5 tips on hosting a large Thanksgiving dinner

Hosting Thanksgiving does require extra planning and attention to timing when you are cooking for a large group. Here are some tips to help make sure you host the best Thanksgiving for a large group.

• Before you get started on your plans, start thinking in advance about how much you're going to make. Think about which dishes are most popular with your family and friends and calculate whether you will need to double or triple your recipes.
• Make sure you purchase your turkey early, so you can get the right size. Usually you can count on one pound of turkey per person. If you have a party of ten or more, you may want to consider getting two turkeys so that they cook in less time.

• A buffet is one of the best ways to cater to a large group. Organize your buffet table ahead of time by setting out all of the bowls, trays, serving platters, and serving spoons and forks.
• Before the meal, set out all the food on the buffet table and have your guests help themselves to a plate before they sit down.

• Your kitchen will be chaotic and your oven will be tied up, so try to get as much prep work out of the way beforehand as you can. You can make many of the side dishes, such as casseroles, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salads, and desserts the day before and heat them up for ten to fifteen minutes before you eat.

• You don't want to run into any issues with seating, so make sure you set the table the day before to ensure that there is room for everyone to sit and eat comfortably.
• Benches are a good way to fit a lot of people at a table, and you can also use a folding table and folding chairs as an addition to your dining table if you are in need of extra space.

• Try not to stress out too much about cooking a big meal. The host always sets the mood of the party, so make sure you are feeling good and taking it easy on yourself that day. People will be happy that you have invited them into your home and you should take advantage of the gathering to relax and enjoy it.