How to Prep Your Kitchen for Thanksgiving

Posted on September 30, 2022 By Alison P

Having the family over for Thanksgiving? With everything from cooking and cleaning to decorating your home, prepping for the holidays can be a lot of work. Don't get caught up in kitchen with tedious tasks - spend more time with your family and celebrate all that you're thankful for! Use our prep tips to help #keepfamilyfirst, all while being the master of the kitchen this holiday season.

Cleaning the Kitchen & Appliances

Vacuum the day before company arrives - don't worry about cleaning the day of!

Organize and clean your refrigerator in advance to make room for leftovers - they're the best!

Tidy up the kitchen

Clean your coffee maker or Keurig

Clean your oven and range in advance

Empty your dishwasher or clean out your sink to be ready for your company's dishes

Tips for Setting the Table

Set your dinner table in advance with a place setting for each guest
Use crafty place cards
Add some colorful napkins (like crimson red, mustard yellow, or burnt orange)
Create a fall-themed centerpiece using sunflowers, leaves, pine cones, and ribbons
Make a cornucopia
Place gourds and pumpkins on the table
Incorporate some flameless battery-operated candles
Set the scene with LED lighting
Include a fall-themed tablecloth or table runner
Play background music through your home audio system
Set up a VIP kids' table. Give the kiddos time to chat and enjoy time with their siblings, cousins, and friends
Add crayons and coloring pages at the VIP kids' table

Prepping Your Food

Prep side dishes, appetizers, or desserts the night before if possible
Cook with your family; prepare meals with your kids or grand kids #keepfamilyfirst
Set up an appetizer table with plates, utensils, and napkins
Prepare ingredients for dishes being cooked on Thanksgiving
Make a toppings station next to the dinner table. Easy toppings can include cranberries, walnuts, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, almonds, raisins, marshmallows, pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, gingerbread spice, vanilla, and brown sugar.
Leave enough time to heat or reheat prepared food in the microwave or oven

Prepping Your Drinks

Set up a beverage station with fall-themed cups and glasses
Incorporate a beverage center or wine cooler
Put out an ice bucket (add the ice before company arrives)
Plan additional, fall-themed beverage options in advance (apple cider, infused water, or herbal tea)

After everyone's done eating a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, make sure to spend some time together with family:

#KeepFamilyFirst Ideas

Leave a note at each guests' table setting telling them why you're thankful for them
Clean up the dinner table with team effort
Prepare dessert together
Share pumpkin or sweet potato pie
Play games with the family (card games, board games, crafts)
Tell stories about Thanksgiving when you were a kid
Set up crafts for the kids (paint hand turkeys)
Take lots of pictures with your camera
Make a collage or scrapbook with your family
Watch TV together (football or holiday movies)
Make plans for the holidays
Play video games
Watch home videos
Make a new home video
Enjoy each other's company & be thankful!

The P.C. Richard & Son family hopes you and your family enjoy your time with each other. After all, Thanksgiving is all about celebrating all that we're most thankful for. Have a happy holiday!