Is it your turn to host for the holiday? Consider these five tips to impress your guests and keep your cool this Thanksgiving.
Make a Plan
No matter how thankful we are to spend time with our loved ones, a packed house can cause extra stress. A week before the big day, confirm the head count and create a grocery list. Don’t wait until the last minute to visit the grocery store. Bonus tip: use curbside pickup to avoid crowds and save time. You can also prep some sides in advance to help lighten the load Thursday morning.
Thaw in Advance
No one likes a half-cooked bird. Follow instructions based on the weight of your Thanksgiving turkey when determining thaw times. The Department of Agriculture recommends placing frozen meat in the fridge to thaw at a consistent, safe temperature. Your bird will need one day to thaw per 4–5 pounds of body weight. Once thawed, you can safely refrigerate your turkey for up to two additional days.
Always Accept Helping Hands
Just because you’re the host doesn’t mean you have to handle it all yourself. Ask guests to bring a side or dessert. When they arrive and offer to help in the kitchen, assign tasks to ease your to-do list. Embrace the true spirit of the holiday season and soak up time with friends and family.
Prepare for Leftovers
After everyone feasts, cleanup begins. Ask family members to bring their own containers or provide resealable bags. Leftovers are a perfect parting gift, and sharing amongst friends leaves more room in your fridge—a win-win!
Keep Safety in Mind
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. On Thanksgiving Day, first responders encounter triple the residential cooking fires than the daily average.
Never leave food cooking unattended. Set timers and reminders to monitor items being fried, baked or grilled. Be prepared and have a fire extinguisher on hand. In the event of a fire, stay calm and call 911 if it becomes unmanageable.
At the end of the day, it’s not about having the fanciest table settings or wowing guests with one-of-a-kind recipes. MidSouth EC wishes you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We’re thankful to have you as a member!
