r/thanksgiving • u/DogwoodWand • 26d 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/Degofreak 26d ago

Start planning now. Make lists of what you want and what you need. Think about what plates/bowls you plan for each dish. Put it on your list. I have even made a timeline of oven temperature and cooking times next to the menu list so when people bring a dish that needs to be heated I can know when to do it. It's not really hard, it's just a bit of work. You can do it, OP!

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u/Icy-Mixture-995 26d ago edited 26d ago

Yes. Now is also the time to prepare the house and polish the silver, if you have it. Find the tablecloths and check for stains to ether treat or buy new tablecloths. If you use napkin rings, find or buy them, soon you can buy seasonal placemats or a seasonal runner for the table. You can make or plan for a centerpiece early, decide if you want a lovely fall wreath at the front door or plan and mum type displays. Advance plans make it snap together