Thanksgiving is one of the biggest hosting holidays of the year. And whether you’re taking on the responsibility this year or just going as a guest, there are a lot of little details that you can’t overlook. There are few people as qualified to give advice for holiday hosting as Sandra Lee.
Lee taught generations of viewers how to make festive cocktails and stunning tablescapes as the Emmy-winning host of Food Network’s Semi-Homemade Cooking. Now, as a QVC personality and the host of Netflix’s Blue Ribbon Baking Championship, she remains one of the nation’s foremost experts on all things kitchen and home.
Lee stopped by Delish Kitchen Studios to make festive cocktails (with lots of booze, naturally) and reveal some go-to tips for celebrating the holidays. She shared a few commonly-made mistakes that you may not even realize you’re doing—and what you should do instead.
Not Helping The Host
Just because you may not be on hosting duty this year doesn’t mean you don’t have work to do. In fact, it’s the obligation of every guest to offer a helping hand. “If you're attending someone's Thanksgiving call in advance and make sure that there's nothing that you can do to help them or to bring for them,” Lee says.
You don’t need to get your hands dirty with the turkey or take on technically advanced kitchen tasks. But lightening the workload for the host makes the day go more smoothly (and earns you some brownie points at the party). Ask if you can help clean the inevitable pile of dishes or set the table. “They probably won't ask you to do it, but at least offer it,” Lee adds.
Not Bringing A Gift
Whether you’re helping around the house or not, you should never show up to a party empty-handed. The hosts are going the extra mile to make sure your Thanksgiving is as celebratory as possible. The least you can do is give them a little something to show your gratitude.
A small token of your appreciation, like a bottle of wine, a nice olive oil, or a simple bouquet of flowers is a simple way to show you care. “I’m going to my best friend Alexandra Stanton's for Thanksgiving this year,” Lee says. “So I'm sure I'll be doing the dishes and helping to cook and bringing a great hostess gift.”
Not Making Pie Ahead Of Time
Let’s face it: a Thanksgiving meal requires a lot of work. So your best bet is to do as much planning as you can ahead of time. And if you’re hosting for the holidays this year, the easiest way to save time on the big day is you get your desserts out of the way early.
“If you are making a pumpkin pie, make it a couple days before or even make it before and freeze it,” Lee says. Or if that’s too much work, the Semi-Homemade queen is never opposed to a store-bought option. “It depends on how much time I have, how many people I have coming over, and how I feel. I don't think you should be ashamed at all,” she adds.
Not Making Two Turkeys
The final boss of holiday cooking is the turkey. It’s the centerpiece of the meal and requires a lot of finesse to get just right. But the bigger the bird, the more stressful it can feel. “Large turkeys are a lot to manage,” Lee says. So instead, she has a better alternative: “Two small turkeys, not one large turkey.”
Smaller turkeys are less unwieldy, take less time to thaw and roast, and are less likely to end up overcooked. And as an added bonus? You get twice as much of everything. Double the legs, double the wings, double the wishbones, and double the fun.
