Thanksgiving Celebrations

Chances are you will either be the host for Thanksgiving or a guest at someone’s home. If you want to be the perfect holiday host or guest just follow these tips on etiquette and entertaining, and your dinner companions are sure to be thankful. Here are some Thanksgiving tips for hosts and guests that will make the holidays a little easier for everyone-

· If you are the host-

1. Prepare now for leftovers-Do you ever find that you'd like to send your guests home with leftovers, but have nothing to send them in? Before you end up losing several nice bowls by sending them off with leftovers, here’s a different solution. Whenever you have a takeout meal that comes in disposable plastic containers (such as soup from a Chinese restaurant), save a few of those containers. Although they are not designed for longtime storage or multiple uses, they are perfect for sending away with people. By planning ahead, you can avoid spending extra money on those disposable plastic containers now sold in the supermarket, or losing any other bowls.

2. When you’ve run out of time! If you are like the typical hostess, you may have a tendency to plan to do much more for your party than time allows. You may have set an ambitious agenda for yourself from baking, to cooking, to decorating, to making personalized party favors. But stuff happens and things are not always completed on schedule. You may find yourself dead on your feet, late at night, the day before your party, wondering how you can possibly finish everything and still manage to catch a few hours of sleep. That's the moment you need to decide that time is up. Go get yourself a good night's sleep so that you can actually enjoy your party (that was the point of hosting one, right?) When you wake up rested and refreshed then you can ponder your options. Your guests will be sure to thank you!

3. How to have guests help you in the kitchen-You may often feel that guests in the kitchen are more confusing than helpful, but here's a way to change your outlook. A few days before your party, make a list of all the serving pieces you will need to use. Dig them out of your cabinets, basement, and attic or wherever else you may have stored them. After cleaning off the dusty ones, write the name of each menu item on a piece of self-stick paper, and place it on the appropriate dish. That way, when your helpers ask for a serving dish, you can simply point them to the pre-selected pieces. Better yet whenever anyone offers to help or bring a dish, say, "Yes, thank you!"

· If you are a guest-

1. Timing is everything! Be sure that you arrive no earlier than the time the host has announced and no later than half an hour after the time. Your host shouldn’t have to worry about entertaining you early or be left wondering if you are going to show. You should also plan to stay about an hour after dinner unless travel plans or sleepy children necessitate leaving earlier. A considerate guest will sense when the party’s over leaving the hosts with still time to clean up or collapse.

2. Be the most polite guest. Bring a gift and write a note of thanks afterward. Hostess gifts do not need to be elaborate. A box of chocolates, small soaps or candles, or even pastries for the next morning’s breakfast will all be appreciated. Just keep in mind that if you bring a food item your hostess should not be expected to serve it with dinner. Also if your hostess has not asked you to bring something for the Thanksgiving dinner do not take it upon yourself to do so. As a big thank-you offer to help set up for dinner and to clean afterward. And always write a thank you note.

3. Keep your host informed-Notify the host of any special dietary needs like if you are a vegetarian, diabetic or allergic to common foods. You can tell the host how to prepare a dish you can eat, or even better, offer to bring that dish yourself. If you are going to a potluck Thanksgiving, be sure to bring a serving dish with your contribution. Keep in mind that the best potluck dishes are those that need minimal preparation in the host's kitchen, can be served at room temperature and require only a fork to eat.