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10 Steps to a Relaxing
Thanksgiving
by Barbara Hemphill
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
About the author
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.ProductiveEnvironment.com
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