The 5 Most-Common Thanksgiving Mistakes
And the surprising ways you can avoid them.
From cooking to clean-up, no Thanksgiving dinner is mishap-free, but you can plan ahead to side-step disasters before they happen. Read on for our favorite solutions to the holiday's most common mistakes.
Mistake #1: You Serve Drinks in the Kitchen
We know one thing that makes all-day cooking easier: less foot traffic by the fridge. Set up an easy-access drinks station in another part of the house with a basic bar cart, refreshments, an ice bucket , and glasses for guests.
Mistake #2: The Centerpiece is Too Tall
Large floral arrangements and candle displays keep guests from talking and enjoying the meal. Bring the decor below eye-level with a textured table runner, patterned napkins, and a grouping of shorter candle holders .
Mistake #3: You Serve Food on the Dining Table
Passing heavy platters and sides can lead to spills. Instead, set up a buffet with trivets and serving dishes on a nearby sideboard to create more space and offer easy access to second helpings.
Mistake #4: Your Guests Have Too Many Plates
To make more room at dinner, keep place settings simple. Set the table with one large plate for each guest, and save the extra salad and bread plates for dessert.
Mistake #5: No One Planned for Clean-up
Stock up on food-storage containers to put leftovers in their place fast. If you send guests home with extra turkey and pie, keep disposable containers on hand.
