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Thanksgiving is a time of year when families enjoy good food and togetherness. It can also be a nightmare for whoever gets stuck hosting.
But, it is possible to host a successful Thanksgiving without the stress and the mountain of clean-up to do afterward.
All you have to do is plan a little and follow our tips for an easy Thanksgiving dinner!
Divide and Conquer
Divide and Conquer
The most important tip for making Thanksgiving easier is: DON’T TRY TO DO IT ALONE!
If you put the whole dinner on your shoulders, you’ll be much more stressed. While you might be willing to sacrifice your happiness to give your family the perfect Thanksgiving, it doesn’t usually work this way. Stressful kitchens make stressful homes.
Instead, enlist some relatives or older kids to come over a few hours early. They’ll usually be more than happy to pitch in, especially if you open the wine a little early!
Cook Smarter
Cook Smarter
The oven is the star of the show at Thanksgiving, but if you only have one (like most families do), then you’ll need to make a game plan so everything can be ready at once.
This involves prepping a lot beforehand. Here are some helpful tips:
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Slice and dice everything in the morning. Chop everything you need for stuffing, casseroles, etc. and put it into Tupperware so you don’t have to do it later.
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Bake desserts the day before. Cookies, brownies, and cakes will keep just fine.
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Use the stove to cook veggies and potatoes and the grill to make corn.
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The turkey needs 30 minutes to cool after cooking. Use this window wisely to bake stuffing or mash your potatoes.
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Bake your prepped pies after dinner. There’s no need to rush into dessert.
Photo Courtesy Of: https://www.prettytwinkledesign.com
Photo Courtesy Of: https://www.prettytwinkledesign.com
Get Some Takeout (It’s Not Cheating!)
Get Some Takeout (It’s Not Cheating!)
Don’t be afraid to order some takeout or delivery to supplement your meal. This can be a big help, especially for family members with dietary restrictions. You can’t cook everything to make everyone happy, and you shouldn’t have to.
Getting some takeout is also a good way to save time. Something as simple as a large takeaway salad or fresh garlic bread from a restaurant or grocery store can prevent a lot of stress.
Clean as You Go
Clean as You Go
You’ll need some helpers in the kitchen to accomplish this. Cleaning as you go will make the mountain of dishes much more manageable later, and it’s not that hard to do.
But of course, it involves some planning. Before you start cooking, think about each dish you need to make and which dishes you’ll use to make it. Then, you can create a game plan for finishing one task, handing off the dirty dishes, and moving on to the next.
Thanksgiving cleaning is much easier with a double workstation sink. When you prep above the sink using the convenient ledge and accessories, you won’t have to worry about dirty counters or spills. And, you can work on one side while a helper cleans next to you. It doesn’t get any easier!
Thanksgiving may never be a truly easy meal to prepare. After all, someone has to lift that 20-pound turkey! But it can be a lot easier than we usually make it. All you need is a helping hand, a little preparation, and some strategic cooking to make Thanksgiving a day that everyone, including the host, can enjoy.