I can’t believe Thanksgiving is already over! It came and went so fast this year. And as is our family’s tradition, we had a big get together at our house – 20 people this year, plus 3 little ones. Everything went well but I learned a few things I’m going to do different for Christmas dinner.
- Tablecloths. We usually set up two tables and cover them with fabric tablecloths. This year we had THREE tables so rather than buy three new tablecloths, I got $1 plastic tablecloths. The tables looked pretty but when I was ready to set my first HOT dish down, I realized I was going to need a lot more potholders than usual. Oops. I didn’t think about that when I bought the plastic. For Christmas, I’m getting three fabric tablecloths. Then I won’t have to worry about melted plastic.
- Latecomers. We have a couple of people in our family who tend to run . . . well, late. They have a variety of reasons but they’re almost always late. We usually eat about 12:30, and at 12:15 we’re trying to decide whether to start setting the table. I really, really, really hate to start without people but this situation is so stressful that I’ve decided that from now on I’m going to make sure everyone knows what time we’re eating and that we’re not waiting. If they’re late, we’ll save a place for them and they can join us when they get here. I know it sounds heartless, but it makes planning and setting the table easier and less stressful.
- Multiple Dishes. Our table was so long that it was going to take forever to pass all the dishes plus some were too hot to pass. So I put some of the foods in two dishes so we could have a dish at each end. That helped but at Christmas I’m going to try to make sure everything is in two dishes with one at each end. I also need a second set of salt and pepper shakers. And it would help if I put them out. Oops. I didn’t realize they weren’t out until later.
- Cleared Counters. My counters don’t normally have a lot of stuff on them but when you start setting out all the holiday crock pots and casserole dishes, the counters get full fast! For Christmas, I’m going to take everything off the counters that I don’t need and keep the counters as clear as possible for all that yummy food.
- Coffee. I made a HUGE mistake and didn’t offer coffee. My sister-in-law was desperate for coffee and we were able to find a 2-cup pot and some filters. We caught my daughter before she left her house and she brought some coffee. Whew! At Christmas, I will definitely be sure to have coffee. Just because I don’t drink it doesn’t mean nobody else does!
So there you have it – a few things I learned from Thanksgiving dinner. And now, let the planning begin for Christmas dinner!
Good thoughts. I can’t believe there was no coffee! That would be a sin in my family:)
I can’t believe I didn’t think of coffee! I feel about diet soda the way they do about coffee so I should have been more sensitive. I’ll definitely do better at Christmas! (or there might be a mutiny).
Can’t believe I made the blog mention as the sister-in-law who was desperate for coffee. Sure, I felt wild and crazed — but I thought I was playing it cool! Guess not. It was a wonderful meal, a great time with family and friends and now I’m super bummed I’m not making it to Christmas…where there will be COFFEE!
Coffee, coffee and plenty of it. Maybe you should rethink that decision to skip.