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How To Prep Your Home for Thanksgiving

November 23, 2023

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It’s Thanksgiving day, which means it's time to start prepping your home! Whether you're hosting a large gathering or a small family dinner, there are certain things you should do to get your home ready. 

In this blog post, we'll share some of our top tips for getting your home Thanksgiving-ready. No matter what your plans are, we'll make sure your home is ready for the holiday season. Read on to ensure a stress-free Thanksgiving!

1. Clean Your House

One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for Thanksgiving is to give it a good cleaning. This means dusting, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming every room in your house. Don't forget to clean those hard-to-reach places! If you have time, you can even give your walls and baseboards a quick wipe down.

First impressions are everything, so you want your guests to walk into a clean and welcoming home. A clean house will also make it easier to prepare and cook your Thanksgiving feast.

2. Write Your Guest List

Once you have a cleaned and spruced-up home, it's time to start thinking about who you'll invite over. If you're hosting a large gathering, now is the time to start planning logistics like seating and sleeping arrangements. But even if you're just having a small family dinner, it's still a good idea to make a guest list. This way, you can make sure you have enough food and drinks for everyone.

Writing down your guest list will also help you keep track of RSVPs. This is especially important if you're planning a potluck-style meal and need to know how much food to prepare.

3. Prepare Your Guest Room

If you're hosting out-of-town guests, you'll want to make sure your guest room is ready for their arrival. This means washing all the sheets and towels, dusting and vacuuming the room, and tidying up any clutter. You should also stock the room with essentials like extra blankets, pillows, toiletries, and snacks.

Your goal is to make your guests feel as comfortable as possible, so take some time to personalize the space. Add a few homey touches like fresh flowers or a basket of magazines. And don't forget to leave out a set of house keys!

4. Make a Shopping List

Now that you know how many people you're expecting, it's time to start making a shopping list. This list should include everything you need for the big day, from food and drink to table settings and decorations.

To do this, you need to take a good look at your kitchen and figure out what you have and what you need. Check your cabinets, fridge, and pantry for everything from spices and condiments to canned goods and baking supplies. This is also a good time to start taking inventory of your dishes, glassware, and flatware to make sure you have enough for everyone.

Once you have your list, be sure to check it twice (or three times!) to make sure you haven't forgotten anything important.

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5. Stock the Fridge and Pantry

Now that you have your shopping list, it's time to start stocking up your fridge and pantry. This is especially important if you're hosting guests who have dietary restrictions or allergies.

Start by stocking up on the basics like milk, eggs, bread, and butter. Then, move on to other items like fruits, vegetables, meat, and cheese. If you're expecting vegetarians or vegans, be sure to have plenty of options for them as well. And don't forget the snacks!

6. Plan Your Menu

Now, to the fun part! Thanksgiving is all about the food, so take some time to plan out your menu. If you're stuck, there are plenty of resources online or in cookbooks that can give you some ideas.

Think about what you want to serve for appetizers, main course, side dishes, and dessert. These are just a few ideas to get you started:

Appetizers:

  • Vegetable tray with dip
  • Cheese and crackers
  • Fruit platter
  • Shrimp cocktail

Main Course:

  • Roasted turkey
  • Ham
  • Vegetable lasagna
  • Chicken pot pie

Side Dishes:

  • Mashed potatoes
  • Green beans
  • Corn
  • Stuffing
  • Cranberry sauce

Desserts:

  • Pumpkin pie
  • Apple pie
  • Cheesecake
  • Ice cream

READ MORE: Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

7. Decorate Your Home

Now that you have your menu planned and your house clean, it's time to start decorating for Thanksgiving. This is a great opportunity to get the whole family involved.

You can put up fall-themed decorations like leaves, pumpkins, and gourds. You can also use traditional Thanksgiving decorations like turkeys, pilgrims, and cornucopias. Get creative and have fun with it!

8. Bring Out the Good China

You know what, Thanksgiving is a special occasion, so you might as well break out the good china. This is the time to use those fancy plates and bowls that you only dust off once a year. Using only the best for your family and friends will make the meal that much more special.

From China to flatware, bring out everything that's been stored away in the back of your cabinets. Then, clean them all up so that they're shining like new.

9. Make Sure You Have Enough Seating

Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family and friends, so make sure you have enough seating for everyone. If you don't have enough chairs, see if you can borrow some from your neighbors or rent some from a party rental company.

Don't forget to account for kids, too. You might need to bring out a few extra chairs or set up a play area for them so that they're not underfoot during the meal.

10. Have Fun!

Thanksgiving is a time to relax, eat good food, and enjoy the company of those you love. So, make sure you take some time for yourself and have some fun!

Whether you're watching the parade on TV, playing touch football in the backyard, or just taking a nap, make sure you enjoy the day with your loved ones!

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