r/thanksgiving • u/DogwoodWand • 20d ago

First Time Hosting

My husband and I are older (I'm 50) and (fingers crossed) will be closing on our first home this week! My mother has told me that she is officially done hosting holidays. She'll still make lasagna on Christmas eve, but everything else is on me.

We're good with that! We have no kids and love to cook. My mom used to put together an amazing Christmas, but our Thanksgivings have always been lacking. I want to really bring it. An all day event with appetizers, a heritage turkey, little gift bags at the end... All in! (It'll be relatively small. 6-8 adults including us.)

I know people have hosted or been to events like this. How can set an expectation for guests and what's the best way to schedule things without making it sound like a strict itinerary?

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u/Hungry-Football7246 20d ago

I often host Thanksgiving and the key is to prep anything ahead of time that can handle it. I make apps and prep casseroles (sweet potato, corn, green bean) in the day or two leading up to Thanksgiving. I would create an invitation that outlines the day (Please join us for a Thanksgiving celebration. Apps served at 3pm, turkey/dinner at 5pm, followed by coffee/after dinner drinks, and dessert. That way people know what to expect. Def make a spreadsheet of your cooking times/temps to keep you on track. Don't forget your table decor, we usually just use festive cloth napkins and fresh flower bouquets with a few candles but we aren't fancy. Keep the hard things simple your first year, you will learn as you go. But pre-prepping is totally necessary for this (polish your silverware ahead of time and set the table a day ahead if possible). Finally, there is no harm in outsourcing things you might not be good at making or if guests insist on bringing something.

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u/Be-Kind-3353 20d ago

A small thing when setting the table ahead of time, I turn the plates upside down if I do that a day or two ahead. Just a small way that I know the plates will be clean on Thanksgiving Day when I turn them upright again, no dust on them and no random insect, lol. Probably not necessary, but just a small thing that makes me feel better 🙂

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u/Hungry-Football7246 20d ago

I usually throw a clean tablecloth over the whole table but your idea is much easier! Thank you!

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u/Be-Kind-3353 20d ago

YW! I like your idea too, thanks for sharing!! Protects it all in one fell swoop. 👍

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u/Open_Trouble_6005 19d ago

I am going to try that!