6 Hosting Tips for a Safer, Smoother Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
And if you’re the one hosting this year - you’ve probably got a to-do list longer than Grandma’s recipe book.
From cooking the bird to cleaning the house… there’s a lot riding on this meal. But here’s the good news:
With the right plan (and a little prep), you can host like a pro, and without the stress.
Here are 6 simple, sanity-saving tips to help you pull off a memorable, meaningful Thanksgiving… and be the calm in the chaos.
6 Hosting Tips for a Safer, Smoother Thanksgiving
1. Make a Backup Plan for Power
Hosting a big meal? Don’t let a blown fuse or power outage ruin dinner.
- Test your kitchen appliances in advance - especially older appliances. A glitchy oven or microwave can throw your entire meal off schedule.
- Have flashlights in easy-to-reach spots ... not just for power loss, but to help guests navigate safely if lights flicker or when departing.
- And if you want guaranteed peace of mind? Use a Patriot Power Generator as your secret weapon for backup power — no gas, no fumes.
Bonus: Nothing says “prepared host” like keeping the lights on, and most importantly the coffee brewing and oven going when the grid goes dark.
2. Create a Simple Cooking Schedule
You don’t need military precision. But if you’re juggling a bird, three casseroles, and a pie? A plan is your secret weapon.
- Write down what needs to go in the oven, and when.
- Prep what you can the night before (pie crusts, veggie chopping, etc.).
- Bonus: Post your plan on the fridge so family can help, not hover.
Remember, a calm cook makes better food, and memories.
3. Stock the Pantry with Shelf-Stable Staples
Need gravy thickener? Out of broth? Avoid that last-minute grocery store panic by stocking a few 4Patriots Real Food items now like:
- Dinner Bell Broccoli Bake (can double as a quick side)
- Sweet Oatmeal (breakfast for houseguests)
- Freeze-dried fruit (for topping pies or salads)
These aren't just emergency supplies - they’re meal-saving reinforcements when the stores are closed and the pressure is high.
4. Prep a Kid Station
An army may march on its stomach… but little ones run on entertainment. If you’ve got little ones attending, set up a simple corner for:
- Coloring pages or puzzles
- A few books, cards, games or quiet toys
- Healthy pre-meal snacks they can grab themselves
This tiny setup buys parents a moment of peace, and gives kids their own special mission while the grown-ups swap stories or seconds.
5. Think Like a Scout: Be Ready for Messes
Spills, drips, and “oops” moments are inevitable. Have these on hand:
- Stock a cleanup kit - towels, wipes, extra trash bags
- Have backup outfits for toddlers and spill-prone guests (you know who they are)
- Treat it like a drill - fast, calm, no big deal
The goal? Keep spirits high, not stained. Preparedness isn't just for crises - it's for sticky situations, too.
6. Give Thanks, Your Way
Before the meal, take 60 seconds to pause.
Share something you’re grateful for. Invite others to do the same.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be real.
Because at the end of the day, no one remembers if the turkey was dry. But they will remember how they felt at your table.
One Last Tip: Keep a Little Extra on Hand
Whether it’s an extra seat, an unexpected guest, or someone who just needs a little kindness — a prepared host always has a little more to give.
That’s why we always recommend having a few extra servings of emergency food, water, or warmth supplies stored nearby. You never know who might need it.
From our 4Patriots family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving.
You’ve got this!
🦃 Did You Know? The First Thanksgiving Almost Didn’t Happen
Most folks picture the first Thanksgiving as a peaceful feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag... but the truth is, it was anything but guaranteed.
See, by the time that meal happened in 1621, nearly half of the original settlers had already died from disease and starvation. These were families - men, women, and children - who’d risked it all for a shot at freedom. And they were hanging on by a thread.
If not for the generosity and wisdom of Native Americans like Squanto - who taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn and catch fish - there may not have been any feast at all.
And get this: they didn’t even call it “Thanksgiving.” It was a 3-day survival celebration. No pies, no football. Just roasted meat, smoked fish, and gratitude that they were still breathing.
So yeah... they were prepared to be thankful - because they’d fought tooth and nail just to make it that far.
Kind of makes you think… would we be ready if we had to fend for ourselves like they did?