9 Clever Tips for Hosting the Best Thanksgiving Dinner Ever
Looking for ways to organize yourself to host Thanksgiving? Here are 9 simple tips to hosting the best Thanksgiving dinner ever. Not hosting this year? Check out my Thanksgiving hostess gift ideas at the end of this post.
Do you host Thanksgiving dinner? It is my favorite holiday and we host it every year.
We get together with our large extended family and have the best time. It’s a great opportunity to re-connect and catch up with one another.
But the other reason it’s my favorite holiday of the year is that my birthday typically falls on or around Thanksgiving.
So we have even more to celebrate!
Before we renovated our home 15 years ago and moved, it was tough to host everyone here for Thanksgiving.
Because we just didn’t have the space!
We used to only host my side of the family, which is pretty small.
Once we renovated, we were able to include my husband’s side of the family.
And he’s the 6 of 7 kids.
So I’m sure you can imagine how big the holidays are around here.
Since renovating, we typically host our family of about 20-30 people.
The numbers go up and down but in general, between kids and adults, we range from 20-30 people.
So it’s a pretty big event! And I’m always looking for ways to seat more guests around the dinner table, decorate, and recipes to serve.
But as a hostess, I’ve got the day down pat.
Here are my best tips to hosting the best Thanksgiving dinner ever.
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Set the Stage for a Cozy Thanksgiving Dinner
Before we get to hosting the big day, it’s important to decorate and create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere for guests.
Create a Festive and Welcoming Front Entry for Thanksgiving
Before we even talk about hosting, I can’t stress enough how important it is to create a cozy, festive and welcoming entry.
Because first impressions are everything!
While you don’t have to go crazy, even a few pumpkins and flowers go a long way.
But I’m a more the merrier kind of gal when it comes to decorating the front porch for fall, so when you drop by my house, there will always be an abundance of flowers, plants, and festive seasonal decor.
Where the front porch or entry is concerned, add some pumpkins, chrysanthemums, or other fall flowers to add a cozy touch when guests arrive.
And because it’s the end of the season, you can get leftover pumpkins and flowers for a steal!
So if you are looking for a bargain with late fall decor for Thanksgiving, hold out until after Halloween.
Making Room at the Thanksgiving Dinner Table
We enjoy a sit-down Thanksgiving dinner every year.
But how do we do it with such a large crowd?
It’s all about the table configuration. And I like a configuration that fosters conversation with the whole group. Not just with the people sitting across or next to you.
Now my dining room is not the largest, but we figured out a way to extend our dining table to make extra seating without using folding tables.
Aren’t those table annoying sometimes? They are all different heights, awkward and unstable.
A few years ago we addressed this very problem so we could seat more guests at our dining table without using folding tables.
And we love the result!
You can check out here how we made a DIY dining table topper for extra seating.
Simple Fall Table Decor Ideas
Our Thanksgiving table decor looks different each year. One year, I decorated with more traditional autumnal colors. Another time, I decorated the dining table with soft neutrals.
And if you notice, I use a lot of the same decor items but in different ways.
Last year, I mixed winter and fall decor together and it looked so cool! That might’ve been my favorite table.
This year, I’m playing around with a few ideas.
I’m not sure if I’ll go with this organic, neutral fall table decor or this beautiful fall table setting idea.
But whatever route I choose to go, there must be a beautiful centerpiece included.
It could be a fresh centerpiece filled with mums and pumpkins.
Or maybe it’s made with fresh cut flowers from the garden or market.
But sometimes faux is the way to go, like this rustic fall centerpiece idea for the dining table.
It’s really easy to make!
But if you are looking for something super simple, you might already have most of these on hand for this easy fall centerpiece idea.
This year, I’m focusing on a warm autumn color palette for my Thanksgiving table.
I shared some beautiful fall table decor ideas and some Thanksgiving food ideas as well.
Oh and here are a few Thanksgiving centerpieces that you’ve got to check out in the video below.
9 Simple Tips for Hosting the Best Thanksgiving Dinner Ever
Whether you’ve never hosted Thanksgiving before or you are a pro, there’s lots of ways to streamline the big day to make things easier for you.
Follow these simple tips for a stress-free Thanksgiving Dinner.
- Plan ahead of time and don’t be shy asking for help. If you have a lot of guests, divvy up the dishes. Ask guests to contribute a dish to lighten the load. Just because you are hosting doesn’t mean you have to cook the whole darn thing!
- Determine how many guests are attending and create a dinner table configuration that fosters conversation with everyone. We re-configure our farmhouse dining table to be a square shape so guests can all see and talk to each other.
- Make or buy a beautiful centerpiece. If using a live centerpiece, create or buy it a day or two before the event. If using a faux centerpiece for the dining table, create it as early as possible to save yourself time and energy well before Thanksgiving.
- Determine what dishes you are making, then make a grocery shopping list.
- If making more than one dish, prioritize the ones that can be made ahead of time and ones that need to be made on Thanksgiving Day.
- Get beverages for adults and children a few days before. These don’t go bad, so pick up beverages early Thanksgiving week or sooner!
- Set the table with fall table decor the day before. Be creative and use lots of layers. The more layers, the cozier and more welcoming the table feels.
- Prepare make ahead dishes the day before to make things easier on Thanksgiving Day.
- Make place cards for each guest. These can be simple or elaborate. Do what you have time for.
- When you are enjoying the meal, go around the table and give each guest the floor to say what they are thankful for. This has always been the best part of our Thanksgiving dinner. Our entire family enjoys this the most from grandparents to grandbabies. It’s a heartwarming touch to hosting the best thanksgiving dinner. And you won’t believe the things you learn!
Want to Learn What You Need to Set a Beautiful Thanksgiving Table?
Click here to get my FREE GUIDE that tells you everything you need to set a gorgeous table!
Welcome friends and family to a cozy dining table with this must-have list of tabletop decor that you’ll use over and over again.
Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas
Not sure how to organize Thanksgiving Dinner?
Here is a list of Thanksgiving dinner menu items to get you started.
- Turkey
- Stuffing
- Gravy
- Sweet Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes
- Vegetable Sides
- Salad
- Charcuterie or other light apps
- Pumpkin Pie
- Pecan Pie
- Apple Pie
If you are looking for great Thanksgiving food menu ideas.
Host Gifts for Thanksgiving
Not hosting this year?
Here are some great Thanksgiving hostess gift ideas.
I hope you found some great Thanksgiving dinner inspiration and hostess gift ideas. We are looking forward to reconnecting and spending time with our family this year.
I am thankful that my girls will be home from college and we’ll have the whole family back under one roof.
Each day is a blessing.
What are you thankful for this year?
From our family to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
More Thanksgiving Ideas
If you are looking for more Thanksgiving Day ideas and inspiration, check out these posts.
From hosting gifts to table decor, food, and menu ideas, I’ve got you covered.
- 101 Ideas for Thanksgiving
- The Best Thanksgiving Food and Fall Table Decor Ideas
- How to Set a Cozy Harvest Table
- The Best Recipe for Easy Apple Crisp
- The Best Fall Pumpkin Spice Cocktail
- Thanksgiving Tablescape Idea
- How to Decorate for Fall and Christmas Before Thanksgiving
- How to Set a Thanksgiving Table
- Simple Centerpiece Idea For Your Thanksgiving Aesthetic
Looking for Fall Decorating Ideas
Looking for more fall decorating ideas? Check out these posts.
- Vintage Farmhouse Decor Ideas for Fall Home Tour 2022
- 5 Designer Fall Decorating Ideas for Less
- Rustic Farmhouse Fall Home Tour 2020
- Rustic Farmhouse Fall Home Tour 2021
- Easy Fall Table Decor Ideas
- 5 Easy Fall Decorating Ideas
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