Mom Hacks for Thanksgiving Dinner 2022
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Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. It can be tough to enjoy the holiday between cooking the turkey (What wine goes well with turkey?), baking pies, and wrangling kids. But that doesn't mean the holiday has to be any less special. With some planning and forethought, moms can still create a wonderful Thanksgiving feast that the whole family will enjoy. So if you're looking to take some of the stress out of Thanksgiving this year, here are a few mom hacks that can help.
Get Organized
One of the most important parts of successfully hosting Thanksgiving is getting organized. A lot goes into the holiday, from cooking to decorating to entertaining guests.
To help you keep track of everything, begin by taking inventory of what needs to be done. Make a list of all the tasks that need to be completed, and then divide them into categories like cooking, baking, decorating, etc. This will help you to see exactly what needs to be done and plan accordingly.
Do you want to plan a menu based on what's in season in Texas? Visit a farmers market today or check out our TexasRealFood Promptuary here.
Create a Thanksgiving Timeline
As any seasoned mom knows, planning is key to a successful Thanksgiving. One way to help make planning Thanksgiving less of a headache is to create a timeline of everything that needs to be done. This can include making a list of all the food that needs to be prepared and any other tasks that need to be completed, such as decorating the house or sending out invitations.
Start with the tasks that need to be done furthest in advance and work your way towards Thanksgiving Day. Once you have a list of everything that needs to be done, you can start assigning deadlines for each task. This will help ensure that everything is taken care of in time and that you're not rushing around at the last minute.
When everything is done in a timely manner, you can make sure that nothing is forgotten. Creating a Thanksgiving timeline may seem like a lot of work, but it can save you time and stress in the long run.
Set Your Budget and Stick With It
One of the best ways to avoid stress during the holidays is to set a budget early and stick to it. That means looking closely at your finances and deciding how much you can afford to spend on food, travel, and gifts.
Once you have a number in mind, list all the people you'll need to buy presents for and start looking for affordable gift ideas. Consider scaling back on your guest list this year.
A smaller gathering will be easier (and cheaper) to manage, especially if you're short on time or funds. But, whatever you do, try to avoid letting holiday preparations overwhelm you. By planning and being mindful of your spending, you can avoid falling into the trap of debt and instead enjoy a stress-free season with your loved ones.
Check out some meal-planning apps if you want help in the food department. They can make your life a little easier and give you back some time to focus on things that matter more than dinner (What wine goes well with dinner?). These free meal-planning apps will help you organize and make Thanksgiving dinner planning less hectic.
Shop Before The Rush
One of the best ways to avoid the Thanksgiving rush is to shop before the holiday. This means you can take advantage of sales and stock up on items you know you will need. So make a list of all the ingredients you need for your Thanksgiving feast, and start shopping a few weeks in advance.
This will ensure you have everything you need without making multiple trips to the store. In addition, it will help you avoid the crowds and the stress that comes with last-minute shopping.
One way to save money and simplify your holiday shopping is to collect grocery points throughout the year and use them for holiday staples. You may even score a free turkey.
Most grocery stores offer loyalty programs that allow customers to earn points with every purchase. These points can then be redeemed for discounts or free items.
Collecting points throughout the year can easily earn enough to cover the cost of Thanksgiving dinner. And with fewer items on your shopping list, you'll have more time to enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends.
Secure the Turkey
Great holiday hosts know planning is key to a successful Thanksgiving feast. Securing your turkey game means getting a sustainable, pasture-raised, antibiotic-free turkey from one of the best farms in Texas.
Find a local purveyor who can provide such a bird. Buying a frozen turkey from the grocery store is easy, but there are better ways to go. For example, a local farm will have free-range turkeys, which means they spend their lives outdoors on grassy fields rather than being confined to small spaces indoors. They're also likely to be hormone- and antibiotic-free.
When it comes to flavor, nothing beats pasture-raised turkeys—their diet results in more flavorful and juicy meat. So do your Thanksgiving research and ensure your turkey comes from a good source!
To ensure you stay on top of this year's Thanksgiving turkey game, TexasRealFood brings you some of the best farms to procure a sustainable, pasture-raised, antibiotic-free turkey for gracing your dining table!
Avoid Plumbing Problems on Thanksgiving Day
The Thanksgiving holiday can be a hectic time. With all the cooking and cleaning, it's easy to forget some more mundane tasks, like plumbing maintenance. However, taking a few minutes to check your pipes and drains before the big day can save you many headaches later.
Make sure that all your drains are clear and free of any clogs. Take a look under your sinks and check for any leaks. And if you have an old-fashioned garbage disposal, give it a good scrubbing to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Taking a little time for preventive maintenance can help prevent some major plumbing problems on Thanksgiving Day.
Paper Up the Place
As most parents know, keeping young children entertained at a family gathering can be challenging. However, with some preparation, it is possible to create a fun and inviting space for the kids.
One way to do this is to paper the place. Using easel paper (aka butcher paper), lay out a large sheet on the floor or table and provide crayons for the kids to draw. This will not only occupy them for a while but also give them a sense of ownership over their space. And if spills happen (which is inevitable with kids), no worries - just lay down a vinyl tablecloth under the paper to catch any mess. The kids will be happy with this mom hack - and so will you.
Encourage Guests to Bring Their Empty Food Containers
Hosting a party can be a lot of work, and one of the most challenging aspects is dealing with all the food waste. Between dealing with dirty dishes and disposing of leftovers, it's easy for hosting to become more hassle than it's worth. However, a simple solution can help reduce the amount of food waste produced at your next event: encourage guests to bring their empty food containers.
This way, they can take home unfinished food, and you won't have to worry about disposing of it yourself. Not only will this save you time and effort, but it will also help to reduce your environmental impact. So next time you host a party, encourage guests to bring their containers and do your part to reduce food waste.
Take Any Help Offered
Thanksgiving is a beautiful time to spend with family and friends, but it can also be a lot of work. If you're in charge of hosting the holiday feast, it's essential to take any help offered.
Cooking a massive meal is a multi-person job. Whether it's your mom offering to make her famous stuffing or your best friend volunteering to bring dessert, accept the help graciously.
Not only will it lighten your load, but it will also allow you to spend more time enjoying the holiday with your loved ones. So if you're feeling overwhelmed this Thanksgiving, remember to take advantage of all the helping hands around you. It'll make the day that much more enjoyable for everyone involved.
If you're handling dessert duties this year, here's a list of places to order some scrumptious thanksgiving pies in Texas and become the new family favorite!
Let the Event Unfold Organically
One of the best things about Thanksgiving is that it's a day when the whole family can get together and enjoy each other's company. However, if you're responsible for hosting the holiday, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all the preparations. A great way to avoid stress on Thanksgiving day is to let the event unfold organically.
Instead of worrying about creating a perfectly orchestrated meal, focus on enjoying time with your loved ones. Prepare simple dishes everyone can help with, and don't be afraid to put out a few store-bought items. But, most importantly, everyone has a good time, so relax and let the day flow naturally.
Summary
With these Thanksgiving Mom Hacks, we hope you have more time to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. These tips and tricks will save you time and stress so you can make the most of the holidays with your little ones and the entire family.
Instead of fighting big crowds at grocery stores, you can visit Texas farmers' markets and celebrate the year's bounty with farmers, ranchers, and artisans!
