It’s that time of the year again, and that means you’re either super excited or nervous, depending on who’s coming to visit. Life often takes us to different parts of the country, but for many Americans, Thanksgiving is a time of reconnection. It’s also a big deal in some parts.
In the South, it’s a time when people honor family traditions and, of course, indulge in comfort food. In states like Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, you’ll often see large gatherings and special church services going on.
This is one of the country’s biggest holidays, and according to data from Statista, 67% of Americans think it’s a time to spend with family. If you believe you’re going to be hosting a grand dinner for your people, read on, because that’s exactly what we’ll be helping you with!
1. Make Those Portions Bigger (Even Bigger!)
Besides gratitude, Thanksgiving is a time for joy and hearty gastronomic indulgence. It’s kind of tough to do that if you approach recipes with a tiny hand. This isn’t the time to think about everyone’s waistline, so for this one night, cut yourself and your family some slack.
Remember, even if there’s an excess of food, that ends up being unintentional meal prep for the next few days. You and your family get to eat well, and you don’t have to cook stuff the day after. It’s a win-win situation.
Turkey is naturally going to be a staple in a Thanksgiving dinner, so don’t overlook it! It’s easy to get carried away and focus too much on other dishes like your mashed potatoes and salads. However, if there isn’t enough turkey to go around, well, that’s not ideal.
Remember to get enough turkey. Southern Living notes that 40% to 50% of every turkey consists of bone and parts that you aren’t going to eat. That means each pound of turkey gets your guests about eight or nine ounces of meat. Remember, you aren’t going to regret having extra food for a once-a-year festival.
2. Add Uniqueness Through Drinks
If the inner chef in you feels frustrated at being limited to Turkey and traditional food, stick with us. You have ample opportunity to showcase your creativity by focusing on drink options.
Yes, beer is a given, but don’t be afraid to experiment. You can even make custom cocktails and impress the socks off your guests. So, in case Bourbon is a favorite in your family, you can make several variations based on it.
The Liquor Bros has a few ideas to help you with this, such as the Buffalo Trace Mint Julep. It’s a classic Southern cocktail that’s a combination of Bourbon, mint leaves, simple syrup, and mint sprig.
That said, it’s possible that you have your hands tied with all the cooking, and managing drinks can be too much work. If so, you can always order a selection of wines and spirits in advance from an online store. Just be sure to find something interesting. It’s Thanksgiving, after all.
3. There’s No Reason for Stress
Nothing ruins the holiday spirit mood more than stress, and you can bet that planning a large gathering and dinner will bring some. This is why it’s so important that you anticipate sources of stress and cut the roots out before they can even begin to show.
If the stress is coming from you not having enough help, don’t just bottle it up. Talk to your partner and kids if you have any and get them to help.
If you sense people are going to start arguing over politics, ensure everyone gets the message in advance that you want a happy and peaceful dinner. You are the host, and a “no politics or religion” rule is what many people insist on.
In a recent Reader’s Digest article, parenting expert John DeGarmo notes that conversations around religion often bring out passionate and explosive arguments. People have the right to their opinions, but if that’s going to mean arguing over the dinner table on Thanksgiving, that’s unacceptable.
Another common source of stress tends to be the expectation for things to be perfect. If in-laws are going to be there, it always makes things much more complicated in this regard. While it’s easier said than done, simply do your best and try to put any negative self-talk about needing to impress others to rest.
All things considered, the most important point to remember is that you take a moment to be grateful. There’s a lot that goes wrong in life, but so much goes right, and we ought to be grateful every day. That said, Thanksgiving is a nice and convenient time to gather with friends and family and share what we’re all grateful for.
