• Tips

4 Reasons Hosting Your Own Thanksgiving Dinner Rocks

November 03, 2017

Please note that this blog was written in 2017. Officials are recommending against family gatherings this year (2020) due to the dangers of COVID-19.

While the idea of hosting Thanksgiving may initially seem scarier than a scene from Halloween Umpteen (coming sooner or later to a theatre near you), we have four stellar reasons to take charge of Turkey Day. From tasty home cooked Thanksgiving recipes to festive Thanksgiving inspired decorations for the home, we’re confident you’ll end up being thankful you signed on to host this fantabulous holiday.

Reason #1: Your Home, Your Holiday Traditions

Most families have Thanksgiving traditions that span decades or even generations. Guaranteed, there are some you love and some, not so much. Now’s the time to blend the best of Thanksgiving past and Thanksgiving future for a truly enjoyable holiday.

Speed round! Yes or no: Should you have assigned seating? Is a designated kids table wise? Should you accept offers to bring food? Are the NFL football games permitted to be on TV during dinner? (If you say yes to football but no to cable, make sure to set up some type of streaming situation for your guests.) Chances are, you have strong opinions on all of these topics, and then some. When you have Thanksgiving at your house, you decide which traditions stay, which ones go, and which traditions start with you.

Reason #2: Your Home, Your Home Cooked Thanksgiving Recipes

Sure, the benefits of homeownership include financial and emotional well-being. Only slightly less well known is the fact that hosting Thanksgiving at your own house gives you the authority to answer the age-old pumpkin pie questions: with or without nuts? Homemade or store-bought? Traditional or its newfangled, chiffon-infused counterpart?

We’re guessing all this talk of Thanksgiving recipes is making your mouth water. In this season of giving thanks, we’re giving you some traditional and not-so-traditional recipes for your consideration. (Plenty of time to try them all before the big day.)

Reason #3: Your Home, Your Thanksgiving Decorations

To some, hand-painted gourds overflowing from hand-woven wicker cornucopias are just what the Thanksgiving decorations guru ordered. For others, a turkey piñata may speak to your family’s turkey day style. While beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, we humbly offer a few suggestions to make your traditions special year after year—‘cause you’ll totally want to host again next year. Really.

  • Fresh flowers are nice, but also spendy and temporary. Instead, consider decorations you can use over and over.
  • Homemade decorations are often the most treasured of all. (Think about the Christmas decorations you made as a kid. Special, right?) Get crafty with them.  
  • Set the table as formal or as casual as you like. While a lace tablecloth is elegant, butcher paper that guests can write on is fun (and easy to clean up!). It’s up to you.
  • Make sure your table’s centerpiece has a low profile so the convo can happen across the table.
  • Just say no to paper plates for the main course. They may be cute and save cleanup time, but they’re rarely heavy duty enough to support the weight of traditional turkey, stuffing, potatoes and so on. However, they’re great for pumpkin pie!

Reason #4: Your Home, Your Schedule

Maybe Aunt Helen likes to eat at noon sharp, but you may prefer something closer to the dinner hour. Guess what? Your home, your schedule. Liberating, isn’t it?

One thing your early bird of an aunt may have on you after her years of hosting is timing. Thanksgiving dinner takes planning, advanced preparation and a generous pinch of realistic time estimates for the tasks at hand. The key is to do as much in advance as possible, and the day of, don’t forget to schedule time to shower and set the table.

Related: Thanksgiving Tips: How To Become The Host With The Most

Hosting Thanksgiving: You Got This!

One last piece of pie, er, advice: If someone offers to bring a dish, accept, but delegate wisely. Don’t assign the sweet potatoes to someone else if that’s your signature dish.

Now that we’re in the month of Thanksgiving, and you’re pumped about hosting, it’s time to start inviting guests. Good luck and pretty please share your successes and your ideas for next year using #HostingIsPossible on Facebook and Twitter. We wanna see!

Related Stories

Foreclosure sign

At risk of foreclosure? Mortgage loss mitigation could help

Unexpected medical bills, divorce, job loss — sometimes life throws us a curve ball and the home we could afford becomes unaffordable.... Read More about this blog
Illustration showing improving credit score

A Guide to Raising Your Credit Score

With a high credit score, the world is your oyster! At least when it comes to qualifying for a home loan.... Read More about this blog
a backyard with patio furniture

Don’t Fight Mother Nature, Choose Plants that Thrive in Northern Nevada.

Choose well, plant once.... Read More about this blog