Next week is Thanksgiving, do you have your plans all organized? I have compiled a few tips to help you save time and eliminate the aggravation, and I’ve thrown in a few holiday decorating tips.
8 Planning Tips to help you with your Thanksgiving
1. Clean out your refrigerator this week! That way you will have room for everything when you shop next week.
2. Are you buying a fresh or frozen turkey? If you are buying a frozen turkey you need to allow one day of thawing, on a tray in the refrigerator, for every 4-5lbs.
Here are some useful Turkey tips, click the link below to read more:
3. Set your table the night before Thanksgiving and use sticky notes on each serving dish and bowl so you see how everything will fit on your table. When it is time to serve the meal, you won’t be scrambling looking for that special platter!
4. Create place cards for each table setting and be sure to put some thought into the placement to ensure family peace. You may want to solicit help for this project, perhaps involve the younger kids in the creation of the place cards. I created a board on Pinterest of Thanksgiving Ideas to help you with this task; click here to view.
5. For an instant display on your dining table use natural elements from your yard for a casual table. Combine branches, pinecones, nuts and place candles down the center of the table for a natural and cozy feel.
6. If you don’t have enough table settings in one pattern don’t worry – you can mix them perhaps use a charger and match and always use cloth napkins. If you are unsure how to properly place a table setting, click here for instructions from Emily Post.
7. Consider serving in a buffet style creating food stations. You can always use a folding 6’ table with a lovely table cloth as a second serving area and use the dining room table as an eating area. Remember to elevate dishes using cake or pie stands of food on the buffet table to create a beautiful display of food. If you use one color, such as white serving dishes and platters you can create a visually beautiful arrangement of food.
8. If you have a houseful of family, you will want to plan some activities, or put someone in charge of activities, so they are not bothering you and the cooking helpers. Here are a few ideas:
- Get the Christmas lights out and decorate the outside of the house.
- Go on a long walk.
- Get shopping for the holidays, plenty of stores are open on Thanksgiving now.
- Go to the movies.
Thanksgiving is a fabulous time of year, make your plans early and enjoy yourself!
If you are in need of a dining room redesign, contact Debbie@RedesignRight.com or call 610.955.8202 to make an appointment!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at www.RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.