A Delicious and Memorable Thanksgiving

Seating can be tricky when it comes to cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for a large group.  With anywhere from 20-35 people in my home each Thanksgiving, I have to get creative when it comes to making sure there’s a comfortable place for each person to sit and eat.  So, to make sure you’re not running around at the last minute finding chairs for everyone, today’s tip in Toni’s 12 Days of Thanksgiving is to set out tables and chairs and decorate each table.

In addition to our dining room table which seats 14, I roll out folding tables and chairs to go alongside my dining room table to make three long tables.  With the addition of our “kids table“, this creates plenty of seating for everyone to be in the same place and enjoy each others company while celebrating the holiday.

And here’s the important part.  There’s no reason to skimp on the Thanksgiving decorations when it’s so easy to throw a Fall tablecloth over each table along with any arrangement of Fall candles, cornucopias and leaves.  Over the years I’ve gathered a hodgepodge of Thanksgiving decorations that are thrown into a big storage box at the end of the holiday.  By picking through the box each Thanksgiving I manage to come up with a scheme that looks like I spent a lot of time coordinating.

I always frame my menu.  Why?  I’m still not sure other than the fact that I think it’s beautiful and I love showing off my recipes to all of my guests.  I don’t run out and purchase a new frame for the occasion; I usually have an extra one lying around somewhere.  So why not bring that extra touch of “special” to dinner, especially when the cost is next to nothing.

For the lineup of Thanksgiving Dinner preparation in Toni’s 12 Days of Thanksgiving, you can print the entire list here.

To download printable plan:

I hope each of you have a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving this year!

Sincerely,

Toni Spilsbury, The Organized Cook