Party Planning and More…

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be a daunting task, especially if you wait until the final days—or hours—to begin your planning. By being prepared and taking baby steps along the way, you’ll be able to pull off a spectacular event while barely breaking a sweat. So, just how do you pull off a fantastic dinner for which everyone will be lining up to give thanks? The same way you would eat a 24-pound turkey: one bite at a time.

Who’s coming to dinner?

Establishing a guest list well in advance is essential for efficient planning of your menu, seating arrangements, and food purchases. While it’s important to obtain an accurate head count, you’ll also need to consider whether any of your guests have dietary restrictions, require special seating, or will need overnight accommodations. Menus can be easily modified to include a no-sugar pumpkin pie, an unsalted bowl of mashed potatoes, or an onion-free pan of dressing, and dining room chairs can be made suitable for little ones by adding some boosters.
When planning your food purchase, here are some general guidelines to follow:

• Turkey: 1 pound per guest
• Mashed Potatoes: 1 potato per guest
• 8” or 9” Pie: 8 servings
• Gravy: ½ cup per person
• Rolls: 1-2 per person
• Side dishes prepared in 9 x 13 pan: 12-15 servings

Preparing your home

Fall is an excellent time to deep-clean and rejuvenate your home. When preparing for Thanksgiving guests, concentrate on the public areas that will see the heaviest amounts of foot traffic. Below are a few tips to get you started:

• De-clutter: Have a few boxes handy for packing up books, games, mail, and personal items. If little ones will be visiting, remove breakable or fragile items from public areas.
• Deep Cleaning: Begin at the top of the room and work your way down. Remove cobwebs from corners, and dust ceiling fans and chandeliers. In the bathroom, give the grout a thorough scrubbing and put up a new shower curtain liner. Schedule a carpet cleaning appointment, or rent a steam cleaner and tackle it yourself. Thoroughly clean and disinfect all hard surface flooring, paying special attention to corners and baseboards. After each room has had a deep cleaning, the final spruce-up will be a snap.
• Appliances: Clean your oven and refrigerator the weekend before Thanksgiving. Most self-cleaning cycles can take several hours, so plan to spend the day at home. Adjust refrigerator racks to accommodate larger loads, and place condiments you won’t need for Thanksgiving dinner in a small cooler. Free up additional refrigerator space by placing chilled beverages in coolers or in garages or basements.
• Guest Room: If you’re hosting overnight guests, freshen the spare bedroom with clean sheets and blankets and be sure to have additional towels and toiletries on hand.
• Entryway: Spend additional time sprucing up your porch, foyer, and front hall. Sweep the front steps, clean the door, remove all clutter, freshen up your welcome mat, and check to make sure all outside lighting is in working order. Affix a fall wreath to your door, or decorate your entryway with a “harvest scape”. Inside the front door, dedicate an area for guests to hang their coats, hats, and purses.
• Take Inventory: Make certain that you have the proper supply of baking dishes, dinnerware, serving spoons, gravy boats, serving pieces, and storage containers on hand. Inventory spices and baking supplies, foil and plastic wrap, and prepare a shopping list accordingly.
• Gather Supplies: Launder and iron linens, polish candleholders, and fill salt and pepper shakers. Insert the extra leaf in the dining table, and be sure to have table pads and trivets on hand. Sharpen the carving knives, and round up the turkey baster and meat thermometer.
• Prepare the Shopping List: After deciding on your menu, begin your shopping list. Read recipes thoroughly, paying special attention to required spices and seasonings. If freezer space isn’t a concern, avoid the crunch and buy your turkey well in advance.

Let’s talk turkey (and dressing, and mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie).

A frozen turkey takes time to thaw, so plan accordingly. If you plan to thaw it in the refrigerator (the recommended method), allow five hours per pound of thawing time. To speed up the process, you can also submerge it in cold water (be sure to change the water every 30 minutes to accommodate temperature changes). Cold water thawing takes about 30 minutes per pound. Never leave a turkey on a countertop to thaw. For cooking time and safe handling instructions, consult the USDA Thanksgiving fact sheet.

To help cut down on frenzy, prepare dishes ahead of time. Here are some time-saving tips from the professionals:

• Peel and dice potatoes, then place them in the cooking pan and cover with water. Change water prior to cooking.
• For macaroni and cheese, boil the macaroni the night before and refrigerate in a zip lock bag.
• If serving deviled eggs, boil eggs the night before.
• Cook onions and celery for dressing the day before, then refrigerate.
• Bake pies the night before.
• Prepare cranberry sauce up to one week in advance.
• For cornbread dressing, bake the cornbread up to two days in advance. For white bread dressing, cube bread and let dry well in advance and freeze until you’re ready.
• Most casseroles can be prepared and refrigerated in advance; increase cooking times to adjust for cooler start temperatures.
• Have a sink full of hot, soapy water and wash all prep dishes as you go.
• Line the turkey baking pan with foil, or use an oven bag for easy clean-up.
• Whenever possible, opt for pre-made items, such as piecrust, rolls, jarred gravy, and canned sweet potatoes.

If you will be having overnight guests, plan for a simple, light breakfast. As luck would have it, day-old bread works great for dressing and French toast.

Setting the table

Whether you’re planning a casual buffet or a sit-down meal, be sure to add a few special touches to your table. Folded napkins, candles, table runners, festive tablecloths, and a harvest-themed centerpiece are simple additions that will add elegance to the feast.

Sit back and relax

Now that the work is behind you, allow yourself to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Reflect on the spirit of the holiday, and take time to reconnect with family and friends. Remember, in hosting Thanksgiving dinner, you’re building traditions and lasting memories that will endure for decades to come. By preparing ahead of time, you’ll enjoy the holiday and have enough energy leftover to hit the after-Thanksgiving sales. Go ahead and have an extra scoop of whipped cream on your pumpkin pie. You pulled off a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner, and have earned a little indulgence.