Thanksgiving can be a stressful holiday. If you are the host it can mean planning and orchestrating the day from end-to-end. For the guest it can be hard to remember the right way to be a proper guest, especially when you are surrounded by family or friends who all come with their own little quirks. Don’t fret, we have tips and suggestions that will help you have a great Thanksgiving whether you are hosting or attending.


FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOST

So you decided to have everyone at your home this year. It’s a big undertaking, but we’re here to help! Whether it’s your first time hosting, or your fifteenth, hosting one of the biggest family holidays of the year can induce panic in the best of us. The first thing you need to do is breathe. Next, check out 10 Tips For Hosting A Stress Free Thanksgiving, we promise these tips will help. After you figure out the framework for your day you can check out our Thanksgiving Inspiration Board that is full of ideas for what to cook, activities for the kids, decorations, and more!

FOR THE THANKSGIVING GUEST

Let's state the obvious: Hosting Thanksgiving is tough. And when the day comes for you to show up at a neighbor's, friend's or distant cousin's Thanksgiving Day party, it's a good time to re-evaluate what it means to be a guest in someone's home. Here are 10 tips on how to be a guest that will get invited back:

  1. Notify your host well in advance of any dietary issues

  2. Ask your hose if you can bring anything

  3. If it’s a Thanksgiving potluck, or you are bringing something, bring your own serving bowl and utensils

  4. Bring your host a small gift (check out our Thanksgiving Inspiration Board for ideas)

  5. Don’t arrive early, but don’t show up more than 30-45 minutes late

  6. Ask the host if they need help, and if they decline stay out of the kitchen

  7. Be attentive and avoid your phone

  8. Don’t complain

  9. Help with the clean-up

  10. Remember to say “Thank You”

We hope these tips and ideas help you to have a very happy and stress-free Thanksgiving. From all of us at The Jennifer De La Rosa Group, thank you!