Traditional Dinner Party
Thanksgiving is a great time to host a traditional dinner party. Whether you cook frequently or only make homemade meals on special occasions, use the holiday as a reason to go all out in the kitchen. For a successful feast, preparation key. Start by planning out your Thanksgiving menu and gathering any kitchen tools that you'll need. For the turkey, be sure to have a large roaster or a Dutch oven. Make the dressing in the same pan for optimal flavor, and stock up on ceramic and glass cookware for the sides. If you're baking your own pie, find mixing bowls and a rolling pin for a delicious homemade crust. After you've prepared the food, plate it on seasonal serveware. Coordinate the colors of the serving platters and table linens for a seasonal look. For instance, tablecloths and napkins in shades of orange, green and dark red accentuate the colors of the changing foliage. Prefer a modern aesthetic? Set the table with marble servers and gold flatware for a look that is upscale and on-trend. Create a centerpiece with autumn botanicals and eye-catching candles for a timeless look, and drape a garland across the dining table for texture. Take inventory of your dinnerware, too. Find dishwasher-safe stoneware or bone china plates and bowls for a polished presentation that saves cleanup time after the feast.
Football Festivities
Is football the highlight of Thanksgiving for you and your guests? Break tradition by gathering friends and family in the living room for a viewing party instead of a formal dinner. First, think of appetizers and small bites to serve during the game. For instance, buffalo wings, chips and dip, sliders and jalapeno poppers will satisfy everyone's cravings for classic game day snacks. If you still want Thanksgiving flavors, consider making hand-held versions of holiday staples. Dressing muffins combine a few favorite dishes into a single treat. Bake a mixture of turkey and dressing in a cupcake pan, and top the muffins with a dollop of mashed potatoes to evoke the look of a cupcake and the taste of Thanksgiving dinner. Also, prepare miniature sweet potato casseroles using slices of yams topped with sugar, spices and toasted marshmallows. For dessert, serve personal-sized pumpkin pies or mini cranberry tarts. No matter what appetizers you serve, set up the food buffet-style on a sideboard in the living room, and provide plenty of plates and napkins. If you're short on seating in front of the TV, arrange poufs and ottomans for guests to sit on. Remember to clear the coffee table to make room for food and drinks, too. For more room, set out a few trays for guests to keep their plates nearby.
Friendsgiving Cocktail Party
If you want to include your friends into the holiday weekend festivities, celebrate friendsgiving on Black Friday with a Thanksgiving cocktail party. Rather than focusing on the food, make seasonal drinks the highlight of the event. Variety is key, so stock your bar cart with drinkware essentials for several recipes. Update your moscow mule for fall with a few seasonal flavors. Garnish the copper mug with an apple slice and cinnamon stick, or top off the vodka and ginger beer with a splash of cranberry juice. Bring out the coupe glasses or champagne flutes for apple cider mimosas and spiced pear bellini cocktails, or fill a drink dispenser with mulled wine to allow guests to easily refresh their glasses. As a sweeter option, mix pumpkin pie martinis in a cocktail shaker, and serve in an on-trend martini glass. Want something warmer? Bring out mugs of coffee or hot cocoa mixed with cream liqueur. Remember to provide some alcohol-free options as well. Pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider are favorite fall treats for guests who don't drink alcohol.
No matter how you celebrate, take a moment to enjoy everyone's company on Thanksgiving. What are your creative Thanksgiving party ideas? Use the hashtag #CrateStyle to share them with us.
