If it’s your turn to host Thanksgiving this year, you know that there’s more to hosting a holiday gathering than just preparing the food. Getting your home ready takes a lot of preparation and maybe even some creativity. Before Thanksgiving 2024 sneaks up on your calendar, take the time now to start thinking of how you want this year to be extra special.
Here are some ways to impress your guests and make your home the best place to gather this holiday season.
11 Ideas to Make Thanksgiving 2024 Extra Special in Your Home
Invest in a Warming Tray
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Warming trays allow you to keep your dishes at a safe temperature until you are ready to serve. Whether it’s your famous yams, tasty gravy or even the turkey itself, a convenient heating tray can provide a helping hand when you’re making the best Thanksgiving dinner ever.
Watch for Black Friday Deals Before Thanksgiving
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Make your living room the ultimate Thanksgiving football viewing spot with a new TV. Places like BestBuy and Walmart are always promoting sales on big electronics even before the holiday weekend. See deals now.
Invest in Artificial Plants for Your Porch
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With the temperatures dropping (and maybe even snow coming down), flowers have a hard time staying alive until Thanksgiving. Some higher-end artificial mums, ones that could be mistaken for real ones, will keep your porch looking colorful and festive before bringing out the Christmas décor.
Apply a Warming Pad Under Your Countertop
Make your kitchen island a little more inviting this holiday season by adding some warmth under the overhang. An ultra-slim stick-on countertop warmer can be installed yourself and will take away that cold chill of granite or marble. (Plus, warmer plates!)
Give Centerpieces a New Home
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Free up prime dinner-table real estate by moving oversize arrangements to the buffet. And don’t bother with elaborate floral fantasies: Just go “shopping” in your backyard for branches of holly, crab apple, or bittersweet berries. Then bring in-demand items — butter, gravy, cranberry sauce — to the middle of the table.
Install a New Backsplash
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One way to make your kitchen feel brand new without having to spend an arm and a leg is to update your current backsplash. Guests are sure to notice the improvement and you will enjoy spending time in the kitchen even more.
Purchase an Electric Gravy Boat
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No more running back and forth between the table and kitchen to get hot gravy. This ceramic gravy boat keeps this Thanksgiving favorite at the perfect serving temperature, and a detachable cord makes for a clean look.
Organize a Mini Pumpkin Hunt
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Perfect for families with young kids, a mini pumpkin hunt is easy to set up the day of Thanksgiving and a fun way to get everyone moving after eating. You could have everyone decorate a pumpkin or simply award the person who finds the most throughout the house or yard!
Give Your Guest Bathroom a Face Lift
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Thanksgiving is all about consuming plenty of food and drinks so your guests are bound to utilize your bathroom! In addition to some added fall décor, consider new hardware for your cupboards, a different sink faucet or new lighting fixtures. A little change can go a long way.
Designate an Area Just for Football Watchers to Graze
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Whether it’s a table or a section of the house, create a space for people who are into the football games. Deck out your space with snacks and drinks near the TV so that they don’t miss a moment. This area keeps people out of the kitchen while the food is being prepared but ties them over until the Thanksgiving meal is done.
Step Up Your Thanksgiving Turkey Game
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Cook your holiday turkey to the same delectable moistness as a standard deep-fryer, but without the dangerous and unhealthy oil. The best part? It takes less than 10 minutes per pound to cook!