It’s the season of gratitude and there’s so much to be thankful for! Christopher Companies values quality time with family and friends and aside from sending well wishes for the Thanksgiving holiday, we’d like to share some tips for planning the perfect gathering! From home décor, meal prepping and festive cocktails, we’ve got you covered.
Thanksgiving Dinner
To make everything a whole lot easier, the dinner menu can be put together way in advance, maybe even a month or so before Thanksgiving Day. If you are preparing all the food as the host/hostess, then this is absolutely the way to go. Knowing what you are having and being able to buy or place orders in advance will help you so much. If you are having some of your family & friends help you with making the dishes, it is also important to get this started in advance! It will be much easier to know what you’re making and what everyone else is bringing ahead of time.
Décor & Table Settings
Let’s talk decorating, starting right at the front door. There are so many beautiful, fall/Thanksgiving wreaths to make a beautiful entrance. Amazon, Etsy, Michael’s, World Market, Bed Bath & Beyond, and so many more stores have wreaths for good prices.
Now, onto the table! There are so many ways you can go about decorating the table. First, you may want to get a tablecloth or a table runner. This adds color and décor, while also saving your dining room table from spills and messes. Next, we’ll want to think of a centerpiece for the table; whether that is candles, flowers, pumpkins, leaves, greenery, or all of the above. This will make the table festive and fun! On to the place settings and dinnerware. You want to get your linens, cutlery, plates, place mats, etc. ready to go days or weeks beforehand. Something to add to that can be napkin rings, which can add an elegant touch. All of the elements on your table can go with whatever theme/color scheme you want, whether that is fall colors, like oranges and reds, or a white & gold theme, or a modern, clean look with white and black, or even something classic like plaid with pumpkins! You may also want to consider a kids table! Not everyone has these, but if it is needed for your party, it could be fun to decorate as well!
For the rest of your home, you can put candles around, put out some fall pillows, decorate with leaves or greenery-maybe on your fireplace mantle, place pumpkins and/or other décor on your tables and other surfaces, and maybe even hang some lights, like string lights or fairy lights, around your home. These simple additions of decorations can add to a great vibe for this Thanksgiving.
The Best Thanksgiving Desserts and Their Recipes
There are so many desserts you could prepare for Thanksgiving, whether it’s a traditional pie or something completely new. Here are some ideas from The Food Network and links to their recipes:
Crumble Lover’s Sheet-Pan Apple Crumble
Bourbon and Chocolate Pecan Pie
Click here for the recipes!
The Best Wines To Have At Thanksgiving Dinner
We can’t forget about the perfect wine pairing for your Thanksgiving feast! There are so many wines you could try and pair with individual dishes, but instead it may be easier to compliment the entire dinner spread with a few different selections!
The first, classic, easily-paired wine is Riesling. Riesling is a white wine that goes very well with your veggies, but at the same time your dessert! The Food Network calls this wine the MVP of pairing for Thanksgiving!
For a red wine, Pinot Noir is also a classic. The fruity flavors of a pinot noir go well with your savory and salty flavors of Thanksgiving dishes.
Then, to pair with dessert, a tawny port is the way to go. Especially with pumpkin and apple flavors, this wine is a great pairing!
Thanksgiving Cocktails
For those who want something different from wine and enjoy putting together a festive drink, here are some cocktails for you! (recipes & instructions from Town and Country Magazine)