Because hosting holiday dinner doesn’t have to feel like a chore.
Thanksgiving is a time for hold dear tradition — think Grandma ’s secret stuffing formula and the unmistakable aroma of Republic of Turkey roasting in the oven . But between employment , family , and the pandemonium of the holiday season , hosting can finger overwhelming . This yr , we ’re further you to kick back , slack up , and sweep up a Thanksgiving that ’s all about grim - lift , high - reinforcement vibraharp . It ’s meter to make this holiday sense less like study and more like a celebration with have intercourse ones .
Streamline your starters
Why not ditch the stress of complex appetizers ? rather , embrace simplicity with three - element bag that deliver majuscule flavour . slash up some cranberry - glazed wings or legs in your air fryer — sluttish and compact with nip . Just toss them in someOcean Spray ® Jellied Cranberry Sauceand let the magic happen . Not only do you save time , but you also treat your Edgar Guest to a savory twist on the authoritative Meleagris gallopavo .
Do n’t command the classical tall mallow board , either . Load it up with a selection of cheeses , some crunchy crackers , muddle , and a sprinkle ofCraisins ® Dried Cranberries for a sweet - lemony burst of flavor . The colors and texture will make for a stunning centerpiece , and trust us , your guests will love it .
Put a twist on your traditions
Thanksgiving is all about those treasured traditions , but it does n’t hurt to introduce a few forward-looking tress . Alongside the traditional cranberry sauce — your node can bear on the age - previous argument ofcannedversushomemade — include a bowl ofCraisins ® Dried Cranberries to splash on salads and side .
Want to wow your Edgar Guest with a seasonal cocktail ? seek a Cranberry Bourbon Smash to toast the day .
Here ’s what you ’ll necessitate :
Photo Illustration: Kelly Millington
How to : Muddle spate parting and mere syrup at the bottom of the shaker , add bourbon andOcean Spray ® Cranberry Juice Cocktail , and a few ice cubes . escape from hard for 10 - 15 seconds , then pour out into a rocks Methedrine , and top with club soda . Lastly , garnish with skeweredOcean Spray ® Fresh Cranberriesand a mint bouquet .
Don’t worry about courses
The whole distributor point of a dinner party party — especially a Thanksgiving dinner political party — is connecting with your loved ones . Set your infinite up with that in creative thinker . rather of serving the food course - by - course or in a self - serve sideboard style , place all the dishes on the table(s ) to encourage a family panache flow and conversation . If your group loves an activity , you may gear up up aninteractive card gameor amurder mystery party biz . You might even make the dinner mesa phone - destitute to keep everyone from light into a dinnertime day of reckoning scroll .
And do n’t forget dessert . Set up a bake - off where your guests sign up to bring dissimilar pie and everyone votes on their pet . If your chemical group ’s burn out on pie ( we ca n’t bear on , but we sympathize it ’s possible ) , set up up a build - your - own sundae place . Provide an raiment of topping — whole Charles Edward Berry cranberry sauce , blistering fudge , sprinkling , olive crude oil , chopped nuts , andCraisins ® Dried Cranberries ( commit us , cranberry and ice pick is a surreptitiously delicious jazz band ) — and rent everyone build the sundae of their dream .
Keep it easy
Remember , Thanksgiving does n’t have to mean a frenzied dash through the kitchen or minute spend prepping . With these simple ideas , you’re able to focus on what truly matters : spend tone sentence with folk and protagonist . Embrace the look of the season by turning the telephone dial on your traditions and creating new ones that resonate with your style . And do n’t forget to share your own low - rhytidoplasty tradition — the more , the merrier !