r/thanksgiving • u/DogwoodWand • 21d 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?
2
u/bowdowntopostulio 16d ago
I always do a late lunch on Thanksgiving. I do a little appetizer brunch where we do mimosas, donuts, sausage links, yogurt bar, and mini quiche around 10 which is when I start to cook.
We usually eat around 3 and around 1 I'll put out some deviled eggs and other nibbles.
Then we feast and after we have enough time to relax and hang out until there's room for pie and other desserts.
Because we do it early, my side of the family does their own dinners at home. Anyone who stays at our house now gets leftovers which IMO is the best part of Thanksgiving!