Thanksgiving is a holiday that celebrates family, friends, and good food. It’s one of the most popular holidays, and it’s no surprise why: Thanksgiving dishes are hearty and delicious, from pumpkin pie to turkey. But Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a massive production.

Plan Ahead

When you’re hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, planning is essential. This way, you don’t leave last-minute guests high and dry with nothing but cold mashed potatoes (not to mention the risk of fires). To save time, pre-prepare the sides of the meal before guests arrive. Wash the vegetables and cut up the meat, so they’re ready to go when people arrive. Plus, you’ll save yourself from using extra dishes throughout the day.

Prepare Foods Everyone Will Enjoy

Another thing you can do is bring foods that everyone will enjoy. This means incorporating sweet and savory flavors into your meal so everyone can find something they like. When preparing the dessert, try serving something everyone can eat with their hands or slowly over time instead of all at once.

If you want to add some extra flavor to your meal, try one of these best Thanksgiving dishes:

Cranberry

A delicious side dish to add to your Thanksgiving feast is cranberry sauce. You can make your own or buy it in jars from the store. It’s a great way to add color and flavor to your meal.

Soups

Soups are also a great option for Thanksgiving, especially if leftovers from the turkey dinner need to be used up. Try a hearty minestrone soup recipe!

Most people like turkey and stuffing, but plenty of other options exist. Try stuffing (without the turkey) or ham, chicken, or vegetarian dishes instead. Your Thanksgiving guests will appreciate the variety! Add fall décor to the table with leaves, pumpkins, and gourds. The colors will bring warmth to the room and set a festive mood.