Thanksgiving is a time where families gather together to cook, eat, and celebrate. Some families have traditions like watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in New York City on T.V., while others spend their day playing football or watching football games. Whatever your family traditions are, this year, Thanksgiving probably looks a little bit different due to the spread of coronavirus. This year, your extended family is probably planning not to gather to celebrate. Some families may be joining together virtually, while others may be planning to join solely with household members in-person.
Regardless of your family’s plans, you’ll want to make sure that your Thanksgiving is as perfect as it can be. If you live in an apartment, you might be nervous about hosting dinner in a smaller space. However, many apartment communities offer private rooms that you can reserve for your family if you need more space. If you decide to host Thanksgiving in your apartment, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you host dinner successfully. Here are 5 tips to help make your Thanksgiving a festive and favorable occasion.
Prepare dishes ahead of time
Every successful Thanksgiving dinner begins with preparation. It takes a lot of time and planning to roast a turkey, especially if you want it done right. Similarly, other dishes take time to prepare, such as mashed potatoes, in which the potatoes need to be washed, peeled, boiled, and mashed to make. You’ll want to plan out which side dishes you want to serve as well, such as green bean casserole and rolls, and decide whether you want to make them from scratch or buy them pre-made. Additionally, consider the sauces you’ll need, including the gravy and cranberry sauce. Last but not least, remember to plan out which pies you’ll make for dessert, and consider making them a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving, so that you don’t need to worry about making dessert on the day of the big feast.
Check your serving utensils and tableware
It’s important to make sure that you have enough serving utensils and tableware for the entire family on Thanksgiving. Count your forks, knives, spoons, as well as serving utensils like ladles, which will be essential for serving gravy. Additionally, make sure that you have all of the serving dishes you’ll need, including smaller bowls for sauces, larger plates and dishes for casseroles and rolls, and even an extra large dish to serve the carved turkey. Once you’re aware which utensils and tableware items you’ll need, try to buy them before Thanksgiving day since many stores are either closed or have limited hours on the holiday.
Rearrange the furniture
Since apartments are generally smaller than houses, it’s a good idea to rearrange the furniture to open up the dining room and kitchen to allow more space for family to congregate. If you have a leaf for your table, use it so that you have more table space for all of the decadent Thanksgiving dishes. If you serve Thanksgiving dinner buffet style, consider bringing out more chairs to the main spaces for more seating. Whichever way you choose, make sure there is enough space for your household to easily move around and eat.
Decorate your apartment
It’s always a good idea to decorate your apartment with fall and Thanksgiving decorations to bring a festive spirit to the room. Use fall scented candles, colored napkins and tablecloths, artificial fall leaves, and maybe even a cornucopia to decorate your apartment. Your household will be able to feel the holiday spirit, even if the entire extended family isn’t able to be together in-person.
Clean as you go
Nobody likes to clean or wash dishes on Thanksgiving, but if you clean as you go, it will make your day go more smoothly and help there be less mess at the end of your meal. After making a dish, immediately wash the plates, bowls, and anything else you used. That way, your kitchen will stay organized and you won’t run out of utensils, measuring cups, and other items.
Ready for a festive day
If you follow these tips, you’ll be prepared and have a successful Thanksgiving in your apartment with your family. Along with these tips, make sure to check the CDC’s guidance on Thanksgiving gatherings to keep your family members safe. Remember, if you need a larger space to serve dinner, many apartment communities offer private rooms that you can reserve for your family. Now, you are ready to have a festive day not only full of delicious food, but also a day where you can make more happy memories with your loved ones.
444 Social is family-friendly and offers a variety of apartment floor plans for families of all sizes. Interested in learning more about our apartment complex in Lincolnshire? Contact us here for more information.