3 Keys To A Stress-Free Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost here! The holiday season is an important time of celebration, family and friends, and, of course, great food. It can also be a time of immense stress: out of town guests, elaborate menu plans, and normal family drama can be enough to set anybody on edge. Utilize these tips to get a handle on Thanksgiving and make the holidays as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

1. Plan Ahead

Do everything that you can ahead of time so that by the time your guests arrive, you are able to relax and enjoy their company.

• Figure out how many guests you are expecting. This will help dictate the menu, table settings, and so on. Any out of town guests? Make sure to establish airport pick-up times as well as sleeping arrangements.
• Get the house in order. Take care of any cosmetic fixes and do a deep clean. This will make it easier to quickly tidy up before guests arrive in the Thanksgiving and Winter holiday rush.
• Devise a menu. Take everybody’s dietary restrictions into consideration, coordinate who is bringing what, gather recipes, and create a shopping list.
• Make a timeline. Determine what you can cook a day or more ahead of time. Plan how to strategically use the oven on Thanksgiving to cook the rest of the meal.
• Don’t forget to roll with the punches. There will be situations you simply can’t account for ahead of time. Maybe you burn the potatoes or find out last minute that your niece is bringing a plus one. Do your best to adapt and make the best of whatever the day throws at you.

2. Take Care of Yourself

It’s easy to overextend yourself or get caught up taking care of everyone else. But it is so important that you take the time to care for yourself during periods of extended stress and demands. Eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. Fall back on your regular routine if things start getting out of hand. Sometimes a twenty minute walk around the neighborhood or a full night’s sleep is all you need to feel rejuvenated and ready to go.

3. Ask for Help!

If you find yourself losing sight of what Thanksgiving is all about, it’s time to ask for help. Know your limits and when enough is enough. Ask family members to pitch in, buy the pecan pie instead of baking it, or even call Potomac Concierge to help facilitate the day. We can do your grocery shopping, coordinate a caterer, or help with cleaning and loose ends around the house. It’s more important that you are present with your family, giving thanks and creating lasting memories, than slaving away to ensure the turkey or centerpieces are just right.