So many people are out of their element this time of year-
but no worries, help is on the way.
I just read a cute article on Flavorwire
geared for the twentysomething hosting their first Thanksgiving,
and whether you're in that category or simply out of your element,
there are some great common sense tips- with a modern slant, of course.
Now, granted, I am not twenty years old,
hosting my first Thanksgiving, or out of my element, but,
I'm always looking out for new ideas and takes
on the tried and true.
Two things here....
music is always prominent at our house,
dinner never an exception, but, hmm what to play;
then, how to rally the troops- post dishes?
My two favorite tips from the article proved very helpful...
the rest are on Flavorwire.
Music:
Music is a great way to set a mood, but it’s also a minefield. You want your guests to be able to hear each other talk, so make sure it isn’t too loud. And unless you’re hosting friends who share your taste in music, divisive stuff like punk and noise is just going to put people on edge. In general, you can never go wrong with the classics: The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Leonard Cohen. Everyone likes these people, and if they don’t, you probably don’t want them in your home.
Music is a great way to set a mood, but it’s also a minefield. You want your guests to be able to hear each other talk, so make sure it isn’t too loud. And unless you’re hosting friends who share your taste in music, divisive stuff like punk and noise is just going to put people on edge. In general, you can never go wrong with the classics: The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Leonard Cohen. Everyone likes these people, and if they don’t, you probably don’t want them in your home.
After dinner:
Different families have different post-meal traditions — but way too many involve the dudes gravitating to the wrap-around couch to zone out in front of football while the ladies scramble to clean up and entertain the kids. In 2010! Just because it’s Thanksgiving doesn’t mean it needs to be the ’50s. Sure, let people take turns with dishes, but try to find an activity that everyone can participate in, be it a board game or a favorite holiday movie (Hannah and Her Sisters, anyone?). And it’s never a bad idea to give people a hot holiday cocktail to sit with as they chat.
