Hosting your first Thanksgiving Dinner can be a hectic time. There are a million things to get done before the event begins, and it’s especially overwhelming when you’ve never been in charge before.
As challenging as it may seem, there’s no need to stress. We’ve got you covered with six tips for a successful evening.
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1. Quality Is Key
Even if you don’t have the money for fancy ingredients, that doesn’t mean your meal has to taste low-budget. Sometimes, all it takes is the right tools, a working oven, cookware for induction cooking, and a quality knife set to turn your meals into masterpieces.
Cheap ingredients can be made into wonderful meals too. Cans of green beans can easily replace fresh ones, especially if cooked into a casserole. Work with what you have and it’ll taste great so long as you prepare it with love.
2. Practice Makes Perfect
It may seem silly to practice cooking a turkey, but movies featuring a burnt turkey as a plot point exist for a reason.
So, practice, practice, practice, until basting is second nature.
After all, practicing is the key to mastering any skill, and cooking is no different. No matter your skill level, the hundredth turkey you cook will be easier and better tasting than your first.
3. Put Your Own Spin on it
Who said Thanksgiving had to be strictly traditional? If you want to experiment with your recipes, go for it! There are plenty of ideas on websites like AllRecipes, FoodNetwork, and YouTube.
Your traditions are unique to you and your loved ones. Does your Uncle Ted have a famous cobbler? Maybe your Aunt Marie has a special coleslaw or side dish. Ask them to bring you some on the big day. If your loved one has a special dish everyone loves, have them bring it potluck-style. People will be happy to feel valued and included.
4. Prep Early
Prepping your dinner can make or break your good time. No one wants to be stressed at the last minute, rifling through the pantry in search of ingredients. So, the earlier you can start, the better. Instead of throwing things together at the last minute, prepare baked goods and other long-lasting dishes a few days ahead of time.
Did you know you can even buy your turkey in advance and freeze it? You won’t notice the difference in the taste, but you will be glad you picked up your turkey before that last-minute Thanksgiving grocery rush!
5. Decorate
On a day like Thanksgiving, decorating can be lots of fun, especially if you’re doing it with family. And here’s a secret: It doesn’t have to be expensive. You can make your home look like a harvest ball with inexpensive supplies and a little creativity.
Need some ideas? Check out some decorations on Pinterest. There are so many things you could do to decorate, from paper turkeys made out of handprints to complex turkeys made out of coffee filters.
6. And Finally… Relax
The more you stress yourself out or run yourself ragged, the worse you’ll feel. Even though you think you might be good at hiding it, if your guests are your loved ones, family, or friends, they’ll likely be able to tell.
So what do you do? Relax. Evidence suggests it’ll actually make you more productive than you otherwise would be.
Still, stressed? Remember, the internet is your friend. Consult your favorite search engine for help or advice if you’re stuck. Your problem likely isn’t a unique one, and in this day and age, someone’s probably already published a blog designed to help.
