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The countdown to Thanksgiving has begun.  The menu is written out, the grocery list is made, and now all we have to do is go shopping.  Sounds easy, doesn’t it?  Once you get those things done, then the plans should go along smoothly, right?

But, somehow when Thanksgiving Day comes, there always seems to be chaos.  Either a dish is forgotten, kids are underfoot, or you’ve run out of chairs.

Here’s where planning comes in.  Yes, you want to serve a nice meal, and for the most part you have that handled.  So, where does the chaos begin?  Perhaps in all the extras you need to consider when you have a full house and a full table.  Let’s take a look at a few simple ideas to get over the hurdles and avoid the craziness that comes with such a busy holiday.

Ask for help with dinner.

While you are planning your menu, take a look at all the dishes that will require your oven.  Will you be able to fit everything in around the turkey?  Perhaps Aunt Mary can bring those wonderful Candied Carrots she made last year at her house.  Maybe instead of trying to fit dinner rolls in the oven to bake, Cousin Nicole could bring a batch and just heat them up.  As the Thanksgiving host, you want to provide your own specialties, but you don’t have to provide everything.

Map out your day.

This involves at least two maps; one for the food and one for the table setting.  Write down your entire menu and list who’s going to bring what.  Post this right on the front of your refrigerator along with a pencil to cross off dishes as they are brought out.  Forgetting Great-Grandma’s special Cranberry Relish is not good and can cause embarrassment or hurt feelings.  The table setting map should include an actual drawing of the table, chairs, and place settings.  This way you will instantly see if you are missing something, like Grandpa’s favorite chair and cushion or Baby Jennie’s highchair.

Have fun and games ready.

This is very often where the chaos begins in many households.  When guests walk in the door with their baskets of food, they also walk in the door with kids looking for something to do.  While the adults are busy in the kitchen, the kids are getting bored; and bored kids lead to trouble. Plan for instant fun for the kids and have games and activities out and ready.  This is another area in which you can delegate.  Have each family bring one fun craft or game for the kids to do either before or after dinner.  Here are a couple ideas to get you thinking:

• Set up a table away from the kitchen with construction paper, glue, crayons, and kiddie scissors. Have one fun craft done ahead of time and sitting on the table.  For younger kids you might like to try a hand-print construction paper turkey.  Each child can use the items provided and create their own turkey, write their name on it, and bring it with them to the table for a special place marker.
• For older children you may want to get a guessing game ready.  Write down names of famous people from history, television, movies, or even your own family members, on slips of paper and throw them in a bowl.  Each child draws out a name and becomes that person.  The other children take turns asking questions about the person and the first person to guess the identify wins.  Limit the number of questions to around ten to keep the game moving.  You can even provide props like fancy hats, eye glasses, or even wigs.

I know your day is already crazy with planning and preparation, and it seems like one more idea about how to plan ahead may seem overwhelming, but truly, if you put into place these simple strategies, the big day will be less chaotic and much more enjoyable.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

Warm regards,

Susanne – The Hillbilly Housewife

www.HillbillyHousewife.com

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