Erika Wassall, the Jersey Farm Scribe here with Thanksgiving party tips to save you time and money. I know, I know, it’s only November 11th, and many people don’t start planning Thanksgiving until a week or so in advance. But this really is one of those holidays that pre-planning can save a LOT of time, and even money. So if you are hosting Thanksgiving this year, consider these Thanksgiving party tips a life saver and go ahead and read them to help things fall smoothly into place. From Thanksgiving Holiday Safety Tips to food and party planning tips, we’ve got you covered!
How Do You Throw A Fun Thanksgiving Party?
Thanksgiving can be a truly memorable and joyful holiday with a little planning to make it fun and engaging for everyone. First, consider safety, then consider food and lots of it! Finally, consider some light Thanksgiving activities and entertainment!
Thanksgiving Holiday Safety Tips
Thanksgiving can be a wonderful time for family and friends, but ensuring safety is essential for an enjoyable holiday. Here are some tips to keep everyone safe:
1. Travel Safety
- Plan Ahead: Check traffic and weather conditions before traveling, and allow extra time to avoid rushing.
- Avoid Distractions: If driving, avoid texting or using your phone, and have a designated navigator if needed.
- Buckle Up: Make sure everyone in the car, including children, is properly restrained.
2. Food Safety
- Thaw Turkey Safely: Thaw the turkey in the refrigerator, not on the counter, to avoid bacteria growth.
- Store Leftovers Properly: Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of serving to prevent foodborne illness.
- Reheat Thoroughly: Reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C) before serving.
- Encourage Hand Washing: Place hand sanitizer around and encourage everyone to wash hands regularly.
3. Kitchen Safety
- Stay Alert: Don’t leave cooking food unattended, especially when using the stove or oven.
- Child and Pet Safety: Keep children and pets out of the kitchen while cooking, especially around hot surfaces and sharp objects.
- Safe Handling of Raw Meat: Wash hands, cutting boards, and utensils thoroughly after handling raw meat, and use a meat thermometer to ensure turkey is cooked to at least 165°F (74°C).
- Fire Safety: Have a fire extinguisher nearby, and keep flammable items (like kitchen towels) away from the stove. Ensure smoke detectors are functioning and change batteries if needed. Don’t leave burning candles unattended.
Thanksgiving Party Planning Makes For A Better Experience
Really PLANNING out a shopping list and not rushing to get everything in one day can save money because you can shop the sales more. And instead of telling your relatives they can “bring whatever” or that “a dessert would be nice” giving them more direction with enough time to accommodate it can turn a stressful, kitchen-laden day into the family-time memories it’s meant to be. When you host Thanksgiving for a crowd, a little bit of planning with help make sure you can focus on having fun, not figuring out what is happening!
Give real assigned dishes to others
Generally speaking, most people actually ENJOY feeling like they’re bringing useful Thanksgiving dishes to the table. It makes them feel more a part of the holiday. And it doesn’t just have to be appetizers and desserts. Here are a few side dishes that any guest can easily make even a day or two beforehand and bring with them.
Don’t feel like it’s a burden. You’re hosting the holiday. They’ll probably be grateful to feel like they’re contributing.
Have them make a big tray in a disposable aluminum tray. Ask them to lightly warm it in the oven before they come (just do so it’s not coming cold). Then just cover with foil and pop it in the oven to warm up right before serving.
- Mashed potatoes
- Broccoli casserole
- Sweet potatoes w/ marshmallows
- Green bean casserole
- Carrot souffle
Really almost any side dish can be made beforehand and then just warmed up.
Have a timed out plan for the oven
Sometimes we tend to forget that we only have ONE oven and it only has so much space. Really sitting down and timing out what goes in when can save you from a sudden uh-oh!
Personally, I like to have everything else already cooked before Thanksgiving. Then the day-of, I cook the actual turkey. When the turkey is done, it should really sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. At this point I put EVERYTHING else in the oven and let it warm up.
It helps me avoid the last minute crazy right before serving.
Make those adorable desserts as a kid project!
I LOVE this idea. If you love having that super cute dessert to display and snack on, make it a project the kids can do. It’ll take the responsibility off of you, AND give the kids something to do before dinner.
Between the older kids helping the little ones and the other parents supervising, it’ll be one less thing you have to worry about!
This cute acorn candies project I wrote about last year would work.
And here’s a link to a cute pilgram hat cookie project that the kids can help with.
Or these pilgrim hats from Taste of Home.
Make YOUR favorite Thanksgiving Dishes!
This one may be the most important. Don’t try to worry about what each person coming will want to eat. Focus on what you like to eat, and make. Fact is, usually the person who cares most about the food is the person who made it… even on Thanksgiving.
Games and Entertainment
- Thanksgiving Trivia: Make a trivia game with fun questions about Thanksgiving history, popular foods, and family traditions.
- Photo Booth: Set up a simple DIY photo booth with props like turkey hats, pilgrim hats, and funny signs for guests to snap photos.
- Talent Show: Give everyone the chance to perform a “talent” (a joke, dance, story, etc.), which can turn into a lively and laugh-filled show.
Conclusion
Making Thanksgiving fun is all about creating moments that bring people together, whether through food, games, crafts, or traditions that make the holiday special! Keep in mind that the holiday is not actually about side dishes, turkey cooking methods or if the apple pie has time to be heated up before Aunt Betty needs to leave. It’s about being together, laughing, and Not everything is going to go right, and really, sometimes that’s what family memories are all about.
I hope these Thanksgiving holiday safety tips help you make most out of your holiday and your family time. What additional Thanksgiving tips do YOU always use that help the day go as smoothly as possible?
Related Posts:
Thanksgiving Cooking Activities For Kids
Amy Boyington says
I think it’s a great idea to give kids a project or fun dessert to make! And I definitely agree with the plan for the oven. This is probably my biggest stressor every year, so in recent years I’ve begun to write down a tentative plan for what should go in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.
Crystal @ Castle View Academy says
I love getting the kids involved, what a great way for them to feel a part of everything (and not to take for granted all of the work that goes into the day).
Happy Thanksgiving!
andrea says
Thanks for these great tips! We like to turn cooking tasks into a competition, like a pie-decorating contest or seeing who can peel potatoes the fastest.
C. Lee Reed says
Totally agree with keeping the kids busy helping. They feel proud when they get to prepare food for everyone and you get to supervise them at all times. So they aren’t sneaking off to find those gifts you’ve hidden! Thanksgiving is a great time for family and one of my favorite holidays.
Laura P. says
I agree. Don’t be shy in asking guests to bring a dish. If I go to someone’s home for a holiday meal, I love to participate in the festivities by bringing a dish to share!