Hosting the holidays can feel like a full-time job, but thank goodness for Erica Wildberger. She knows the secret to a successful gathering isn’t doing it all yourself—it’s knowing where your time is best spent.
1. Plan a Menu That Works for You
Build a menu with dishes that can be prepared ahead. Shrimp cocktail, dips, charcuterie, mashed potatoes, stuffing and vegetable casseroles can all be made in advance and reheated, keeping you out of the kitchen when guests arrive.
2. Prep Now, Relax Later
Erica’s biggest tip? Make lists. Create a prep list for the days leading up to the gathering, then a day-of timeline working backward from when you plan to eat.
Pull out your china and platters. You can even set your table days in advance to mitigate stress.
3. Know How Much Is Enough
For quantities, plan on about one pound of turkey per person, including the bones, and roughly one-third to one-half pound of each vegetable side per guest. For 10 guests, that’s about a 10-pound turkey, five pounds of potatoes and four pounds of carrots—with leftovers encouraged.
4. Give Yourself Some Breathing Room
Erica also recommends finishing proteins about an hour before serving. The extra time allows meat to rest and be carved while freeing the oven for reheating sides.
5. Let Someone Else Handle It
And if you’d rather spend that hour with your guests than in the kitchen, outsourcing is always an option. Set the Table’s Thanksgiving dishes can be ordered ahead and delivered with reheating instructions.
After all, the best holiday meal isn’t the one that required the most work. It’s the one that leaves everyone—including the host—with something to savor.
Erica’s approach extends far beyond the holiday table. From beautifully catered gatherings to convenient meal delivery, Set the Table helps clients spend less time planning, shopping and cooking—and more time enjoying family, pursuing hobbies or simply savoring the moment. SetTheTableLLC.com
Don’t feel pressure to do it all!