgrims’ name for boiled-corn pudding?
A. Hasty pudding.
Q. What is the male turkey called? What distinguishes him from the female?
A. A tom. He is bigger and has more colorful plumage than the female.
Have board games available after the meal for those guests who don’t want to watch football. It is a great way to keep everyone entertained once the tryptophan has kicked in.
Last but not least, just because you are the host doesn’t mean you cannot have a good time. Thanksgiving is a great Holiday in that the goal is simply to be together. No one will remember a dry turkey or a soggy piecrust. A host who is calm and happy will make everyone feel at home, and that is truly something to be thankful for.