What makes one Thanksgiving more memorable than another? Is it the perfectly cooked turkey? The beautifully set table? We all wish we had the magic formula, but let’s be honest—Thanksgiving is a lot of work, especially when you’re the host. We give you our tips and strategies for a memorable Thanksgiving. Let us help you! We absolutely recognize all of the effort that goes into making your holiday a wonderful gathering. Here are some of our best tips and strategies for creating a wonderful holiday gathering. First, whenever we host a large gathering of people for Thanksgiving we follow one simple philosophy – many hands make light work. We know this will require a whirlwind of activity, and while it’s never perfect, it’s always incredibly memorable. When everyone pitches in and helps in some way, it makes the burden on one person less and more enjoyable for all. Here are the specific steps we use to approach getting ready for a big holiday gathering: Plan and Prep Do as much as you can ahead of time. Seriously, this is the key to success! Make lists, prep ingredients, make favor bags and use our custom Thanksgiving labels to give them a little more zhuzh! Every year we use Alton Brown’s recipe to brine our turkey, so we make sure to gather all of the ingredients including a clean cooler and ice ahead of time. We even set the table the night before—anything that can ease the pressure on the big day. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. If there’s something specific you want done a certain way, save it as your task or provide clear instructions to someone else. Orchestrate and Delegate Hosting a big meal while entertaining guests can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to assign tasks based on everyone’s strengths. Create a general schedule for the day and let people know what’s expected. Whether it’s carving the turkey or mixing up a signature cocktail, everyone should have a role. Relax and Enjoy Remember, Thanksgiving is a community effort. There’s so much more fun to be had when everyone is involved. Let go of perfection, embrace the chaos, and focus on the moments that really matter. Laughter in the kitchen, stories shared around the table, and that wonderful feeling of togetherness—that’s what Thanksgiving is all about. At the end of the day, it’s not about whether everything was perfect. It’s about the love, the laughter, and the memories we create together. Our goal is to share our tips and strategies to help you enjoy your time with your guests. We also have a Random Acts of Kindness Challenge that you can share with your guests. We will be providing all the details about that next week. For now, we hope you follow our tips and start your planning so you can enjoy the holiday.
Entertaining
Transform Your Mantle in minutes…
Transition from Fall to Festive in Just 5 Minutes… As the holidays approach, there’s no need to completely overhaul your décor to make your home feel festive. We have everything you need on our Seasonal Décor page. With a few simple changes, you can easily transform your mantle in minutes from a cozy fall look to a merry and bright Christmas display—and it takes just five minutes! We start with a versatile base that works for both seasons: a Norfolk pine garland, a set of gold metal bells, battery-powered twinkle lights, and a trusty pine garland that’s been a part of our decorations for years. For fall, we add a layer of maple leaf garland and a two-tone bow made from beautiful moss green and French blue wired ribbon. If dusty blue and rich green are not colors found in your home, choose ones that accentuate your current decor. In past years, we have paired navy blue and brown together, but you may prefer burnt orange and burgundy. Select ribbon colors that you prefer, follow our techniques, and your mantle will be beautiful and transition just as easily. When it’s time to transition to Christmas, we simply remove the maple leaf garland, swap the bow for a bright red velvet one, and turn on the twinkle lights. In just a few quick steps, our mantle transforms from autumnal charm to holiday cheer! That’s our little secret for taking your décor from Fall to Festive—effortlessly. Seasonal Décor