Thanksgiving Etiquette: How to Attend an Unforgettable Thanksgiving Feast | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!
Photo by Nicole Renard
Whether hosting or attending Thanksgiving, one thing is for sure; preparing for the big feast takes planning, attention to detail and hours behind the cooktop. If you are planning on gathering around someone else’s table this year, let me offer some suggestions on attending an unforgettable Thanksgiving feast with grace and style!
Arrive on Time!
1. There is nothing worse than hosting dinner, timing all your courses and guests are late!
2. Do what you need to do to be there on time. It really is the least you can do!
Bring a Hostess Gift!
1. Don’t even think about showing up empty handed! If you ask and they say, “nothing, bring yourself” DON’T!
2. A bottle of wine is a great start, but think about something in addition to that top shelf reserve that will serve as a wonderful memory of a delicious evening shared around the table together with family and friends!
3. Matching fall-centric aprons for the host and self, for example, is one sure way to make a lasting impression, an especially useful one too!
4. If they ask you to bring something to share, think about bringing your homemade creation in something lovely to leave behind. Not only does it serve as a hostess gift, it makes transporting your item that much easier without worrying about collecting it after the evening’s feast!
Ask to help!
1. Especially with all the courses that come with a classic Thanksgiving feast, as soon as you arrive, roll up those sleeves and ask what you can do to help!
2. From filling water glasses, lighting the candles or decanting the wine, another set of helping hands is always greatly appreciated!
Be Flexible:
1. Yes! You may want to roll into your gathering with a flexible waste-band, but what I mean is flexible in terms of execution. Not everyone has a formal dining room or table so come with the intention of eating off your lap and relish in it! What really matters is that you are surrounded by family and friends anyway, right?
Dishes:
1. We all dread those dishes, but they aren’t going to wash themselves!
2. Whatever you do! Do not leave your host stuck with a mess! They may prefer to do it themselves, but at least help by clearing the table, scraping the food off the plates and neatly stacking the dishes for easy cleanup.
3. Ideally, pour yourself another glass of wine, ask to borrow an apron, and continue the conversation around some soapy suds.
4. And while you are at it, offer to take the trash out too!
Write a Thank You Note!
1. This may seem old school, but send your host a thank you note, hand written if possible! Some traditions never die, and this definitely shouldn’t be one of them!
For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes perfect for that leave-behind casserole or pie dish, like my Cornbread Stuffing, Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallow and Pecans, or Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!
P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!
Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!
Sincerely,
Tiffany Lewis
Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!