Your Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting a Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner!

First, remember to pay homage to the original settlers and the Native Americans, who started this wonderful tradition.

A few days before the big event, make sure you stock up with a visit to your local supermarket.

You may even want to go to directly to the butcher for your turkey to make sure it is freshest!

If you’re a more adventurous hostess, a pork roast or ham would also be nice!

Or even a rack of lamb!

Don’t worry if you forget something…

You can always send a friend or relative out later to pick up extra items.

Or maybe your grocer delivers?

Fresh cauliflower is nice as a side dish, although you may want to cook it a few hours before your guests arrive due to its strong smell.

It is visually pleasing to serve some orange or yellow vegetables to give your table that autumnal look.

But you can easily take a few time-saving shortcuts…

like canned…

or frozen vegetables.

Speaking of sweets, you’ll need to start baking at least a week in advance to make sure your oven is free for your turkey.

Leave a note for the milkman that you’ll need extra milk and cream for Thursday…

– not to mention lots of eggs…

and shortening!

They’ll come in handy when baking your holiday bread.

Especially shortnin’ bread!

And don’t forget the butter!

When designing your holiday menu, pies…

and cakes of every variety help top off the perfect meal.

But if baking is not your forte…

Be creative!

You can always run down to the local bakery and no one will be the wiser!

You might also ask someone to bring something for dessert. Ice cream is always a crowd-pleaser.

If you’re lucky, one of your guests may even bring a fruit basket for your holiday table.

To host a successful Thanksgiving Dinner, you’ll need to abide by a rigid time schedule!  Don’t forget to leave time to…

wash and iron the table linens…

make sure your cutlery is polished and in good shape…

and clean your oven and stove-top!  It will be working overtime!

Hopefully, you had a few moments to buy yourself something pretty to impress your guests. Just don’t go over budget!

Thanksgiving is a holiday centered on fattening foods, so it may be a good idea to fast for a few days before.

Get plenty of rest!  You don’t want to be dozing off during the big day.  There are tons of things to do.

First, set up the children’s table.

There will be lots of young people to feed and there’s never enough room at the adult table for all those young tykes.

On Thanksgiving eve, don’t forget to set your alarm!

You’ll want to be up extra early to tackle a full day of cooking and family visits!

Prepare a light breakfast – you don’t want to fill up too soon!

Make sure you are dressed for cooking – you don’t want to stain that new dress!

Don’t be embarrassed to recruit your family to help you in the kitchen! Kids love to cook!

Be sure to put your bird in the oven early!  The smell of it roasting will fill the house when your guests arrive, but not if you forget to pay the gas bill!

The proper hostess always serves a fresh green salad…

dressed with a delicious salad dressing, perhaps one made from an old family recipe.

Remember to taste your food as you go – but don’t let your guests catch you or they’ll all want a bite!

As the dinner hour approaches, you may want to put out some finger foods like a fancy pickle tray…

or an array of international cheeses.

Finally, it is time to sit around the table.

Start by having the youngest guest say grace.

And then the host may propose a holiday toast!

You may even want to serve a vintage wine with dinner.

Then with as much fanfare as possible, produce the star of your show – your beautiful Thanksgiving turkey!

Enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace, but don’t get impatient if not everyone finishes at the same time!

Don’t forget to leave room for dessert!  You may want seconds!

End the meal with fresh hot coffee and tea.

After dinner, volunteering at the local soup kitchen can reinforce the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Or you might consider showing home movies…

board games…

gathering for a good old fashioned sing-along…

watching football…

or just sit around telling heart-warming stories.

But don’t forget that you still have to clear the table…

and generally clear away the remains of the feast.

and wash the dishes.

You will likely have lots of leftovers, so don’t hesitate to give your guests something to take home.

Turkey makes excellent sandwiches…

or a hearty lunch-box snack for the man in your life!

After your company has departed, tend to those last little details that come from having a houseful of guests.

Hectic days like this can age even the most energetic hostess, but sleep soundly in the knowledge that you’ve served up the ideal Thanksgiving Dinner!

Remember, Christmas is just around the corner!