Entertaining 50 Guests for Thanksgiving (no matter the size of your home)

Is it your turn to host Thanksgiving dinner this year? Cheer up lady, this is good news! I have compiled a list of tips to help you dance your way through the holiday chaos. Your guests will be so pleased (not to mention stuffed) that they won’t want to go home.

Here are a few tips…

-Make a list of people to invite and what you want to serve (everything from drinks to appetizers, to dessert).

-Keep your meal simple (4-5 entrees) and then have every family to sign up to bring something-(preferably multiple items with the same recipe) that way when the stuffing runs out, you just add the next one, but no one knows since they all taste the same.

-Invite guests through email, start a private facebook page, or use evite.com.  This will allow everyone to openly discuss recipes, etc.  Make sure your address and the times are included.

-When guests RSVP, have them sign up for the food entree they are bringing.  A good rule for the amount is for them to bring enough for a few families.

-Make sure they bring their own serving trays and utensils (this cuts down on dishes and messes for you).

-Tactfully assign the appetizers to the relative who is always on time, even a little early.

-Have all of the tables, chairs, games, serving bowls, etc set out and ready to go the night before (this, of course, includes getting the turkey ready since it has to go in the oven crazy early).

-Assign a door greeter.  This can be an older child or an uncle who needs a job.  They can tell everyone where to put purses and coats and food.

-Don’t stress about everyone doing the same thing at the same time.  If your family room is small, have activities available in the yard, basement, bedrooms, driveway, etc…

-Don’t try and seat everyone in the same place.  Chances are they will all eat where they are already hanging out.

-Use paper plates.  Just because your mom always used grandma’s china, doesn’t mean you have too.  It is a lot of work and you can’t put it in the dishwasher.

–DON’T STRESS.  Your idea of perfect is just that- your idea.  Everyone will enjoy themselves much better if you can sit back and try and relax.  Oh yeah, and don’t forget to eat:)