Can you believe Thanksgiving is less than a month away? We can’t either. This holiday brings together family, friends, and food! What’s not to love? If you’ve ever hosted Thanksgiving you know there is a lot of prep work that goes into celebrating this delicious holiday. If Thanksgiving will be hosted at your apartment this year, we have some tips for you!

Create a guest list

One of the most important things about hosting Thanksgiving is having a final head count of who is coming. This way, you can coordinate the right amount of food and not worry about not having enough! An easy way to get a final guest list together is to request everyone R.S.V.P.

Get organized

There’s usually A LOT of food so you will want to prep your apartment to accommodate that and your guests. Take the time to declutter and rearrange furniture to create a more open space in the dining and kitchen areas where most of your guests will be. Make sure you have plenty of seating for all of your guests. It is also important to check if you have the right amount of plates, flatware, and glassware. If not, you can buy a few extra and mix and match! Pick an area that you will designate for coats and bags as well that is out of the main area.

Enlist help from your guests

Just because you are hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t mean you have to be the only contributing chef! Ask your guests to bring specific dishes such as appetizers, sides or dessert. This will release the pressure off of you to prepare ALL of the food prior to and on the day itself.

Keep things simple

When preparing your Thanksgiving menu, think about what needs to be cooked, the timing, and your space. You can only fit so many items in your oven! Select items that can be prepared ahead of time and served at room temperature.

Enjoy yourself!

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the stress of hosting a holiday. Don’t forget to enjoy spending time with your family and friends! Everything won’t be perfect, and that’s ok! The important thing is to be thankful for your loved ones and savor your time with them.