Thanksgiving Dinner Mistakes To Avoid

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you’re hosting this year, you’re probably feeling the stress that comes with being in charge. But while you may have over cooked the turkey or forgot to serve the cranberry sauce last year (a Thanksgiving essential), this year you can create a memorable day by avoiding these mistakes:

1. Diving in without a plan: Organization and being prepared is key in order to have a successful turkey day. Therefore, you should spend some time a few days before going over things like the number of guests expected and the amount of/types of food you need to cook. By knowing things like this ahead of time, you can avoid a major disaster such as not having enough and ultimately minimize your chances of experiencing that anxious feeling that comes with not being prepared.

2. Avoiding help: You may be a DIY master, but you don’t have to be when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner. As a day that is spent surrounded by family and friends, there’s always an extra set of hands available to help you with those tasks that you just can’t seem to get to, so don’t be afraid to ask for help – something as simple as setting the table can make your hosting experience ten times easier. Not to mention, recruiting those around you will help you actually enjoy the day rather than spend it consumed by stress.

3. Going heavy on the appetizers: It’s only natural to put out appetizers before your main meal, but having too many could cause all of your hard work on the turkey to go to waste. To ensure that everyone still has room in their stomachs by the time dinner arrives, go sparingly when it comes to chips, mozzarella sticks and any other appetizer you usually serve up. 

4. Digging in right away: If carving the turkey is your favorite part, you probably can’t wait to get to it as soon as it comes out of the oven. However, this could dry things out and make your dinner less tasteful than you’d like. With that said, always let the turkey sit for at least 20 minutes before you even think about touching it.

5. Striving for perfection: While it’s normal for any host to want to provide a perfect Thanksgiving experience, try not to put too much pressure on yourself. So what if the turkey is slightly burnt or if all of the food isn’t ready at the same time? Your friends and family are probably more concerned with simply spending the day together, so don’t feel like you need to be a world class chef.

If you’re the holiday host this year, what are you doing to get ready? Do you have any other tips on how to make the day an exceptional one? If you can think of something we haven’t listed, share it with us on our Facebook page!

Chip’s Family Restaurant is a restaurant in Southbury, Fairfield, Orange, Trumbull and Wethersfield, and has been serving the local people of Connecticut since 1966. With five locations currently open, there is an opportunity for everyone to experience the menu items that has everyone in the area talking! To learn where you can find a Chip’s near you, please visit the locations tab above.