Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays in the United States. While Christmas is a religious holiday, Thanksgiving is a national holiday that cuts across religious lines. Preparing a traditional Thanksgiving feast is not just about having a great meal. It brings generations together to give thanks for having the wherewithal to put a celebration together.
Step 1
Figure out who you are going to invite to your first Thanksgiving feast. This can be difficult because you may face some hurt feelings. When you are doing this for the first time you may want to invite every member of your family as well as close friends but that's not advisable because it's your first time. Start slow and do it right.
Step 2
Prepare your menu. Word of advice: traditional is best where Thanksgiving is concerned. Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and a green vegetable are a good start. You can ask your guests to each bring a side dish to make everyone feel like they are involved. Ask someone to bring a dessert, ask someone else to bring hors d'oeuvres and someone else to bring a specialty dish. This will get your guests involved and make it a more inclusive experience.
Step 3
Get a few holiday decorations. Thanksgiving is a holiday where you are thankful for what you have. This does not mean you are rich or a show-off. It means you are thankful for the things you do have and the people you have to share it with. Put up some new pictures to show your gratitude.
Step 4
Say a few welcoming remarks as you sit down for holiday dinner. Nothing too involved or stodgy, but just let your guests know how much it means to have them over and what the holiday means to you. This will help everyone be in the holiday mood.
Step 5
Give yourself at least 30 minutes between the end of your meal and the start of dessert. You may want to make dessert very casual. Everyone has been seated around the dining room table for 45 minutes to an hour. Why not serve dessert and coffee in the family room with the television on. It is Thanksgiving and that means you can watch football all day. You've turned the TV off during your meal; put it back on and watch and talk football while you eat apple pie.
Tips and Warnings
- Have a bottle or two of wine available to serve with your meal. It helps to make it festive for the adults. Have grape juice or soda available for the youngsters.
Things You'll Need
- Turkey
- Side dishes
- Table
- Chairs
- Tablecloth
- Silverware
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