Thanksgiving is a special time of year to gather with loved ones and be thankful for the people in your life. But the preparations around the holidays can add an extra layer of pressure. To ensure your home is ready for the Thanksgiving holiday, follow these tips:

1. Plan the menu: Traditional Thanksgiving staples include roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, casseroles, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and so much more. But not everybody can eat everything. Be thoughtful about your guests’ food restrictions, preferences and allergies and include meals that accommodate these dietary needs.




2. Draft a guest list: It is important to determine how many guests you are having over so you can plan your meal and seat arrangements accordingly. Consider size constraints as well as budgetary constraints when drawing up your list. It’s good manners to give your guests 3 to 4 weeks’ notice so they can figure out their plans and confirm presence.




3. Shop ahead: By planning your menu in advance and shopping early, you can save money on holiday meals. Look out for sales in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and stock up on non-perishable items.




4. Make and freeze meals: Save yourself the headache of making several dishes in a day or two. Instead, prepare some meals that can be frozen and ready to pop in the oven on Thanksgiving Day.




5. Delegate dishes: Thanksgiving is all about sharing a meal with your loved ones, so be upfront with your guests and work with them to decide who’s bringing which side dishes and desserts.




6. Plan the seating arrangement: If you have limited space and are hosting a rather large crowd for the holidays, seating everyone can present some challenges. If you don’t have a table large enough for all guests, try a few using smaller tables instead. Arrange for children to sit in the middle seats and adults to sit in the outer seats. If any guests are left-handed, you may want to seat them on the left corners so they don’t bump elbows with the person next to them.




7. Prepare the guest rooms: Get a jump on preparing your home for visitors and get the guest rooms dusted and cleaned ahead of time. Provide all the essentials, such as fresh bedding, folded towels, and toiletries. Additionally, clear out some space in the closet and have a few empty hangers available.




8. Set the table: Bring out your china, crystal, silver, and best linen cloths. Personalize your table settings with name cards so guests know where to sit. For your centerpiece, the options are endless – from pumpkin topiaries to vases of blooms and wood trays with candles and garlands. Just make sure whatever centerpiece you choose isn’t too tall and allows guests to see each other across the table. 

This holiday season I hope you know how thankful I am for your business. If a new house or a refinance is one of your goals for the new year, I would love to help! Call me today to discuss your finances and homebuying options.