Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Family,
friends, good food - and no presents to buy. To make
it your best holiday ever, consider these organizing
tips:
· Choose your preferred style: formal with
everyone dressed up and using their best manners -
or a more informal relaxed style. If you've invited more
people than your dining table will seat, decide whether
to add extra tables or a set up a buffet and use
couches and occasional chairs for seating. Arrange
for extra chairs if necessary.
· Keep in mind the ages of the people involved -
and choose a time for the meal that will fit their
needs - young children may get too tired if you wait to
sit down at 1:00 pm. Consider seating for children
based on ages. Teenagers might enjoy the day more
seated together.
· Ask guests to identify their favorite dish - include
as many of them as possible. (If someone wants a
pecan pie, and you don't like to bake them, check out
your local restaurant or bakery.) Don't assume you
have to do everything - why not invite guests to bring a
favorite dish? (Or ask them to bring a table
centerpiece or bottle of wine.)
· Plan your menu well in advance, make a
shopping list, and purchase non-perishables at the
same time you do your regular shopping. If you're
planning to use a fresh turkey, place your order
early.
· Get out the table linens before Thanksgiving
morning - make sure you have the sizes you need,
and check to see if they need to be laundered, or
ironed.
· Select table decorations. If you have children,
involve them in the planning and execution of the
celebration. (My children loved to make turkey
cookies!) Consider disposable Thanksgiving
napkins.
· To save clean-up time, or if the family china is
insufficient to accommodate the guest list, attractive
holiday disposable tableware is a viable option. Be
sure you have enough serving dishes and utensils for
the quantities you will be serving.
· If you're having a sit-down dinner, consider
setting your table the day before to minimize last-
minute stress. Make a checklist of things to be done
on Thanksgiving day in order or priority.
· Determine your clean-up strategy prior to dinner.
Do you want everyone to chip in and help - or would
you prefer to spend the time with the family - and
clean it up when they're gone?
· When the day is over, make notes about anything
you wish you had done differently - file your notes
away for next year, and give Thanksgiving for another
special day.
© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's
Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the
Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose
It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of
Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals
and organizations create and sustain a productive
environment so they can accomplish their work and
enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space,
information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-
0237 or at www.Pr
oductiveEnvironment.com
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