Stress less this Thanksgiving by asking guests to bring their favorite side dish to your potluck-style get-together, then serve buffet-style. Set up a clever to-go station so everyone can take a bit of the deliciousness home with them.
Celebrate Without the Stress
This year make hosting Thanksgiving as easy as pie by celebrating potluck-style. You provide the basics (turkey, beverages and a few sides) and ask guests to bring their favorite dish. Thanksgiving is all about the food, so set up a handy to-go station for leftovers so everyone leaves with a few tasty bites to enjoy later.
Be Our Guest
Make sure your guests are in the know by mailing out this gorgeous invitation a few weeks before the big day. Just fill in the details suggesting they bring their favorite side dish or dessert so everyone can sample each other's best recipes.
Take On the Turkey
The turkey is hands-down the star of Thanksgiving dinner and should be center stage on your buffet. As the host, plan on cooking the turkey yourself. This Citrus and Herb-Roasted Turkey With Gravy Recipe is sure to hit all the right notes with your guests.
GET THE RECIPE: Citrus and Herb-Roasted Turkey With Gravy Recipe
Set the Table
With your turkey in the oven and your guests bringing most of the sides, you can focus on decorating your home and setting a beautiful table. A patterned fabric table runner in fall colors adds elegance while these paper place cards are easy to make with these free printable templates and a few basic craft supplies.
MAKE YOUR OWN: Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Place Card
Plan Ahead
Assign dishes or ask your guests what they'd like to bring to dinner. When they arrive, transfer everything to all-white platters and serving dishes to create a striking display that allows the cuisine to take center stage.
Signature Mock/Cocktail
It's a great idea to have a signature beverage at any celebration. Choose something seasonal like these caramel apple martinis. Skip the booze to make a mocktail. Dress up the glasses with cinnamon sugar and a wooden stir stick. Get the recipe and download these free printable labels for a custom look.
GET THE RECIPE: Caramel Apple Martini Recipe
Label It
Print these blank labels to add the perfect finishing touch to your Thanksgiving buffet. Guests can fill out the label for their dish as they arrive.
Thanksgiving Favorites
Use this set of preprinted food labels for the basics like turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and more. Craving Thanksgiving's favorite side? Try this easy stuffing recipe.
GET THE RECIPE: Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe
Homemade Pumpkin Pie
Most people agree that oh-so-seasonal pumpkin pie is one of the best things about Thanksgiving. Bake your favorite recipe or try ours and display on a pretty pedestal to remind your guests to save room for dessert.
GET THE RECIPE: Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Candied Yams
It's not Thanksgiving without candied yams, and they're actually easier to make than you may think. Give this recipe a try.
GET THE RECIPE: Candied Yams Recipe
Pack It Up
Be sure to send your guests home with plenty of delicious leftovers. Set up a food packaging station where guests can fill to-go containers with their favorites. Top boxes with one of these free printable labels for a chic finishing touch.
Paper Packaging
Forget Styrofoam and instead opt for eco-friendly paper containers for leftovers. Set out a variety of sizes and types of boxes and cartons. Disposable wooden utensils are also a great idea.
(Homemade!) Fast Food
Use mini containers to assemble the perfect to-go meal for friends or family who'll miss the Thanksgiving festivities due to travel or work obligations. They'll definitely be thankful for your thoughtfulness.
Make It Last
Print these "Enjoy Later" labels on white card stock then use a circle cutter to create round labels to embellish pint-sized containers' lids.
Creative Packaging
Every dinner guest will be ready to fill up on leftovers when they see your creative Thanksgiving packaging ideas. The printable tags and labels add the perfect touch and coordinate with the rest of the paper designs used at dinner.
GET THE TEMPLATES: 31 Printable (and Free!) Thanksgiving Templates
Sweet Treats
These mini box containers are just the right size for a sweet surprise for your guests. Fill with candies or snack mix, tie with twine and top with one of these printable "Sweet Treats" tags, then hand out to guests as they're leaving for a sweet send-off.
Happy Thanksgiving
Everyone loves Thanksgiving leftovers, so their to-go boxes may be just as stuffed as they are. Have plenty of handy twine on hand to wrap the boxes to prevent any mishaps on the way home. Most importantly, enjoy your family and friends and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Source: HGTV.com