15 Ways to Prep for Thanksgiving

By Kansas City Steak Company Tags : holiday,  thanksgiving,  tips 

Right after you hit send on the text, you wondered if you shouldn’t have sent it…

The one where you invited your entire family over for Thanksgiving.

Hosting Thanksgiving is a big deal. A stressful responsibility.

As much as you’re excited about hosting for the holiday, it comes with a massive amount of anxiety. And maybe earlier than normal wine consumption.

But what has been said can’t be unsaid. What’s been offered can’t be undone.

So let us help you make the most of your generous offer to host your family this Thanksgiving with these 15 tips to prep for Turkey Day:

1. Get Out the Games – avoid the awkward silence with your Aunty Betty or the political arguing with your dad by having a few board games strategically placed around the house. Even a deck of cards serves as a nice distraction before and after the main course.
2. Potluck Is Your Best Luck – there’s nothing worse than hosting and feeling the pressure to feed the entire family. Ask everyone to bring their favorite Thanksgiving side dish or dessert. Or better yet, have everyone chip in and have Thanksgiving Dinner delivered to your doorstep.
3. Check Your List Twice – procrastination and spontaneity work beautifully at times, but for this occasion, a little preparation will go a long way. Like a dash of salt and pepper on a perfect steak. Write out the full menu, make a check list of what you need from the store, and get it out of your brain onto physical paper or a digital device of some sort.
4. Don’t Overlook Beverages – Whether it’s white wine, red wine, mulled cider or your uncle’s favorite cheap beer, the adult beverage factor is not to be ignored. How else will you survive 6+ hours of conversation with extended family?
5. Finish with Football – once faces have been stuffed, roll everyone into the basement or living room and be sure the pigskin viewing is in HD. You’re sure to catch your cousin doing the mouth-open sleep-drooling thing by the middle of the 2^nd
6. Set the Table – it doesn’t matter if you use paper plates or grandma’s finest china, there’s something magical and timeless about setting the table in advance of the big meal. Family isn’t perfect, but they’re yours. Take the time to show them you care. Remember, forks on the left.
7. The Bird Isn’t the Only Word – a turkey on Thanksgiving is as American as apple pie. So serve one. But don’t limit your options. Pork roast or beef tenderloin will knock your family’s socks off. And likely cement your place in family tree folk lore.
8. Kill ‘em with Kindness – no one will change their opinions on the President, their favorite football team or any other hot button issue over pumpkin pie. So instead of picking a fight, kill your family with kindness this Thanksgiving. They may think someone spiked your apple cider, but it’s better than a food fight.
9. Blankets and Pillows – if the football game doesn’t do the trick, be sure there are plenty of blankets and pillows laying around. Thanksgiving afternoon has to be the highest per capita day of napping adults.
10. Did We Mention Adult Beverages? – just sayin’, have some on hand….
11. Make Every Table the Kids Table – when we were kids, the kids’ table got a bad rap – like it was for those who got kicked off the island. But now, there’s something us adults miss about the holidays that only kids seem to experience. So make every table the kids table and sprinkle the kids throughout, they’re sure to loosen us adults up a bit.
12. Start a New Tradition – whether it’s your first time hosting or your house is the spot every year, don’t be afraid to branch out and start a new tradition. Here’s a list of 10 to get your creative juices flowing…
13. Find Sweatpants ASAP – no judging allowed on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone is more comfortable in sweatpants, so change into them as soon as the final bite of pie goes down. Just please don’t wear them to the movie later that night. That’s embarrassing.
14. Say Thanks – in all seriousness, we all have many things to be thankful for this year. We each look, sound, and cook differently, and our experiences are unique to us, but we can all find something to say thanks for as we break bread and toast to the goodness that surrounds us all.
15. Prepare In Advance – Make out a menu and a grocery list. Then stick to it. Pre-cook any food you can a day or two before the big day. If you do all these things, you will have a stress free day and will be able to enjoy your family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Kansas City Steak Company to all of you – our loyal, steak-loving family.

We’re thankful for the many ways you allow us into your home and onto your table.