How To Be The Best Thanksgiving Dinner Host

So, you’ve officially agreed to have all of your friends and family members gather at your house to celebrate Thanksgiving – now what? Even when it’s people you’re super close with that are coming over, we know how important it is for the host to impress guests, and we want to help YOU this year if you’ve taken on that responsibility. Below, take a look at some of our favorite tips for how to be the best Thanksgiving dinner host:

Tip #1: Stick with what you know.

Some hosts like to get fancy and whip up exotic meals because they think it’ll totally wow their guests, but truth is, this can backfire pretty easily. To ensure that nothing goes wrong with any part of your meal (no one wants hangry guests), you’re much better off sticking to recipes that you’ve already tried and tested.

Tip #2: Consider dietary restrictions.

When planning what you’re going to cook, make sure you keep your guests’ dietary restrictions (if any) in mind. It would be pretty disappointing for both you and your guests if all of your hard work couldn’t be enjoyed, so if anyone has a specific diet to follow, make sure you have something prepared that is safe for them to eat.

Tip #3: Have music ready.

Nothing makes a party like some soft music playing in the background, especially if there are any moments of silence when guests aren’t talking. A playlist with some light appropriate music would be best, but if you know that several guests have the same favorite artist, make sure to add some of their songs too!

Tip #4: Think about presentation.

You might be surprised, but sometimes people are more impressed by the presentation of food rather than the food itself! So, when you’re planning for how your food will be served, really spend a few minutes to think about what serving dishes you’ll use and how you’ll lay things out.

Most importantly, try not to stress! It can be pretty simple to get overwhelmed from all of the responsibilities you have as the host, but your mood can rub off on guests, so try to stay positive no matter what! And if you need help, don’t be ashamed to ask for it!

Chip’s Family Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to customers in Fairfield, Orange, Southbury, Trumbull and Wethersfield, Connecticut. Breakfast is served all day, and customers can even place an order online for pickup. For more information about locations and menu items, please click on the tabs above.