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You look forward to Thanksgiving each year. Whoever hosts always seems to pull it off without a hitch. Now, you are all settled in your brand new Ernest home, and you’ve volunteered to host this year. Before long, family and friends will gather to share laughs, recount past tales, and of course, indulge in the deliciousness of traditional holiday fare. 

With an abundance of room to mingle and lounge, your new home is the perfect space to host the big day! All you need is a little preparation and you’re on your way to your best (and tastiest) holiday yet. Take a look at our recipe for a smooth, easy dinner party:

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? 
• What’s on the menu? 
• Any dietary restrictions? 
• 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, the first thing you need to do is invite every single person you want to come. Even the last-minute types are likely to make Thanksgiving plans early in November, so start putting feelers out there ASAP. In the meantime, start thinking about where you’re going to put everybody. (Our flexible, open floorplans make this part soooo much easier!) 
• Be organized. Planning and organizing is imperative. It’s the only way to make sure you don’t find yourself with missing ingredients, a house that’s a mess, and hours of cooking still to be done when your guests arrive. Start by making lists of everything you need to do, a schedule for the weeks leading up to dinner, and shopping lists before you head to the store for ingredients and supplies. Bonus! Lists let you see everything you need, and let you check things off. (Checking things off feels soooooo good!) 
• Set the menu. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, so you need to figure out what’s on the menu. Chances are your guests will want to bring things… you just have to tell them what you need. Once you have the menu set, start shopping for non-perishables (e.g. baking ingredients, bread cubes, herbs & spices), and make a corner of your pantry “Thanksgiving Central”. Having everything in one place will help you keep track. 

Pro Tip: If you’re a first-timer, start slow (especially if you’re not an experienced chef)! Enlist family and friends to help out and choose easy recipes. (This is no time to experiment!) There’s nothing wrong with buying dinner components from a restaurant or market. If you opt to do this, you can always bake a simple dessert or put together an appetizer. 

• Cook in advance. Don’t stress out by trying to cook everything on Thanksgiving Day. Create a timeline, and figure out what can be made ahead of time. Casseroles can be premade. Vegetables can be chopped and ready to steam. Some things can’t be cooked early, like the turkey, but almost everything else in the meal can be prepped and ready to just pop on the stovetop or into the oven. Let’s put that brand-new gourmet kitchen to work!
  
  

Freshen Things Up

It may seem obvious, but make sure everything is clean. Dust, vacuum, polish silverware, fluff cushions and pillows, and wipe down tables. Don’t go too crazy with the festive flair. In fact, little touches (like painted pumpkins on your front step or entryway table) sometimes make the biggest impact. Scented candles are a timeless go-to. 

With aromas like pumpkin chai or cedarwood and mahogany, this simple addition spreads happiness throughout your entire home, no matter where you place them. Seasonal table settings, a beautiful, festive centerpiece, or flowers and hors d'oeuvres in the living room before the meal are other ways to get creative. 

Set Up In Advance

Establish your dining space (formal dining room, flex space, even the family room). Figure out if you’re having a sit-down meal or a buffet-style repast. Then, as long as you don’t have to worry about pets or small children upsetting things, set everything up days before the event. 

That way you won’t be scrambling to find the serving dishes that are tucked away somewhere; cleaning the dust off the extra wine glasses that are on that high shelf in the kitchen; trying to figure out where the folding chairs are; and counting the flatware only to discover you don’t have enough right before the first guest rings the bell. 

Finally, stow any precious items that hyper (but oh-so cute!) children might get to.  

Prepare For Post-Dinner

Of course, your focus is on the big meal, but a few simple acts will ensure that post-dinner will be just as easy and enjoyable as the dinner itself. 

Empty the dishwasher and trash bins to prepare for cleanup, and line your trash bins with more than one bag so that you have a fresh ready-to-go when the first becomes full. Lastly, stock up on plastic food storage dishes so that you can send your guests home with any leftovers!

The Big Day

Serve a festive drink. Give your guests something to smile about as soon as they walk in! Whether you love warm, cider-based drinks, something fruity and fizzy, or classic wine with a kick, find a holiday cocktail to start the fun. (This Cranberry Champagne Cocktail is easy to make, fun to sip, and absolutely beautiful.) Prepare these drinks ahead of time so everyone receives a “party favor” when they walk in. 

Offer snacks before dinner. Tasty appetizers benefit the cook as much as the guests. Bowls of nuts, crackers and cheese, and trays of crudité or hot apps scattered throughout the family room, living room or rec room will keep them busy munching while you finish up!  

Keep the kids entertained. For children, it seems like Thanksgiving dinner takes foreveeeer to land on the table. Keep ‘em occupied with games out in the yard, movies up in the loft or craft projects in the rec room. 

Above all, relax and enjoy. Let your guests marvel at the spaciousness of your new Ernest home, while you perform culinary magic in your new kitchen! Connect with us if you want to learn more about our holiday-friendly homes.