How To Host & Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving Dinner… one of the best holidays for food, fellowship and catching up. BUT it can also be the most exhausting holiday if you are the host!

After having hosted more Thanksgiving Dinner Celebrations than I can count, I’m sharing my plan for how to host and still ENJOY the Thanksgiving Dinner at the same time!

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How To Plan The Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner

What if I told you it was possible to plan a holiday celebration where everyone had a great time, including YOU?

No more running around the entire time making sure everything is on schedule! This plan will help you know exactly what to do when.

The best part is, you will have ideas for how to host a traditional Thanksgiving, mix it up with a little fun and fancy, or totally pamper your guests.

Regardless of whether you have hosted before or it’s your first time, hopefully these ideas will help you host your dinner and enjoy it with your guests!

How Formal Will Your Dinner Be?

You (and your guests) may be used to a certain type of Thanksgiving celebration.

First, decide if you want to stick to what you know or if you want to mix it up a bit.

If it’s your first time hosting then you get a little more freedom to start your holiday hosting the way you would like to do it!

Don’t be afraid to try something new! If you are planning a Thanksgiving Dinner party & want to mix it up a bit, try incorporating a few traditional elements and add your own twist!

Three options I like to choose from for planning a holiday party are:

Informal or Casual
- Come as you are setting
- No expectations for anything fancy
- Totally relaxed
- Fun & Simple

Traditional With a Fun Elevated Spin
- Come as you are OR a little dressy
- Traditional with a some more fancy decorative elements
- Elevate the dinner with new food options
- Fun & Classy

Totally Pamper Your Guests
- More formal attire (or not)
- Elevated decorations that spoil your guests
- Serve dishes that are traditional with great presentation
- Elegant & Comfortable for all

There is no wrong choice! Pick what you want and have fun! Sometimes a little change is good for everyone.

Once you decide how formal (or casual) you want your Thanksgiving Dinner to be, you can move on to the next stage of planning.

A fun way to pick your menu is to decide just how traditional you want your meal to be.

I have gone with different versions of these menu options over the years. I like to mix it up.

Do what works for you and your guests!

Your menu will likely be determined by a few things.

Do you want to host a THEMED Thanksgiving Dinner?

There are quite a few benefits to going with a theme.

Break up the monotony
Opportunity to include other cultures
Fun with decorating in new ways
Try out new recipes

There are tons of options for hosting a themed meal. Here are just a few to get you started.

Regional USA Thanksgiving Dishes
- This is great if you have a diverse family!
- Everyone’s culture can get highlighted with a dish
- Create dish cards that tell their story next to the dish when it’s served

Traditional Elegance
- Dishes have the expected traditional main dish & sides
- Mix it up by elevating ingredients
  - Replace traditional stuffing with this French Bread Stuffing Recipe by Salt & Baker
  - Replace mashed potatoes with this Next Level Mashed Potatoes Recipe by Crave the Good (YUM)
  - The possibilities are endless…

Around the World Cuisine
- This is an exciting way to celebrate different cultures
- Choose seasonal dishes from around the world
- Try setting up continental stations (Asia, Europe, North America, South America, etc.)
- Choose one continent to celebrate
- Decorate according to your International cuisine chosen
- This can be a fun and new way to celebrate with family and friends!

Would You Like To Host A Potluck?

Potluck style dinners are GREAT if you don’t want to cook every dish.

Just because you host a potluck style Thanksgiving Dinner doesn’t mean you have to give up control of everything!

Here are some options for hosting a potluck style dinner!

You pick – then dish it out
- You pick the dishes you are set on making
- Then assign the sides you need to your guests
- Assign simpler dishes to people you know don’t cook (they can pick them up or order them)
- This fits ANY theme you pick for your Thanksgiving Dinner!
- Assign specific dishes or general dish elements
  - Potato side dish
  - Green Vegetable Side Dish
  - Root Vegetable Side Dish
  - Gluten-free Dish Dish
  - Fruit Based Dessert
  - Etc.
- Confirm dish choices 4 days prior to Thanksgiving Dinner date

Be sure to include gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free options for your guests with dietary limitations.

You pick – then guests sign up
- You pick the dishes you want to make
- Create recommended side dish list
- Be sure to include simpler “dishes” for your guests that don’t cook
  - Bread
  - Condiments
  - Elements for charcuterie board
  - Etc.
- This potluck plan works with ANY theme you pick (traditional or not)
- Confirm dish choices 4 days prior to Thanksgiving Dinner date

You prepare meal – guests sign up for dessert
- You prepare the meal itself
  - Main Dish
  - Sides
  - Appetizers / Finger Foods / Charcuterie Board
- BONUS: You have complete control of the meal (perfect for the Type A’s out there)
- Create a meal that suits your chosen Thanksgiving Dinner theme perfectly
- Guests Sign Up For Desserts
  - Create a List of Preferred Desserts
  - Guests sign up for the dessert they want to bring
  - It’s that easy!
  - Works great with any themed dinner!

How Will You Dish It Up?

Serving your Thanksgiving Dinner is another consideration when you host.

These are 5 of the most popular ways to serve your meal:

Buffet Style
- By far the easiest serving method for your meal
- Get creative with how set up your buffet table
- Easy for guests to go back and get more!

Single Serve Portioned Buffet
- Make your meal with single servings in mind
- Use muffin cups, paper cups, small serving dishes
- Set all dishes out so guests can walk by and take individual servings of each dish
- Have toothpicks and silverware in cups on the serving table

Thanksgiving Dinner In A Box
- Traditional meal in a box
  - Perfect boxes for your meal HERE!
- Perfect for portion control!
- Ideal for groups concerned with multiple touch items (#overCOVID)
- Excellent for LARGE group gatherings
- Looks festive with customizable labels!
  - Get your customized labels here!
- Looks AMAZING on your serving table.

Traditional meal service requires more time on your part to plate meals. Consider prepping everything ahead of time if you opt for a traditional service.

3 Course Meal
- Serve plated meals in 3 courses
- Appetizer
- Main Dish / Sides
- Dessert
- Simple, yet elegant
- Works with any theme you choose

4 Course Meal
- Serve plated meal in 4 courses
- Hors d’oeuvre
- Appetizer
- Main Dish
- Dessert
- Elegant and Elevated
- Works with any theme you choose

What Thanksgiving Decor Will You Use?

There are about three thousand options for how you will decorate so how in world do you choose?

The key is to work through your options with intention.

Don’t be swayed by shiny things!

Your enemy when planning your Thanksgiving Dinner decor is distraction!

Whatever you do, stay focused and most of all, HAVE FUN!

To help simplify how to decorate for Thanksgiving I have broken this down into three categories. This works GREAT when you aren’t sure what decor to use!

Traditional Fall Decor
- Fall colors that include oranges, tans, creams and whites
- Add a pop of color to your fall palette
- Use pumpkins in assorted colors
- Works with modern, rustic, boho and any style you are going for!
- Mute colors a bit by incorporating more tan and cream
- Mix up textures
  - Natural Elements
    - Pumpkins
    - Wood
    - Greenery
  - Floral Arrangments
    - Silk or Real Flowers
    - Pine Cones
    - Ribbon
- Have fun and stick to your plan once you commit

Neutral Thanksgiving Decor
- Primarily creams and whites
- Use pops of beige or barely blue
- Elevate your decor with crystals, beads and pops of gold or silver
- Add a focal color with your neutrals by adding just a few elements with bold color
  - Coral flowers
  - Burgundy berries
  - Blue beads or crystals
- OR Keep it super simple with only neutrals
- Classy and Elegant with little effort

Neutral Fall Tablescape in 30 Minutes

Transitional Decor
- Decorate with decor that transcends between fall and winter
- Mix fern with pine cones
- Use pumpkins and pine branches
- Utilize natural elements from your region
- Any color palette works
- Fun and unique decor that you will love!

What Drinks Will You Serve?

Somehow, having a great drink station is the first thing to get forgotten!

With just a little planning you can have a drink station that impresses everyone!

Whenever possible, include local options!

I’ve included my favorite options for your drink station below. Whatever you do, don’t forget the drink station!

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Water bottles
- Make festive water bottle labels to match your theme
Unsweetened Tea
Sweet Tea
Lemonade
Coffee
Hot Tea
Juice
Infused Water

Alcoholic Drinks

White Wine
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Grigio
- Riesling

Red Wine
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Malbec

Beer
- Lite
- IPA
- Stout

Create a signature drink by taking one of these recipes and putting your own spin on it!

Special Holiday Drink

Non-Alcoholic

Alcoholic

Hot Tea / Coffee Station

Set out hot water carafe
- The perfect carafe for your Hot Drink Station
Display an assortment of hot tea bags in a basket or drawer organizer
Set out honey spoons
Put a cup of sugar cubes out
Be sure to include some monkfruit (sugar substitute)
Put regular and decaf coffee in carafes out for guests
Place small pitchers with whole milk, skim milk and a non-dairy creamer on ice in baking dish
- Add cranberries to the ice for decoration

Hot Cocoa Station

Set out multiple hot cocoa options in mason jars
- Use chalkboard labels on each jar
Place a bowl of marshmallows out with small tongs
Place small pitchers with whole milk, skim milk and a non-dairy creamer on ice in baking dish
- Add cranberries to the ice for decoration
Put a small container with a spoon to drizzle caramel and chocolate sauce
Use crushed peppermint in a small bowl with a spoon for garnish and topping
Add a pumpkin pie spice shaker for garnish

Thank You Gift For Your Guests

Send your guests home with a special thank you gift that they will love!

You can do something so simple and inexpensive that will leave your guests feeling very special.

Home baked goods gift
Small fall themed basket
Thanksgiving themed cups
- Use as part of your table service
- Guests take their cup home
Thanksgiving Ornament
- Guests add what they are thankful for on a provided ornament
  - They take their ornament home as a memento from your Thanksgiving Dinner

Plan Ahead To Host Thanksgiving Dinner: Enjoy The Party!

The single most important thing you can do host the meal and not stress is plan ahead!

Here’s what you need to plan your dinner:

Menu Planner
- Be sure to make your grocery list as you work out your menu. It will save you a TON of time!
Decor Planner
- Write down your theme idea so you don’t deviate unintentionally. Then plan out all of the areas you want to add decor.
  - Front Door
  - Main Entrance
  - Common Area
  - Tablescape
  - Buffet Table
  - Drink Station
  - Bathroom
  - Other areas guests may spend time
Serving Plan
- Look back at the “Dish it up” portion of this post
  - Plan according to your choice
  - What serving dishes will you need?
  - Be sure to consider serving utensils
  - Cups, plates, silverware, etc.
Set Your Cooking Schedule
- Remember to allot time to do prep work
  - You can cut ahead of time and put like ingredients in bags or containers so cooking time is decreased
- Make pies and baked goods the day before
- Leave yourself extra time to get ready for your guests
Plan Your “Extras”
- Any boxes or bags needed
- Thank you gifts
- Labels for boxes and bags
- Water bottle labels
- “Game” Plan (any games you want for entertainment)
- Playlist for music during your Thanksgiving Party
Guest List
- Sign up list for sides or desserts (if needed)
- Guest list with # of kids coming

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