Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you are hosting a dinner for your families and friends on Thanksgiving, the panic might be starting to set in right about now. What recipes should I make? How much food should I prepare? Who should I invite? Check out these tips for hosting the perfect Thanksgiving dinner and still enjoying the holiday with your friends and family!
6 tips for hosting Thanksgiving dinner
Use these helpful hints, and host the perfect dinner for friends and families on Thanksgiving! Impress guests with superb planning skills, and get the Thanksgiving fun underway.
Make a plan for Thanksgiving dinner
Take a deep breath. Grab some paper and a pen. Determine the following: How many people will be attending? Where will the meal be served? What is your comfort level in the kitchen - do you have go-to recipes? If so, make them a part of your meal. Don't try to make a recipe for the very first time on Thanksgiving - either give yourself a practice round or two or stick to recipes you know and love. Figure out your menu, identify things that can be made ahead of time, and then actually make them ahead of time. If you don't have any idea what to serve, tart with these recipes that will please any crowd:
Traditional Thanksgiving
If you want to stick with all-time favorites, this Thanksgiving dinner menu is for you. From the classic roasted herb turkey to Southern cornbread dressing and the old-school green bean casserole, this menu includes all the essential components of a classic Thanksgiving feast. Choose from three classic pie offering-apple, pumpkin, and pecan-or make all three.
- Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy
- Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
- Southern Cornbread Dressing
- Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
- Old-School Green Bean Casserole
- Angel Biscuits
- Classic Cranberry Salad
- Classic Candied Yams
- Ultimate Apple Pie
- Southern Pumpkin Pie
- Best Pecan Pie
Casual Thanksgiving
If you'd prefer to spend more time with your family than wasting days prepping for the Thanksgiving meal, this casual menu is for you. It includes all the basics you need for a great Thanksgiving feast without all the fuss. This menu is ideal for a family of four or a smaller Thanksgiving gathering. Top off the meal with a homemade sweet potato pie that is sure to satisfy.
- Smoked Turkey Breast
- Southern Cornbread Dressing
- Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
- Old-School Green Bean Casserole
- Savory Corn Pudding
- Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots
- Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie
"The More, the Merrier" Thanksgiving
When you're cooking for a large Thanksgiving crowd, this big-batch menu will be your go-to choice. There's sure to be enough of everything to go around, and perhaps even some leftovers! Complete your Thanksgiving meal with a sheet cake, which is our favorite way to make dessert for a crowd.
- Smoked Turkey with Herb Rub
- Southern Cornbread Dressing
- Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese
- Caramelized Onion Mashed Potato Bake
- Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
- Old-School Green Bean Casserole
- Grits Dressing
- Butter Pecan Sheet Cake
- Mini Pumpkin Pies
- Spiced Pecan Pie Bars
Extravagant Thanksgiving
Get fancy this Thanksgiving with a menu designed to impress your guests. Begin the evening with elegantly topped potato puffs as an appetizer, then proceed to a meal featuring impressive specialty dishes, such as roasted Brussels sprouts and homemade herb biscuits.
- Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy
- Sweet Potato Stacks
- Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole
- Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust
- Parmesan-Herb Angel Biscuits
- Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots
- Slow-cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
- Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese
- Pumpkin Spice Magic Cake
- Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream
BBQ-Style Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving dinner is getting a barbecue-style makeover. Smoking your turkey adds so many new dimensions of flavor to the typically dry bird that you'll never want to go back to the traditional roast. Just like the Thanksgiving turkey, barbecue is best served with plenty of indulgent sides. Accompany the smoked turkey with our best-ever mac and cheese, Southwestern-style spoonbread dressing, and savory corn pudding.
- Herb-Rubbed Smoked Turkey
- Twice-Baked Potatoes
- Savory Corn Pudding
- Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese
- Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole
- Buttermilk Cornbread
- Sweet Potato Cobbler
- Kentucky Bourbon Pie
Plan activities for your guests
Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and football are always popular choices, but if you have young children attending your party, you may want to plan some kid-friendly activities as well. Coloring sheets and simple crafts are always a hit with the little ones!
Send out party invitations
It's time to invite your guests! Be sure to include all the important details such as the date, time, location, and RSVP information. Also, make sure to send out your Thanksgiving party invitations well in advance so your guests can plan accordingly.
Decorate your house and table
While you don't have to do this a month in advance, you also shouldn't wait until the day before the dinner (because there are more important things, like baking pies, to be done the day before Thanksgiving). While you don't need to go overboard with the decorations, adding cute touches here and there won't hurt. Here are some ideas:
- Decorate your front door: Buy some decorative squash and place them outside your door or arrange them in a nearby basket. This is also a great way to use that pumpkin you never got around to carving. Hang dried corn on your door; they come in amazing shades of crimson, maroon, orange, and gold.
- Decorate the dinner table: While the delicious food you will masterfully create may serve as decoration enough, you can also give your table some extra flair. Buy a charming fall-colored tablecloth. Place candlestick holders on the table, complete with beautiful orange candlesticks.
Seating cards
Create beautiful seating cards or purchase them at your local party planning store. Write the names of the guests on the cards, and arrange them at the Thanksgiving table. Be sure to have another set of eyes glance at the seating plan in advance, and ask for his or her feedback. Doing your due diligence will avoid a scene between family members at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Dress code
Determine whether the dress code for Thanksgiving dinner is casual, dressy, or formal. Notify your guests in advance, providing them with ample time to prepare for the occasion. Make sure to keep the atmosphere and feel of your event consistent, and align the rest of the Thanksgiving details the same way.
Celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with Pasta Fresca!
If you've never hosted a dinner for friends and families on Thanksgiving before, it can feel intimidating. Hosting comes with a lot of responsibility and a long to-do list, but with these tips for hosting Thanksgiving dinner above and the right amount of preparation, it can be a breeze.
The host deserves to enjoy the holiday as well, so let Pasta Fresca's professional catering service take care of your Thanksgiving dinner this year!
We know that preparing Thanksgiving dinner can be a daunting task. Therefore, we're here to help make your Thanksgiving less stressful, so you can concentrate on spending time with your friends and family. Our Catering Service includes setup, decorations, food, beverages - everything you need to ensure your dinner party is perfect and hassle-free.
Simply visit our website or contact us at 0394 513 422 - 0962 422 243 to book our catering service for this Thanksgiving. You can always refer us to your friends if they struggle with last-minute preparations.
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