Hosting Thanksgiving dinner? Here are 6 big mistakes to avoid when hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner ever!

1.  Waiting Till The Last Minute

The number one rule for holiday hosting is to always plan ahead. Don’t wait until the very last minute to start shopping. Pick up a fresh turkey or ham 3-4 days before the holidays. You can even reserve your Thanksgiving turkey 1-2 weeks in advance at your local grocery store.

Whole Foods Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock).

Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock).

2. Trying New Recipes For The Holidays

Avoid any last minute holiday disasters by sticking to recipes you know! If you’re thinking about trying a new recipe this year, do a trial run ahead of time. This way you can do a taste test, make adjustments to recipes if needed, and impress your guests with delicious food.

3. Running Out of Food

Knowing how much food to serve for the holidays can be tricky. A good rule of thumb is to prepare plenty of side dishes and factor in about 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. It’s always better to have more than you need than to leave your guests unsatisfied and hungry on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Photo Credit: Stacy Spensley (Flickr).

Photo Credit: Stacy Spensley (Flickr).

4. Burning The Dinner Rolls

Nobody likes eating burnt dinner rolls. With the chaos and overwhelming pressure of cooking and hosting, dinner rolls are often forgotten about in the oven. This is one mistake you’ll want to make sure you avoid when hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner.  For perfectly baked rolls, set a timer on your phone and check the oven every few minutes.

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5. Cutting Your Turkey Too Early

Don’t make the mistake of carving your turkey too early. Once your turkey is done, carefully remove it from the oven and cover it loosely with tin foil for 30-40 minutes. Giving the juices enough time to settle is the secret to a delicious, moist, and tender Thanksgiving turkey!

Turkey Photo Credit: State Farm (Flickr).

Photo Credit: State Farm (Flickr).

6. Refusing To Ask For Help

Just because you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner ever doesn’t mean you can’t ask your guests for some help! Ask each one of your guests to bring a side dish or dessert option. Whether it’s setting the table or bringing extra side dishes, having a little help from your guests makes all the difference in holiday hosting.

Avoid these holiday disasters and host the perfect Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends!