Hosting a Thanksgiving celebration is an art that combines lovingly prepared meals with the warmth and fellowship of the home to create an event that is at once elevated and intimate. If you are hosting this year’s Thanksgiving meal for the first time, or are continuously looking for ways in which to better prepare your home and table for this holiday gathering, read on for our guide full of helpful tips to make your event exceptional. For more elevated Thanksgiving inspiration, check out our other linked articles below for ultra-moody decor, tablescapes, recipes, and more.

Preparing Your Home

01. Spread out prep and tasks throughout the week.

Don’t let the joy of sharing a meal with family and friends be tarnished by the stress of preparing. With a concrete plan in mind for the day’s events, start prepping your home and food-related tasks throughout the week in order to make Thursday’s tasks a breeze. To help you plan all your to-do’s, be sure to download our printable checklist at the end of the article. 

02. A clean home is a happy home.

Take some time to evaluate your home’s cleanliness and plan a series of deep cleans for every area where gathering will take place. The most important place to clean will be your kitchen, as you will need the uncluttered space to prepare, followed by your dining room, living or entertainment spaces, guest bathrooms, and guest bedrooms. Front and back steps, porches, or decks will also need to be swept clean, and it is advisable to make sure that all parking spaces on your property are cleared as well. 

03. Make your guest list.

The amount of family and friends that you invite to your Thanksgiving gathering only depends on the capacity of your table and your comfort level as a host. While some hosts opt for large gatherings with plenty of loved ones to celebrate the day with, others prefer a scaled-back roster that includes a few important people with whom they would like to share their home. However many guests you invite, make sure to factor in available parking, seating arrangements for dinner, and lodging arrangements for guests who are traveling for the holidays. 

04. Prepare for overnight guests.

If you plan on having any guests stay with you overnight, make sure that your guest rooms are prepared well ahead of time. Set out any extra linens, blankets, and guest towels, provide an empty closet or dresser for unpacking, make sure the bed is neatly made, and provide a clean guest bathroom with refreshed toiletries and travel sized products in case guests forget to bring their own. Added thoughtful touches such as writing down your home’s wifi password for your guests, providing extra phone chargers, and setting up a small coffee or tea station will make their experience all the more welcoming.

05. Plan out your decor.

The types of Thanksgiving decor you choose for your home will have an impact on the day’s overall mood. Whether your home’s style leans more towards warm and traditional, bright and contemporary, or trendy and dramatic, be sure to put care into every piece you choose. Unique and hand-picked decor elements will catch the eye of every guest and communicate your dedication to creating an elevated and beautiful home. 

Want to find out the latest in Thanksgiving decor trends? Check out this week’s Trend Spotlight post:

06. Set your table the day before.

Having your chosen tablescape prepared ahead of time means one less element to focus on during the day’s events. Match your table settings to the decor style throughout the rest of your home and pick thoughtful centerpiece items that will make a statement while at the same time providing room to set food during dinner. Having place settings mapped out ahead of time also means that your guests will not have any concerns about where they should sit at dinner.

Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty has prepared its own own elevated Thanksgiving tablescape using the trends of the season. View the inspiration and download the menu printables below:

Preparing Dinner

01. Make your menu unique.

When preparing your Thanksgiving dinner menu, don’t feel constricted to just the traditional dishes of the holiday! Thanksgiving can be as unique and flavorful as you wish, and we encourage you to infuse your own taste, style, and culture into your special gathering. As long as a particular dish is a warm and delicious addition to the full dinner menu, it is sure to be welcomed at your event. 

Want to view some of the delicious heirloom recipes that our Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty team have shared? Head to the link below:

02. Be mindful of food allergies and dietary preferences.

When finalizing your menu, don’t forget to take into account any food allergies or special dietary preferences that your guests might have. This doesn’t mean you necessarily must limit the entire menu to accommodate, but it does mean that you should be mindful about including specific dishes that will agree with a particular guest’s restrictions. For dishes that may raise allergy or dietary concerns, be open about informing your guests as to which dishes they should avoid. This will create a dinner experience that everyone can enjoy. 

03. Practice experimental dishes first.

If you are planning to include any unique and experimental dishes in your menu, don’t wait until the day of the event to try out your new recipe. It is best to practice ahead of time with any new recipe or experimental twist on something you’ve made before, so as to ensure that no mistakes are made on the day of cooking. You can also enlist other family members to help you taste test dishes beforehand to make sure that the recipe does not need to be modified. 

04. Make ahead when possible.

Making food ahead or pre-prepping certain ingredients is the most efficient way to avoid Thanksgiving Day stress. Freezable items such as gravies and homemade dough can be made well ahead of time and frozen until it is time to use them; rolls, cranberry sauce, and casseroles can be pre-made and stored without losing their freshness; and even smaller ingredients like chopped vegetables or spices can be pre-portioned and stored to make your day-of prep that much easier. 

05. Set up a pre-dinner drink hour.

For guests who arrive early, or a turkey that is not fully cooked by dinner time, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks are the best way to satiate your guests until it is time to gather around the table. Have a few seasonally-appropriate wines pre-chilled for the occasion, mix some holiday cocktails ahead of time, and have plenty of non-alcoholic punch or apple cider on hand to complement the coming meal.

06. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Thanksgiving is all about togetherness and gratitude for loved ones. If your planned gathering is becoming more than a handful, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Enlisting the help of friends and family can also give your group a chance to fellowship while they decorate or help cook the meal, turning what was once a chore into a treasured family tradition. 

Thanksgiving Planning Checklist

To keep your Thanksgiving organized, we put together a printable checklist to keep with you as you plan your menu, set your tablescape, and invite guests. Feel free to download and print it at the link below. We wish you the warmest and most joyful of Thanksgivings!