By Tyler R. Morrissey
You may have a bucket or bag of Halloween candy in your home, but don’t look now. Next week the holidays will officially begin with Thanksgiving on November 23rd and the start of the Christmas season and holiday shopping season on November 24th. While this time of year is filled with joyous occasions such as parties and family gatherings, it can also be a stressful time. However, by planning ahead this weekend you can take the stress out of prepping your home and schedule so you can enjoy this special season, starting with Turkey Day.
Make Travel Arrangements Now
Are you venturing out of the Northeast for Thanksgiving this year? Or maybe some of your guests are planning a trip to the region. Whatever the case may be, it’s a good idea to start mapping out the route you will take on or before the holiday if you haven’t already. With the cost of fuel still relatively low, more Americans may also hit the roadways this year to visit family and friends. Avoid traffic jams and delays by planning out the best time to leave so your commute on Turkey Day doesn’t take a foul turn for the worse.
Hit the Grocery Store Early, but not Often
While many wait until the last minute to complete their holiday shopping list, this strategy is not one you want to implement when it comes to shopping for your holiday feast. The Kitchn has a few pointers on how to shop for all the ingredients you need to whip up a delicious meal. If the weather forecast calls for rain, as it does in the region on Saturday, hop in the car and visit the market. Some grocery stores see a slight decline in customers on gloomy days, making it easier to get down the bread crumb isle for your stuffing recipe. It’s also a good idea to buy extra ingredients when you’re at the store. Don’t assume you have a dozen eggs at home or a few sticks of butter. Buy extra pantry staples so you don’t need to run out on your dinner guests.
Prep Your Home
Before you sit down to enjoy a delicious dinner there are a few things you’ll want to prepare in advance of Thanksgiving. If cleaning your own home is not your forte, Houzz recommends hiring an outside company to deep clean your house before the big day. You’ll also want to be sure that your kitchen is in top notch shape to prepare all the delicious food that accompanies the holiday. Consider making a list of the dishes you’ll be cooking and think about which serving plates or platter you’ll need and make sure they’re cleaned ahead of time. Also it’s a good idea to go through your refrigerator to free up space for all the leftovers you may have afterward.
Don’t Forget Decorations
It’s important to focus on what’s being served on your table of thanks, but food might not be the only thing on the table. It’s also a good idea to plan out what your table décor or centerpiece will be. Interior design blog Homedit makes a few suggestions including a step-by-step method of putting together a Thanksgiving centerpiece with white pumpkins. You can also go for a rustic look by using burlap place mats or a woven basket. If you can’t find these items around the house or don’t have time to shop for them, consider going outdoors and find a few of Mother Nature’s natural decorations; pinecones are at the top of this list. Make sure you wash them gently in hot water if you’re going to use them on your dining table.
What’s Cooking?
You’ve made your travel plans, gone grocery shopping and prepared your home. Now it’s time to focus on what’s going to be served on your holiday table. The Kitchn points out that while you can’t cook your turkey ahead of time; you can brine the star of your meal between one and three days prior. Also you might want to rethink some of your famous side dishes by getting the key components of the recipes ready before Turkey Day. Almonds or breadcrumbs can be toasted in advance and frozen. If your side dish roster includes a classic green bean casserole, that can even be assembled without the crisp onion topping and stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to three days.
By following these tips you can ensure this year’s Thanksgiving is a success. From all of us at William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty, we wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving.
