Thanksgiving 2013 is just around the corner and as time passes, we naturally tend to think that we are not properly prepared. That is normal and you should not worry since every single person preparing for a large Thanksgiving dinner can feel like that. Remember the fact that this holiday is all about gratitude and family.
Tips on how to get ready for Thanksgiving 2013
No matter what you do, your family will appreciate the effort that you put in. However, this does not mean that you should just do whatever you may feel like. After all, if you are a host, you need to make sure that your guests feel great. Here are some tips to help you prepare for Thanksgiving 2013:
1. Remember Why You Celebrate Thanksgiving 2013!
This is what counts the most. You can basically plan the perfect Thanksgiving dinner and still end up forgetting the essentials as you get caught up in all the small tasks that have to be performed. Christmas is not the only family time that you get. Thanksgiving is equally important. Remind the children about the Pilgrims and tell them the story of the Mayflower. The first ever Thanksgiving was a reason to celebrate and that is exactly the atmosphere that you want in your home. The Pilgrims are the reason why USA is the great country it is. Remember and cherish what they did while telling children all about that.
2. Planning Your 2013 Thanksgiving
Never wait until the final minutes to prepare and plan Thanksgiving 2013. This is the biggest mistake that you could make. Shop smart and always make sure that you buy everything in time. If you wait for too long, you might not find what you need in the stores. This is especially true in the event that you want to cook some really special Thanksgiving recipes that require rare ingredients.
Every single year there is a Thanksgiving food rush. That is why you have to prepare for at least 1 week ahead of time. Shop for those items that can get spoiled fast close to the holiday! Everything else should be bought ahead of time. Also, remember these tips:
- All pie crusts and bread dough can be frozen ahead of time
- The sweet potatoes can be cut and peeled ahead of time and stored in refrigerator baggies or even in a mason jar
- Pay close attention to the Turkey Recipes that you will prepare so that you know exactly how much time you need
- Don’t forget about Thanksgiving side dishes and Thanksgiving desserts
3. Pay Close Attention To Kids
We already mentioned the fact that you should teach people to be grateful through Thanksgiving 2013 but we also have to understand the fact that kids do get bored easily. If you have children or children will come over to your house for Thanksgiving dinner, you need to factor this into your planning. You can keep them entertained through Thanksgiving games for kids or through special Thanksgiving crafts. Also, if possible, try to arrange some sort of play area for them to have fun while grown-ups talk. It is also quite an interesting idea to arrange a small table for the young ones so that they can enjoy their own company. Grown-up talk is never entertaining for children during Thanksgiving.
If you plan to have the family over for an entire day with a Thanksgiving dinner planned at night, you can use the day to entertain everyone. If you have a backyard, make sure that you use it. You can play some football or just organize a really fast barbeque in the morning for a quick snack. Make sure that it is also festive.
4. Buy Your Turkey Ahead Of Time!
This might seem like common sense but it is something that we tend to forget so often. You cannot really have Thanksgiving without turkey. The only option when that happens is when you opt for alternative dishes but even then, you still need turkey breast or similar meat.
The problem with turkeys is that they do sell really fast. This is especially true for the heavy ones. If you plan to cook dinner for a larger number of people, it is vital that you buy you turkey ahead of cooking date. This guarantees that you actually have what to cook. The turkey can easily be refrigerated until it I needed.
5. Don’t Forget About Thanksgiving 2013 Decorations!
While most people stay focused on what they will cook and do not care much about decorations, you need to be smart about everything and understand the fact that the atmosphere is what makes everything a lot better than it might seem at first glance. Just think about going into a home that is festively decorated. Now compare with your regular interior design.
There are not many modifications that are necessary. For instance, you can simply add some covers to the chairs or use festive decorations for the table. Make sure that your food is also arranged in a way that is attractive and try to just do all that you can so that your home is as welcoming as possible.
Thanksgiving 2013 Will Be Memorable If You Are Grateful!
It is really easy to say this but it is a piece of advice that you have to remember at all times. Unfortunately, there are so many people that get tangled up in all that they have to do and they basically forget to be grateful about the opportunity of having the family over. Do not overdo it! It is a guarantee that your family will love what you did and all that is necessary is to do as much as you can. This holiday is not about competition. It is all about being grateful and having quality family time.
It is always a great idea to ask the guests what they would enjoy doing or eating ahead of time. That would help you to have something available for everyone. In addition, all the guests would thus feel welcomed and appreciated, which is exactly what Thanksgiving is all about!