Thanksgiving is on the way with family time, fun friends, delicious food and endless hours of football. Turkey Day is one of our favorite holidays, but it also has the potential to be one of the most disastrous days of the year.
1. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Buy the Turkey
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It's happened to most of us at least once. The days leading up to Thanksgiving are a hustle and bustle, and by the time the day arrives, you realize you forgot the turkey. Grocery stores look like a barren desert, and even if you do find a turkey, it takes at least two to four days for a turkey to thaw. Set a reminder on your phone for one to two weeks before the big day, or if you plan on buying a fresh turkey, call ahead and reserve the bird.
2. Preparing the Whole Meal the Day Of
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Thanksgiving meals are normally large with various fresh dishes that require lengthy prep/cooking times. Preparing the entire meal on Thanksgiving Day can lead to stress, and, meal quality may not be the best possible. DIY, by RepairClinic.com, suggests creating a meal-preparation schedule ahead of time. Baking or cooking some of the side dishes the day before will allow you more time to make sure the turkey is cooked to perfection the next day.
3. Inefficient Entertainment and Seating
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If you have a large group of guests, entertainment is essential to a comfortable and fun environment. Inefficient seating will make for an unpleasant experience. To ensure guests' comfort, count your guest list ahead of time and be sure to have extra chairs on hand just in case. You will want to do a run-through the day before to make sure all electronics are working properly so the big game or the parade are started on schedule.
4. Inviting Too Many Guests
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Inviting all of your family and friends is tempting to do during Thanksgiving, but inviting too many may lead to discomfort or even awkward situations. When planning your guest list, invite those closest to you. Take into account the size of your home and how many people you can comfortably fit, not how many you can fit into every nook and cranny.
5. Trying to Be the Thanksgiving Hero
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Don't be a hero. Thanksgiving preparation takes a lot of planning and a lot of hard work. Trying to cook the meal, clean the house, organize the table and more on your own will wear you out and drive a stake into your holiday enjoyment. It may also lead to a not-so-great meal. Recruit your family's help and set out at a task list for everyone.
6. Forgetting to Take Time Out of Preparation to Enjoy the Company
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Thanksgiving Day is whirlwind of preparation, cooking, hellos and goodbyes, eating and sleeping. Losing yourself in preparation and cooking will quickly drive your physical and emotional state down, lending to a stressful or unenjoyable day for you as the host. Take some time out of everything andpace yourself. Enjoy the holiday and all the hard work you've put into it.
7. If You Are Traveling, Waiting Till the Last Minute to Buy Your Ticket
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Traveling during the holidays is EXPENSIVE. Not only that, tickets are quickly snatched up months in advance of holiday travel dates. According to Boston.com, Rick Seaney, co-founder of farecompare.com, notes that prices of airline tickets rise at the 30-day mark before the holiday. To avoid spending hundreds, or even thousands of dollars on a plane ticket, buy ahead of time. Seaney suggests booking a month to three months prior to your planned travel date for domestic destinations and a month-and-a-half to five months prior for international destinations.
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