Prepare Your Home for Thanksgiving

You’ve finally gotten into the swing of a new fall routine, but Thanksgiving is just around the corner. If hosting your friends and family for a day of feasting and relaxing is giving you heart palpitations, then this guide is for you.

Everyone is busy this time of year, so if you don’t have the availability for a complete decorating makeover, you can create a fun and festive environment without making any major changes at all! Here’s how:

Plan Out Activities

First, consider what activities you envision for Thanksgiving. I recommend you do this based on who will be attending. If there will be small children, elderly relatives, or a large number of guests, you may find it beneficial to break up your home into activity-based spaces. Talk with your family about which rooms or spaces will be off limits. You can make your existing layout work with a little planning.

Create Stations

Create spaces for how you anticipate people will spend time together, and what kind of experience you want your guests to have. For example, you may wish to create a drink station in the kitchen for guests to enjoy beverages with you while you prepare appetizers; turn on the game in the living room where folks can cheer on their favourite team; set up a large table in the dining room so everyone can feast together; and gather chairs in small groups on the patio (weather permitting) for your guests to gather after dinner.

Collaborate With Guests

If you don’t already, collaborating on the holidays can really help minimize stress all around. Make the day potluck style, and encourage your friends to bring side dishes. You can set up your kitchen counter, kitchen island, or console table as a buffet line. If you’re short on seating options, ask your guests to bring extra seating.

At the end of the day, Thanksgiving is about spending time with your loved ones and enjoying your time together. Take control over your space, use what you have, and enjoy the day. Happy Thanksgiving