Hosting the Perfect Thanksgiving: Home Preparation Tips
You look forward to Thanksgiving each year. Whoever hosts always seems to pull it off without a hitch. Now you’re all settled into your brand new Ernest home, and you’ve volunteered to host this year. Before long, family and friends will gather to share laughs, recount favorite stories, and of course indulge in all the traditional holiday dishes.
With an abundance of room to mingle and lounge, your new home is the perfect place to host the big day. All you need is a little preparation and you’re on your way to your best (and tastiest) Thanksgiving yet. Use this “recipe” for a smooth, easy holiday gathering.
Plan Ahead
Organization is key, so a concrete plan will help you visualize your event. Grab your computer or a notebook and start making notes:
- How many people are coming?
- What’s on the menu?
- Any dietary restrictions to plan around?
- Which tasks can family or friends help with?
Then it’s time to get started!
- Invite early. The key to a stress-free Thanksgiving is to start early. Once you commit to hosting, send invitations to everyone you’d like to attend. Even the last-minute types tend to make Thanksgiving plans by early November, so put feelers out there as soon as you can. At the same time, start thinking about where you’re going to seat everyone. Our flexible, open floor plans make this part so much easier.
- Stay organized. Planning and organizing are essential. It’s the best way to avoid missing ingredients, a messy house, and hours of cooking still left when your guests arrive. Make lists of everything you need to do, create a schedule for the weeks leading up to dinner, and write shopping lists before each trip to the store. Checking things off feels incredibly satisfying and keeps you on track.
- Set the menu. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, so decide what you’ll serve. Guests will usually offer to bring a dish—just let them know what would be most helpful. Once the menu is set, start shopping for nonperishables such as baking ingredients, bread cubes, and herbs and spices. Designate a corner of your pantry as “Thanksgiving Central” so everything is in one easy-to-find spot.
Pro Tip: If you’re a first-time host, keep things simple, especially if you’re not an experienced cook. Enlist family and friends to help out and choose easy, reliable recipes. There’s nothing wrong with picking up a few dishes from a favorite restaurant or market and focusing your energy on one homemade dessert or appetizer.
- Cook in advance. Don’t try to cook everything on Thanksgiving Day. Create a timeline and decide what can be made ahead. Casseroles can be prepped and refrigerated, vegetables can be chopped and ready to steam, and desserts can often be baked the day before. While the turkey usually needs to be cooked day-of, almost everything else can be prepped in advance. Let that brand-new gourmet kitchen work for you.
Freshen Things Up
It may seem obvious, but a clean, tidy home makes a huge difference. Dust, vacuum, polish silverware, fluff cushions and pillows, and wipe down tables and counters.
When it comes to decor, you don’t have to go overboard. Little touches—like painted pumpkins on the front steps, a simple seasonal wreath, or a fall arrangement on the entry table—often make the biggest impact. Scented candles with aromas such as pumpkin chai, vanilla, or cedarwood can instantly create a cozy holiday atmosphere.
Seasonal table settings, a beautiful centerpiece, or flowers and hors d’oeuvres in the living room before the meal are other easy ways to add warmth and personality to your space.
Set Up in Advance
Establish your dining space—whether it’s a formal dining room, flex space, or even the family room. Decide if you’re having a sit-down meal or a buffet-style spread.
As long as pets and small children won’t disturb things, set everything up a few days before the event. Lay out table linens, dishes, serving platters, glassware, and extra seating. This helps you:
- Find serving dishes that may be tucked away.
- Wash or polish any items that need a little extra care.
- Locate folding chairs or extra seating well before guests arrive.
- Count flatware and glasses so there are no surprises at the last minute.
Finally, put away any fragile or sentimental items that curious kids might accidentally knock over while they’re having fun.
Prepare for Post-Dinner
Of course, your focus is on the big meal, but a few simple steps will make cleanup just as smooth.
- Empty the dishwasher before guests arrive so it’s ready to load after dinner.
- Empty trash bins and line them with more than one bag, so a fresh bag is ready when the first is full.
- Stock up on disposable containers or inexpensive food storage dishes so you can easily send guests home with leftovers.
The Big Day
Serve a festive drink. Welcome guests with a signature drink as soon as they walk in. Whether you love warm cider-based drinks, something fruity and sparkling, or a classic wine spritzer, a simple holiday cocktail or mocktail sets a celebratory tone. Mix a batch ahead of time so you can greet everyone with a glass in hand.
Offer snacks before dinner. Tasty appetizers benefit the cook as much as the guests. Bowls of nuts, crackers and cheese, and trays of crudités or hot appetizers scattered throughout the family room, living room, or rec room will keep guests happily nibbling while you finish last-minute tasks.
Keep the kids entertained. For kids, Thanksgiving dinner can feel like it takes forever to hit the table. Plan activities to keep them busy—yard games outside, movies up in the loft, or craft projects in the rec room.
Above all, relax and enjoy the day. Let your guests marvel at the spaciousness and comfort of your new Ernest home while you work your culinary magic in the kitchen. If you’d like to spend next Thanksgiving in an Ernest home, connect with us to learn more about our holiday-friendly floor plans and communities.
