It is hard to believe it, but the holidays are just around the corner and Thanksgiving is nearly here. Whether you are hosting a large gathering for extended family and friends, or just serving dinner for your immediate family, you probably want to do some preparation to make Thanksgiving day go smoothly. Do not fret—get started now and follow these Thanksgiving home prep tips to help your home look its best for the big day.
Household Prep Tips for an Easier Turkey Day
Prepare The Kitchen For Thanksgiving
Before you even plan the menu, take this opportunity to do some organizing in your kitchen. You will need additional refrigerator space, so now is the perfect time to clean out those questionable leftovers that lurk in the corners. Additionally, clean out your spice cabinet and pantry. You want to get rid of the old ingredients that will no longer be potent, and you can take inventory of some of the items you will need to purchase. Finally, see if you can create more room in your kitchen for guests to sit and talk while you cook, or even provide more counter space so you can enlist assistance. You will enjoy the day even more if you do not feel like you’re off working all alone most of the day.
Prepare The Dining Area For Thanksgiving
Look over that guest list and make certain you have table space, chairs and dinnerware for everyone. Now is the time to find out if you need to borrow a card table or some folding chairs to provide enough space. Also, decide how you plan to serve the meal. Will it be family style or buffet style? Making these decisions now can save a lot of running around on Thanksgiving. What are your plans for a centerpiece? If you are short on space, you may consider hanging some seasonal wall décor instead.
How to Prepare The Living Room
Chances are, before or after the meal your family will be gathering to watch football or the Thanksgiving parade, or perhaps just gathering for some fellowship. If this is the case, you want to do what you can to make your living room area comfortable for everyone. Do you have enough seating for everyone? If there will be a large number of kids, you may be able to set them up with a television and some board games in a spare bedroom or the basement, giving the adults more room to spread out. Simple décor is best, and you may want to set out some bowls of nuts or snack mix for grazing. Do not forget to provide coasters, so you don’t wind up with rings on your furniture!
Preparing The Bathroom for Thanksgiving Day
Your bathroom will be a busy place on Thanksgiving, so doing some preparation will make the day easier on you. A thorough cleaning will have it fresh and ready to go. Make sure you have plenty of hand soap and clean hand towels at the ready. Additionally, having a few extra rolls of toilet paper tucked away will save you from chasing that down on the big day. Finally, a cute fall decoration on the door makes it easy for guests to identify which door is the bathroom.
I hope you find these Thanksgiving home prep tips helpful. Some simple preparation will make your Thanksgiving Day much smoother, and allows you to concentrate on enjoying the meal and your guests. Remember, if your guests ask what they can do to help, allow them to do just that. You do not have to do it all alone.
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Robin says
I’m hosting this year and prepping in advance is definitely important in making sure the day goes smoothly.