Here’s to You – The Delightful Thanksgiving Host

According to ABC News, Roughly 42.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from their home this holiday, according to AAA. That’s 11.4% more than last year. Does that mean we will have 11.4% more traffic on LIE? I guess that depends on what time your company is scheduled to arrive. The best way you can help is to make a few easy preparations for a safe and scrumptious visit.

Safety First

 Of course you care about the safety of all your guests; but if you are having young children or elderly folks staying at your home, there are a few extra precautions you should take.

• Light the way. Make sure walkways are lit up both outdoors and inside. Stairways and hallways leading to the kitchen or bath should have night lights to help guide sleepless guests.

• Make sure your outdoor walkways are clear. Leaves, especially when wet, can be dangerously slippery. And dare I mention snow? Thursday’s weather forecast for Sag Harbor is precipitation free this year; let’s hope that holds true! I hope wherever you’re reading this, the sun shines for you on Thanksgiving.

• Move sharp objects and dangerous cleaners or medications out of reach of children. Be sure they cannot reach cooking or hot food dishes.

• Understand any special needs senior visitors may have. Take a look at Right at Home’s Thanksgiving Safety Tips blog for making guests with dementia or Alzheimer’s comfortable.

Food for Thought

• The Thanksgiving menu: classic yet caring. Most families have traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinners, but this doesn’t mean you can’t take your guests’ dietary needs into consideration. Simply have a few dishes prepared so that everyone has something to enjoy. First, plan for any known allergies or restrictions any of your guests may have. Other than that, a meat-free salad, and a low-salt vegetable or side dish should do it. There is no need to go overboard. Believe me, nobody’s expecting a Tofurkey or fat-free apple pie.

• Have fun but not over-filling hors d’oeuvres and appetizers. People will expect to have snacks to pick on during the parade and football games, but pace them and don’t overdo it. You want to be sure not to fill everyone up before they sit down to the main event.

• This is not the day to experiment. Keep the menu elegantly simple but delicious with your best tried-and-true recipes. If you want to try something new, give it a test run for the family or before the big day.

The most important piece of advice: Enjoy yourself!

All of us at C’s Home and Office Management wish you and your loved ones a fun-filled, happy, and delicious Thanksgiving!