Holiday Party Prep
If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, let the countdown begin! With 21 days until the big meal, hosts can get on top of organization, and help to keep stress levels low by dealing with a couple of arrangements now.
The Early Bird
Okay, so we aren’t suggesting you start defrosting your turkey just yet. But making sure that you have one ordered if a turkey is the main attraction of your Thanksgiving Day meal is a smart idea. Check in with your local butcher or grocery store and be sure to get enough so that you’ll have some for those amazing turkey sandwich leftovers (any Friends fans out there who abide by Monica and Ross’s “moist maker”- a gravy-soaked middle piece of bread?)
Food Contributions
Thanksgiving is one of the most famously pot-luck-styled meals throughout the year. While some hosts like taking on the task of doing it all, it’s not a requirement. For many the magic of the meal isn’t just in the gratitude it inspires but also in the excitement for Aunt June’s creamy mashed potatoes, and cousin Carolyn’s bacon Brussels sprouts. Allowing your guests to have a moment in the meal to shine as well shows a great community spirit.
When your guests R.S.V.P. it’s likely that they’ll ask, “May I bring something to contribute?” As the host, it’s common - though not mandatory - that you provide the main element of the meal, in this case it’s usually the turkey. Having suggestions ready for your guests and keeping track of who is bringing what will help you stay organized.
When suggesting what to bring, it’s best to suggest a type of dish and then ask your guest to pick the specific item. This gives direction but avoids micromanaging. It also allows your guest to pick something that suits their ability and budget. Some hosts will offer a guest a choice from a specific category, others will make suggestions based on whether or not the guest is traveling to come to the holiday. Think about assigning items that are easy to pick up at the store to guests who have traveled far - if you’re asking anything of them at all. For example, drinks or a cheese or veggie platter that can easily be picked up from the grocery store. Also, play to people’s strengths. Lizzie’s sister, Anna, makes a fabulous ginger apple pie that the family always leans into at the holidays. Another idea is to let people bring dishes they care about, so they get them just as they like. Here are some sample scripts:
Suggesting Something Specific: “Aunt June, I’m so glad that you can make it to Thanksgiving this year. Would you be willing to bring your famous creamy mashed potatoes again this year?”
Suggesting A Meal Element: “Carolyn, I’m so thrilled you can come to Thanksgiving this year! And yes, I would love to take you up on your offer to bring something. Right now I’m looking for help with veggie side dishes, would that be something you could bring?”
Free For All: “Hooray! I’m so glad you can come this year, Ashton. Yes, I would love to take you up on your offer to bring a dish. What would you like to make?”
The thing you want to avoid is telling someone exactly what they are bringing with a specific recipe. “Frank, you’re making a chocolate cream pie, here’s the recipe, and do remember to only buy the good chocolate for it.” Is not considered polite.
Helping Hands
For those throwing medium and even large holiday meals, it’s okay to ask for help with more than just the food. You probably won’t be suggesting your sister come over and vacuum before the party - though, major props to any sister who volunteers for this! But you can organize some common guest-helps-out tasks when people RSVP and you discuss food assignments.
Think of tasks that guests often volunteer for like passing hors d’oeuvres, filling water glasses before the meal, lighting candles, helping arrange the buffet, serving, clearing, and doing the dishes which are all classics. “Jeffrey, I’m so glad you and Carl can make it, in addition to the pie you’ve offered to bring would I be able to put the two of you on duty to serve the dessert as well?” While some hosts might not want their guests to lift a finger, if it’s going to be helpful and allow you to focus on family and friends more throughout the day, by all means, go right ahead and ask.
We hope this article helps you pull your Thanksgiving Day plans together in a way that keeps you organized and on top of tasks way ahead of the game. Okay, you’ve got 21 days left, what else might you get accomplished early? Decoration ideas? Seating Charts? Place Cards? Hop to it!
SIGNED COPIES ARE AVAILABLE Emily Post’s Etiquette - The Centennial Edition, is available this holiday season with the option to get a signed copy! Get your holiday gift shopping done early by purchasing a signed copy of the book for your friends and family! Order your copy(ies) today from Bridgeside Books - our local, woman-owned business partner for all our signed books!
Happy-Substack-Birthday-To-Us and a Gift For You!
Thanksgiving will mark the 1st anniversary of our Substack. This has been a majorly good move for us and we want to celebrate with you! Throughout the month, we’ll be releasing single pages of our digital planners to help you throughout the holiday season. This week’s digital planner is the GUEST CONTRIBUTIONS SHEET to help you keep your Thanksgiving day meal well organized. Happy planning!
Guest Contribution Sheet:
Thank you for spending some of your day with us. How’s your holiday planning going so far? Community Members, leave your thoughts in the comments below, for free subscribers remember the Monday post has a comment thread open to all!
Keep an eye out for the Saturday Sip, it’s coming up next!
Until then,
Lizzie and Dan
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