How do you pull off a great Thanksgiving gathering? Get tips from a professional.

Sarah Dolezal, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
Thanksgiving table with roasted turkey, sliced ham and side dishes. Prepping for Thanksgiving ahead of time can save a host a lot of frustration.
Thanksgiving table with roasted turkey, sliced ham and side dishes. Prepping for Thanksgiving ahead of time can save a host a lot of frustration.

Gathering over a meal with friends and family is a Thanksgiving tradition. So how do you host a Thanksgiving event without a hitch?

Time, food and enjoying yourself as a host will set you up for success, said event planner Elyssia Pribble, CEO at Rae's Events & Project Management in Decatur, Georgia.

Whether you're serving 10 people at your house, or hosting a 100-person event, you never want to run out of food. To keep everyone fed, prepare one-and-a-half servings per person, rather than the traditional one serving per person, Pribble said.

"Food is essential and you’ll want to have enough to keep everyone happy," she said. "This includes appetizers so everyone is not waiting around for dinner to be ready to eat."

Pribble said having the sides sorted helps for time management and serving purposes.

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Budgeting for Thanksgiving Day

Of course with planning an event, the cost is of utmost importance, Pribble said.

"Budgeting your event will help you save money in the long run, and helps you shape your menu and decorations," she said. "The first step is to take inventory of the menu and drinks. Then you'll price everything out based on your list."

And prepare to spend more money than you think; the food and décor will cost more, she said.

Prep the night before

Preparing enough food requires good time management while having a good time, too.

Set up the space prior to your dinner or event. Set the table and make sure the décor is ready, Pribble said.

The host's attitude makes or breaks the event for everyone.

"Enjoy it," Pribble said. "No one likes to go to an event where the host is stressed or frustrated, so it’s important the host sets the vibe."

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Thanksgiving planning for the home or formal event made easy