We have hosted Thanksgiving for 21+ years. One of those years I had just given birth 20 days before so figuring our how to pull it off has taken some practice. Here are Tips for Holiday Meal Hosting helping you keep it simple for Christmas or Thanksgiving.
The Week Before:
Declutter any areas guests will be even if it means shoving it all in a random closet or your master bedroom
Declutter your Kitchen Cabinets & Fridge the weekend before.
Stock up on Disposable Pans with Lids (great for the dishes you make ahead of time and for left overs).
Buy or Order your Groceries the Weekend Before to avoid the Crazy Crowds.
Make as many of your side dishes the weekend before and freeze.
Decorate & Set Your Table (s)**Pithy Tip: If you have little ones wait until night before.
The Week of Thanksgiving
Don't stress on the appetizers.You don't want them to fill up ahead of time but still have a few snacks on hand. Here are our favorites
Cheese Ball rolled in Nacho Cheese Doritos with a Bell Pepper Stem to look like a pumpkin.
Prosciutto and Cheese Tray with Crackers
Veggie Tray with Variety of Dips & Salsas
Set up different bowls around the house of nuts and snack mixes
The Meat: Always make more than you think people will eat. We hosted 16 this year and went through a Turkey breast, Large Ham and a 4 lb Brisket. **I also always have a large batch of Homemade Chili or Enchiladas and Breakfast Food for that inevitable guest(s) who show up a day before or decide to stay after.
Unless you have a co-partner/spouse that will handle the main meat(s) for your event then source locally. We always order our Turkey Presmoked ready to slice, a Ham and the latest addition has been a Brisket which has been a huge hit.
If you are not passionate about cooking and honestly good at it-don't try all new fancy dishes you have never made before. Stick to the classics all of the can be done in advance except mashed potatoes do those the day of:"
Stuffing (I always buy this from my meat provider)
Green Been Casserole (easy and well loved)
Watergate Salad (delicious easy and found in every church cookbook)
Cranberry Sauce
Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole (so easy!)
Potato Dish (Mashed or Funera)
Mac and Cheese (for the young at heart)
Gravy
Rolls & Butter
Tea/Water/Wine
I love pulling out the china but honestly no-one cares except maybe your MIL. So buy heavy duty paper plates at a minimum for your dessert plates. You have already put in the hours preparing it's less clean up unless you have a group of men willing to forego football to help.
If your guests offer to help...take them up on it. An extra side dish, salad, dessert per person will lighten your load and save you $$.
Have a separate Fridge or Cooler full of Non Alcoholic Drinks
Fill up the Footballs and Basketballs before your event so the kids can burn off energy!
Finally, each year before the meal we ask one of the kids of the family to say the blessing. Yes, it can make them feel uncomfortable but its a treasured moment to hear their prayer and boosts their confidence.