How to Make the Most Amazing Thanksgiving Ever!
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Turkey Day is almost here! And this year you should bring it up a notch! But you don’t have to stress. These are fun, simple ways to impress without the fuss!
I have some amazing tricks and tips to help make everyone at your dinner table feel like they are the most important person there. And they are.. they all are! That is the key… making sure you have something for everyone! Is this your first year hosting? Well, congratulations! It will be a lot of hard work but totally worth it. Plus this list will help you pull off one spectacular Thanksgiving dinner!
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it focuses on what’s important and what we are grateful for. For me it’s all about family! What are you most grateful for? Just remember that as you are preparing for this delicious holiday. My best tip is to try to relax and enjoy it! The host deserves to have fun too!
Make a Beautiful and Inviting Space-
Before anyone even tastes a bite of that scrumptious new pumpkin pie recipe you are trying out, they will enter with their eyes. So make your home look welcoming to guests! One great tip is to pick a color scheme. It will help you when you are decorating (less stress when you know what you need) and will also be beautiful and calming to your guests. I love a monochromatic theme. That means only choosing colors in the same shade. It is a great way to make the space look super chic but also keeping it simple. It will immediately look like you spent a ton of time but without the effort. Here are some great examples of all white color theme! This is my favorite look this year.
Keep the Menu Simple *with a few surprises!
Everyone family has their favorites. You know what your family expects to eat on Thanksgiving! So keep those same traditions when you are hosting. Are your mashed potatoes lumpy? Ask family members to bring dishes. There is no reason that you have to do all the cooking and hosting! Don’t be afraid to ask for help…Also, pick one or two new recipes to add to the mix. Don’t try to reinvent everything. But a few new dishes will be fun and exciting to your family and friends. Try adding a scalloped potato dish in addition to the traditional mashed potatoes. If you really want to wow your family, impress them by showing how well you manage the day with a cool, happy attitude! That will always impress! Plus it will help them enjoy themselves even more… The best way is to get things done in advance. I know its way easier said than done… But it’s all the small things that leave you feeling stressed that day. So try to get as many of them done (or recruit the family and friends to help!) Here is a link to one of my favorite holiday tradition recipes that you may not have tried! Tell me yours in the comments below! Plus… see below for KID FRIENDLY FOOD OPTIONS!
Kid Friendly -
1. Games-
Have everyone put something they are thankful for in a jar before dinner starts while everyone is mixing and mingling. Then during dinner you can all go around and read one! And even if you don’t get through them all its a fun way to connect with your guests even after they leave.
Festive Holiday Print Outs and washable markers! Simple and easy way to keep the kids entertained.
Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt- Kids will love this idea, ready more click here.
Playdoh and Thanksgiving cookie cutters. I know my kids would love this craft! Here is a link to my homemade playdoh recipe.
2. Kid Friendly Food- The kids will love seeing all their family members and playing with all their cousins! But they need to eat too… If you have a picky eater you will agree that there needs to be a few kid friendly options. But if you don’t have picky eaters don’t assume all kids are like yours! It is SUPER easy to have some plain pasta and/or chicken nuggets there for the little ones that are less adventurous eaters. Turkey and mashed potatoes may not be something they enjoy and that’s ok! They’ll learn to… Jokes aside, moms and dads just want to make sure their kids have eaten.
Dessert Bar… Stand out!
I love the idea of having a dessert bar but the hard part is where to have this while you are serving all the other food. So the trick is to have an area in the fridge or on the counter where everything is already prepared on the trays so that when it’s time to serve, you can just pull them out. If it’s a pie, put the pie cutter with the pie in the fridge. I also love the idea of asking everyone bring a dessert that way you know there are options. BUT the best way to to make this dessert bar AMAZING is to have a DIY Irish Coffee Bar. Brew a pot of coffee and have a bottle of Bailey Irish cream. Put out whipped cream and have a small bowl with a spoon to drizzle on crushed candy cane. This is a perfect way to end the night! Another fun idea is having a pie a la mode table. I love having pie on Thanksgiving. Don’t you? Something about pie on this day just go hand and hand. So I love having a few pie options (try to serve them warmed too to make them even yummier) Then have a few different ice cream flavors. It’s simple but leaves a lasting impression. For the less adventurous kids, just have simple cookies or bowl of fresh fruit.
Here are some great ways to have an awesome Thanksgiving that the whole family will remember throughout the year!