How to Host Thanksgiving in a Small Space

In a few days, family and friends will arrive at your door, ready to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with those they love most. While not everyone has the luxury of hosting the holiday in a large, spacious dining room, there are options for those living in smaller homes. If you have more guests than space, don’t stress about hosting them all in your home. Instead, learn how to host Thanksgiving in a small space with these tips and tricks.

Keep It Simple

Plan your Thanksgiving dinner ahead of time and keep it as simple as possible. With limited table and counter space, prepare side dishes ahead of time so the turkey can take up most of your attention on the day itself. You can also opt for sides that are best served at room temperature, so you don’t have to worry about everything being piping hot at dinner time.

Thanksgiving is large meal, so full appetizers aren’t required, but that doesn’t mean guests won’t expect some snacks beforehand. With limited space in your fridge and oven, select store-prepared or pre-packaged apps like cheese, nuts, and dried fruits. These lighter treats will be much appreciated but won’t fill your guests up before it’s turkey time.

Open It Up

You want there to be as much flow to your small space as possible during the holiday so guests don’t feel overcrowded. Open sliding modern doors and windows to let your space feel as big as possible. Doing this also helps keep your home cooler, so visitors aren’t stifling hot during the meal.

Rearrange Furniture

Looking at your common areas, you might notice that there are pieces of furniture that can serve a better purpose during your Thanksgiving meal. Use them. For instance, a console table can provide additional space for serving snacks or serving as a place for extra napkins and condiments.

Maybe you see items that won’t serve any purpose during the day, in which case, store it in a bedroom while guests are there. Play around with the furniture layout in your home to see which one yields the most comfortable results.

Experiment with Lighting

Lighting completely transforms a space. Create a warm, welcoming atmosphere by experimenting with different lighting. Lamps, overhead lights, candles, string lights: there are so many options available. Take time before Thanksgiving to see what will work best for you and your guests.

Eat Unconventionally

Traditionally Thanksgiving is a formal sit-down affair, but that doesn’t have to be the case for your dinner. This is a holiday so have fun with your guests by mixing it up a little bit. Give alternative seating methods a try, such as floor pillows, stools, or benches. Serve the meal buffet-style instead of taking up limited table space with bulky platters and bowls. Have fun with it by clearing out all of the furniture in your common areas and laying out blankets for an indoor holiday picnic.

Group Participation

If space in your kitchen is particularly tight, host Thanksgiving as a potluck. This will save you kitchen space while cooking the main dish and it will ensure your guests favorite mean is on the menu. Guests can take home items, so you don’t have to worry about storing a ton of food in your pantry and refrigerator.

Clean As You Go

Throughout the evening, cleaning between courses minimizes counter and sink areas taken up by messes. If you are struggling to balance hosting, serving, and cleaning Thanksgiving dinner all at once, stash dirty plates and glasses in your bathtub and close the curtain. After everyone has left for the evening, you can relocate these items to your kitchen for cleaning.

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