My favorite childhood memories revolve around our big family holidays. Grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles all under the same festive roof. As a child, there's only the magic of it all! Everything perfectly planned and executed to create another successful holiday gathering.

Now that I'm an adult, I understand that us kids were enjoying the festivities, blissfully unaware of the behind-the-scenes chaos that certainly existed for the adults in charge of pulling off another holiday masterpiece.

Here are some tips that help create the facade (lol) of a perfectly executed holiday gathering…

Tip #1: Clear Out the Fridge & Freezer

Even if guests are sharing in the cooking, the amount of storage needed several days before the official event is staggering. Spend the month leading up to the holiday using things in the freezer that are taking up prime real estate.

Old condiments and containers can be thrown out to gain additional space. Give the entire fridge and freezer a good cleaning, which not only leaves things fresh but it forces us to organize the items that will be staying, thus creating even more space.

Tip #2: Gather Your Linens & Specialty Cookware

Just about everyone I know has a deviled egg plate. Likewise, just about everyone I know couldn't tell you where it is currently located if their life depended on it.

Spend some time leading up to the holiday gathering the linens you'd like to use, and specialty pans and serving dishes that you'll be needing. This allows time (that's not last minute) to wash, iron, and prep all of these items.

Tip #3: Set the Table the Day Before

If possible, I always love to set the table the day before the event. It becomes part of the overall decorations, and it's always so festive and inviting for the guests to enjoy.

Place cards can also be a fun way to add a decorative detail to your table while at the same time managing optimal seating scenarios.

For dining room inspiration, take a look at our most recent project reveal.

kelly-tivey-interiors-danville-ca-how-to-host-a-calm-and-organized-thanksgiving-elevated-single-room-design

Tip #4: Create a Self-Serve Snack & Drink Station

I personally love this tip, as yelling "get out of my kitchen" all day doesn't convey the zen and festive vibe that you think it would :) Get creative about location, and it doesn't have to be a large area. Here in California, we can usually take advantage of an outdoor location, but anywhere that's not right near the hub of activity is perfect.

With just a little bit of planning ahead, we can eliminate a great deal of stress on the big day. I wish you all a wonderful, stress-free Thanksgiving surrounded by your friends and families.

Key Takeaways for a Calm & Organized Thanksgiving

Prepare your home for Thanksgiving guests by cleaning out the fridge and freezer ahead of time to make space for all your holiday dishes.
Gather table linens, serveware, and cookware early to avoid last-minute stress and ensure everything is ready for your Thanksgiving celebration.
Set your Thanksgiving table in advance to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for friends and family.
Keep your kitchen calm by setting up a self-serve snack and drink station in another area of your home to give guests space to mingle.
With a little planning and organization, you can enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving surrounded by the people you love most.

Looking for an organized home that makes life easier all year long? Let's book a time to chat. I'm here for you!

Until next time,
Kelly

Meet the Author

Kelly believes great design comes from thoughtful planning and collaboration. An NCIDQ-certified and ASID member with degrees in Interior Design and Organizational Behavior, she blends creativity with strong relationships to deliver designs that are both functional and beautifully personal.

How to Host a Calm & Organized Thanksgiving