20 Thanksgiving Dinner Prep Tips So You Don't Throw The Turkey At Your In-Laws
Recently, I asked the BuzzFeed Community to share their secrets on dealing with the stress of preparing a big Thanksgiving dinner. With the added help of Redditors from r/homeowners, you'll find that preparation, stress control, and helping hands (maybe a little wine, too) will save you a massive headache on Turkey Day:
1."Have a menu and ask everyone to bring one or two things from that menu."
2."I coordinate with everyone coming over with what they bring— appetizers, salad, side dishes, etc. I start the Tuesday before by making the stuffing and mashed potatoes. I make cranberry sangria the night before. I order pies to pick up on Thanksgiving morning. Thanksgiving morning, I only had to worry about preparing the turkey. Anything heated goes in the crockpot."
—Anonymous, 56
3."I set alarms for everything and keep the menu simple. I only host my immediate family and in-laws, so there's no drama. And the first thing I start in the morning is a big crock pot of mulled wine."
4."When it comes to kids, I don't stress. I buy extra kid-friendly foods and don't pressure my kids to eat what they don't want or like. Things like that are saved for home in a comfort location."
5."Size up your guest list and your objective for hosting Thanksgiving. Then remember these four suggestions: 1. Plan, 2. Delegate, 3. Prep, 4. Entertain. More families and friends are moving away from just showing up with kids and expecting to sit and eat. So look to your guests as contributors to the feast. Make it like a potluck, and try not to do it all. It begins with why and what. Why are you hosting the meal, and what’s on the menu?"
—Anonymous, 60(ish)
6."🍷🍷🍷"
7."Prep early, and prep hard. A lot of dishes can be 75% prepared in advance. Use your time in the two days leading up to take advantage of that."
8."...enlist the help of some family members in light cleanup (bringing the big plates into the kitchen, storing leftovers, and some light washing up) once everyone has eaten 2-3 times and the food is getting into the "danger zone" of being out too long. With a few extra hands, it takes about 10 minutes to get that part cleaned up, and the party continues!"
9."I use my partner as a sous-chef. They run me anything I need and stay the hell out of my way when I need them to. Having the extra set of hands helps, and they roll family out of the kitchen when needed. It's a tight ship."
—Anonymous, 42
10."I like to put stickies on the dishes I plan to use in advance and then ask people to plate them. This involves other people and removes the 'What should this go in?' question."
11."Something that helps get people out of the kitchen: Set up a beverage station in the common area with cups, a cooler of ice, drinks, coffee with creamer, or tea. That way, people can help themselves to drinks without asking you for something or being in your way.
12."When you have time, take a few minutes, close your eyes, and imagine each person coming over and how they make you feel. Imagine the things you want to talk about with each of them. Imagine how much you’ll enjoy their company. I think this will help you focus on the upcoming good times. Good luck!"
13."...with a large crowd, they can kind of entertain themselves so I can slip away and cook!"
14."A little wine for the pot; a little wine for the chef!"
15."I always found that a lot easier than hosting just a couple of people (three to four) for a meal. I eventually realized that at a certain critical mass, the guests started taking care of themselves and their interactions rather than looking to me as the be-all-end-all of what was happening at the house. This greatly reduced my anxiety, and I found those great big hosting weekends to be rather refreshing to my spirits. I even made a few lifelong friends that way."
16."I always cook with wine. Sometimes, I even put some in the food."
17."One of my favorite things when prepping is picking dishes with easy-to-help-with tasks. There's always someone who wants to help cook, so I always have a few things that are really easy for someone to help with and chat while we do so."
"Make a playlist of songs that pump you up to have on in the background.I also like to get out photo albums, decks of cards, funny coffee table books, and other such items so that guests aren't just staring at me if I have things to do.KEEP UP WITH DISHES. Or don't be afraid of disposable/compostable plates. For Thanksgiving this year, I'm using palm leaf plates that break down really easily.And get up early. I love that peaceful time in the morning (with a movie on in the background!) when I can get things done before anyone shows up.Edit for one more: have a code word or gesture with your SO for 'I NEED HELP' so they know they should come by and pull away a Chatty Kathy, relieve you from cooking something to have a minute, etc."
18."Don't stress the renovations. They'll either be done or not, and there is little you can do to control that. Have backup plans in case they aren't done."
19."Have a seat for every butt, a pyramid of toilet paper on the back of the toilet so no one has to go hunting, thick disposable hand towels instead of a gross cloth one that is used 100 times, a can of air freshener in the bathroom, and a place for people to put their coats, purses, etc. And show people where the bathrooms are when they arrive, so no one needs to ask."
20.And finally, "Make a bomb-ass turkey and a better dessert than anyone could bring. There's no need to stress; when you know your turkey is so good, people will fight over leftovers. The roof could cave in, and I'd kick back eating pumpkin cheesecake for the rest of the night."
If you're reading this, and you're making Thanksgiving dinner, you've got this! If you have any words of wisdom for stressed chefs on Turkey Day, please comment below!
