Be the perfect Thanksgiving guest

November 19, 2009

Hosting a Thanksgiving meal is stressful. Hosts must plan out how to fit dozens of guests around one giant table and keep them all fed and happy for a day of family togetherness - a task mush easier said than done.

If you're attending a large dinner at a friend or relative's house, there are a few things you can do to help them out. The most obvious one is to offer to bring a side dish. The turkey can be a challenge in and of itself, so knowing that someone else is responsible for the green bean casserole and apple pie can take a little of the burden off of your host's shoulders.

Help out with other aspects of the meal, too. Ask your host if they have enough wine glasses and plate settings, and try to provide whatever else they need. If you have time, offer to stop by the night before to set the table and help with the prep work. Peeling ten pounds of potatoes by yourself is no one's idea of a fun Wednesday night.

And of course, last but not least, offer to help do the dishes!