Holiday traditions are often passed down from generation to generation, and Thanksgiving is no exception. Some of my favorite traditions are watching my uncles watch the football game, eating a delicious home-cooked “potluck” meal, and getting to spend time with family as we play games around the table after the feast. Many families traditions I’m sure are similar to mine. This is why it becomes stressful for some when they are asked to host their first Thanksgiving dinner with all of the extended family and/or friends watching their every move. Here are some tips that you may find helpful if it is your turn to host Thanksgiving.
Make it a “Potluck Dinner”- Assign relatives or friends dishes to bring, especially if you know who makes great mashed potatoes, or a delicious green bean dish. It will reduce your stress and help them to feel included. That way if there are picky children as well, they can be taken care of without causing you extra stress.
Appetizers – Appetizers may sound a little daunting at first, when thinking of preparing a meal, but in the case of Thanksgiving,appetizers will just help to keep guests hands off of the real food until everyone arrives and it is time to eat. They should be easy,simple and inexpensive. Chex Mix often does the trick, and people won’t eat too much of it because they know the feast is still coming.
Don’t forget to thaw the Turkey – Unless you have assigned the main dish to a guest, don’t forget to move the turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator a few days in advance, or you may have some unhappy guests. It takes the Turkey a few days to thaw in the refrigerator so this is an important part that may prove disastrous if forgotten.
Don’t stress about it too much- Thanksgiving isn’t meant to be a day of stress and problems. Instead it is a day to give thanks for the things in life you treasure most, friends, family, food, religion, football, or whatever else it may be. Just remember to be thankful.
Don’t let this day of giving thanks become a day of financial stress for you and your loved ones. Check city offers affordable payday loans and an easy way to cash your paycheck. Many locations are open late to provide you with a little something extra to be Thankful for this season.
