Getting Together your Get-together this Thanksgiving
When you’re the host of the Thanksgiving feast, it’s your job to bring more to the table than just a perfectly seasoned turkey. Put your hosting skills on display by following this Thanksgiving dinner prep schedule. From creating your guest list to setting a memorable tablescape, we’ve got you covered. Thanksgiving Prep Schedule: 4 WEEKS AHEAD: Create your guest list and send invites if necessary. Text or email to let your guests know you plan on hosting this year, advanced planning will ultimately make a dinner party that much easier to pull off. Place your order for a fresh turkey. Head to your nearest home supply store to pick up seasonal decorations. 3 WEEKS AHEAD: At this point you should have an accurate headcount, make sure you have enough chairs, tables, and linens. Depending on your RSVPs decide if you need a separate kids table and plan accordingly. 2 WEEKS AHEAD: Create a detailed shopping list. Remember to include at least one kid-friendly item in case you have a picky eater attending (mac and cheese is usually a safe bet). Grocery shop for all the non-perishable items on your list and set them aside at home for the day of. Plan a few items you could tell your guests to bring if they ask (desserts and drinks are good options). Clean out a space in your freezer for your turkey and any other frozen items. 1 WEEK AHEAD: If you’re buying a frozen turkey, now’s the time. Prepare a cooking schedule- this is crucial to ensure the day goes smoothly. Some things can be cooked days in advance, and some items bake at the same temperature so you can cook them simultaneously. Figure out what works best. 4 DAYS AHEAD: Begin cleaning the house, you don’t want to clean too early and have to clean again at the last minute. 2-3 DAYS AHEAD: Defrost the turkey. The day you start doing this is dependent on the size of your turkey. The bigger the turkey, the longer it will take. Most turkeys will finish defrosting in 3 days, 4 max. Any longer and your turkey won't be fresh. 2 DAYS AHEAD: Grocery shop for your perishable items. Buy Ice. Wash and chop vegetables ahead of time. Chill beverages. Now that you’ve cleaned, you can start decorating. DAY BEFORE: Prep food that can be made ahead of time, like cranberry sauce. Prep appetizers so your guests have something to snack on while you finish cooking. Try making a charcuterie board and/or vegetable and dip tray. Leave in the fridge overnight so you can easily pull it out the day of. Select games and coloring books for children to keep them preoccupied on the holiday. Spot clean all rooms guests will be in. Reserve a space where your guests can put their coats/purses. Brine your turkey. THANKSGIVING DAY- (It can be helpful to assign these tasks to specific members of the household) Follow your cooking schedule to get everything ready. Before guests arrive, put out the appetizers, kids activities, and assemble a drink station. Set your tablescape, click here for some tips! Turn the football game on in at least one room for guests who want to watch it. Leave time to do the small things, like putting out condiments such as butter, uncorking the wine, lighting candles, etc.
Tips for Your Tablescape this Thanksgiving
Since Thanksgiving dinner is the focal point of the entire celebration, curating a perfectly photogenic festive display is a must-do. We’ve rounded up a few tips to spark your imagination when creating the ultimate tablescape. Add Chic Chinoiserie Accents These elegantly decorated dinner accessories will make your Thanksgiving feel uber preppy. Play with Color Playing with colors outside the typical brown, orange, and reds you usually see at Thanksgiving can create a whole new and fresh atmosphere to your holiday. Try incorporating turquoise into your tablescape. Get Creative with Pumpkins Pumpkins are cute as is, but adding some paint can tie everything together! Think about assembling clusters of pumpkins to add a fun festive feel. Incorporate Fresh Fruit Add some fresh fruit to your centerpiece! Pumpkins and gourds are the norm, but grapes, apples, and pears look great, too. After all, Fall is the harvest season. Stick to a Color Scheme One of the most important aspects of your tablescape is making sure everything goes together. Choosing a color scheme will help you hone in on what decorations to choose. White and green is a popular choice. They are seasonal, elegant, and timeless when used together. Use Patterned Napkins Throwing in a pattern will be the cherry on top of a great tablescape. We suggest using patterned napkins. Lay them diagonally over the edge of the table. Look for Bold Napkin Rings Festive napkin rings add an entirely new dimension to your tablescape. Take this even further by making your rings statement pieces! Accent with Gold For a more lavish Thanksgiving, brighten up the table with pops of metallic gold. A bit of gold goes a long way, consider using gold wine glasses, gold candles, and/or gold placemats. Source
TOP 10 Reasons to List Your Home During the Holidays
Spring is generally the most popular time of year to sell a house, with swarms of buyers looking to move into a new place before the school year begins. So, you may be surprised that there are actually advantages to selling your home in the winter – here’s our top 10 reasons to list your home during the holidays! People who look for a home during the holidays are more serious buyers. Serious buyers have fewer homes to choose from during this time of year, so your home has less competition. Less competition means more money for you. Buyers usually have more time to look for a home during the holidays than they do during a regular work week. Interest rates are low, giving buyers more buying power [more people will be able to afford your home.] You can sell now [for more money], and delay closing until early next year. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Transfers cannot wait until spring to buy, so list your home now to capture that market. Selling now allows you the opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the spring when more homes are on the market for less money. This will allow you to sell high and buy low. The supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, so there will be less demand for your home. [Less demand = less money for you]. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons, making them more motivated to make a decision.
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