“Today I have to start the rolls, cranberry sauce, and dressing, and then I’ll work on the five types of cookies I always make, and then tomorrow, the potatoes and beans. But I have no idea when I’m going to clean the house!” my friend rattled off two days before Thanksgiving. She had 20 people coming to her house, even though she has four young boys and didn’t really want to host. Yet, her house was the consensus, and she didn’t say no. She was stressed. Sound familiar?
There’s no “easy button” for Thanksgiving. Everything must be straight out of Grandma’s recipe book, and the house needs to look like it belongs in Magnolia Journal. Or does it? Could a mom, say, cheat a little and preserve some sanity? Absolutely! And here are 5 Thanksgiving hacks to help you do it.
1. Clean only the areas you’ll open up to your guests.
Yes! You can do this! Where are the areas that you don’t want people to enter? Is it your master bedroom, laundry room, or basement? Is it that one guest bedroom where all the “stuff” goes? Close the doors and focus on the other parts of the house. Cleaning only the areas that matter will free up a lot of time and energy.
Bonus Tip: Don’t let yourself get distracted by deep cleaning. This is not the time to clean every window or reorganize the closet because that will take up too much time. Stay focused!
2. Make the meaningful dishes yourself, but buy the rest.
Let go of the thought that every dish should be homemade. It’s at your house, so you get to decide what’s homemade. Think about which recipes are traditions that mean something special (it might not even be the turkey!) and buy the rest from a store or restaurant.
Bonus Tip: Two popular restaurants to “cheat” from are Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel.
3. Use elegant but disposable plates and napkins.
This is the best Thanksgiving hack, if you’re willing to put your mom’s old china back in the cupboard. Have you seen the disposable plates that look just like real ones? They’re sturdy, pretty, and not very expensive either. Your guests might not even notice. And after it’s all over, the worker bees of the family will be happy there are fewer dishes and more time to play games or veg out!
Bonus Tip: While plastic or paper plates are awesome, plastic silverware tends to break when cutting your food. So unless you need extra silverware, stick to your usual flatware. It’s easy enough to throw it in the dishwasher afterward.
4. Use what you already have.
For some reason, hosting usually gives me an urge to buy a bunch of new things. And while it’s kind of fun, it will take a lot of your time and money. Use what you have. Look around your house. Need activities? Gather iMOM’s printable Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt, playing cards, and board games and put them out on the tables. Need decorations? Use tablecloths you already have, and fill bowls with apples or pears. Keep it simple.
Bonus Tip: Put your kids to good use and have them create place cards for each guest. They don’t have to be fancy—they’ll be cute, and that’s even better.
5. Make it a potluck dinner.
If your house was volunteered as the best location for Thanksgiving this year, then you have the right to make it a potluck! As the hostess, you can provide a few big items like the main dish, plate settings, and drinks. Let the guests provide the rest! Even those who have a bit of a drive can bring something simple like a pie or chips.
Bonus Tip: Create a SignUpGenius to ensure you don’t end up with four sweet potato casseroles.
6. Eat at 6.
For some reason, most people have their Thanksgiving meal at noon or in the early afternoon. But why add pressure to the day by eating so early? By moving it to 6 p.m., you’ll give yourself more time to prepare. And if certain people come early, they can help you cook.
Bonus Tip: In addition to changing the time, change the date! By hosting on Saturday, you add flexibility for those who work during the week.
The whole time you’re preparing, keep the big picture in mind. The goal of the holidays shouldn’t be to impress but to enjoy each other’s company. You can’t enjoy anything if you are stretched too thin. So do whatever you have to do to make sure you have a little energy left over to be present with the people around you.
What are your best Thanksgiving hacks?
Don’t forget to take time to relax and laugh with your family when you’re all together. Check out these 15 Fall Riddles and Jokes on All Pro Dad!
