Thanksgiving Dinner Entertaining Tips

Prepare the Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner

We did a little research to help you host a top-notch Thanksgiving dinner party in your Atlanta new homes. Here are some of our favorite tips and recommendations.

Ask guests about dietary restrictions and try to accommodate them by preparing dishes that can be enjoyed by all. Making each person their own dish could get out of hand, but preparing a couple of meatless dishes or a couple of wheat-free dishes that everyone else can also eat, will ensure that no one feels neglected, and that everyone leaves with a satisfied tummy.

If someone offers help, take it! Let your guests bring dishes to the party. This will likely make them feel more involved, and will certainly help lighten your load. There’s no rule against having a communal, pot-luck style Thanksgiving, so if you want to take that route – go for it. Just make sure that you coordinate with everyone what is being brought to ensure that all of the bases are covered. It is considered bad etiquette to ask guests to bring specific dishes (unless there is a dish that one person just makes so well that others are requesting it), so let your guests know what types of dishes are needed and encourage them to bring that (i.e., “we could really use one more vegetable dish”) and let them decide what exactly to bring.

Keep it simple. Look for recipes that feature time-saving store-bought items. You can fancy up a store-bought dessert or side dish and no one will know the difference. Plan a menu that also allows you to prepare as much as possible in advance. Soups, casseroles, pies and more can all be made days in advance and refrigerated or frozen, and will only taste better, so try to choose dishes that do not all have to be made on the big day. Make it your goal to enjoy yourself, and your guests will enjoy themselves as well.

Plan children’s activities. Set up a small table within eyesight where the kids can color, work on puzzles, play cards, etc. They will need something to keep them busy while the adults socialize. You can also use this table as the children’s eating table, if there is not enough room for everyone at the dining room table. Adorn the kid’s table with kid-friendly, educational party decorations so that they feel included in the celebration.

Host a dinner in a beautiful new Ashton Woods Home. Homes are available now for move-in by Thanksgiving, and at excellent year-end pricing, so you could host your meal in a gorgeous new home. Visit www.ashtonwoodshomes.com/atlanta to learn more.