How to Host Thanksgiving in a Small House: Simple Tips (2023)

Last Updated on September 25, 2023 by Kimberlee Johnson

Hosting Thanksgiving in a cozy little house might sound challenging, but it can be a heartwarming and memorable experience.

When I lived in a small apartment, my friends and I had Thanksgiving at my place. Since my place was small, I had to find ways to make it work.

From the table arrangement to preparing a delicious feast, I learned that it’s not about the size of your space but the love and togetherness that count most.

Today, I’ll guide you on how to host Thanksgiving in a small house. Read on.

Table of Contents

A Guide To Hosting A Thanksgiving In A Small House

1. Prep In Advance

Preparation is key when planning to host Thanksgiving in a smaller home.

“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.”
– Wendy Wunder, Writer

If you’re limited on space, it’s only sometimes possible to cook multiple dishes at once, so getting some tasks out of the way beforehand can make the big day much less stressful.

2. Expand Dining Space

When you want to celebrate Thanksgiving at your place, but your house has limited space, don’t worry. Extra space for dining and serving is achievable.

Consider using areas outside of your traditional dining room for the occasion. Your living room can accommodate a makeshift table, or your kitchen counter can double as a serving area.

Foldable furniture that you can tuck away afterward can be of great use. Consider ground seating set-ups for a unique, warm, and inviting atmosphere.

3. Set Up Furniture Arrangement

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving in a small house, think carefully about your furniture layout.

You need to know how many guests are coming to ensure there’s room for everyone to move around easily.

Or you should shift around some bigger furniture like sofas or shelves to free up more space. But what will you do on Thanksgiving alone?

4. Fridge Management

Managing your fridge well is important when having a Thanksgiving party in a small house. This is because your fridge [1] needs a lot of food and drinks.

“A small house can’t contain the joy of Thanksgiving; it simply multiplies it.”
– Howkapow Gift Site

Make sure you put in the fridge only the things that need to be cool, like raw food for cooking, desserts that go bad fast, and cold drinks.

Plan your food for the party, so you know what needs to be in the fridge and what doesn’t. Also, you can use cool boxes for things that don’t need to be too cold.

Check out these things to do besides eating on Thanksgiving here.

5. Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning means more than just dusting or vacuuming. You should also tidy up places like bookshelves, corners of rooms, and closets.

This ensures room for your guests and their things like coats and bags. Also, a clean house is healthy, which keeps your guests from feeling sick.

6. Clutter Control

Keeping things tidy is important when you want friends and family to come over for Thanksgiving, especially if your house is small.

A good step is to clean up each room you’ll be using, put away stuff you don’t need, or even move big furniture that’s in the way.

Ensure your kitchen is organized and even the counters are clean and free. Keep the things you will cook with and the food ingredients in places that are easy to reach.

7. Early Grocery Shopping

Hosting Thanksgiving in a small house can be easier when you grocery shop early. This means buying your food items a few weeks before Thanksgiving.

It will help you skip the long lines and crowded shops and avoid making your small kitchen too crowded all at once.

You can buy things that don’t spoil, like canned goods [2], or things that can be kept in the freezer, a bit at a time.

8. Smart Cooking

Smart cooking is an important trick when making a big Thanksgiving meal in a small kitchen.

This means planning, practicing your recipes, and using tools to help you do more than one thing.

For example, machines like air fryers or slow cookers can do much work for you and save time. Also, making some dishes before the big day can free up space for Thanksgiving.

9. Early Start

Start getting ready early to have Thanksgiving at your small house.

This means you must know what food you’re making before that day and do some of the work beforehand. Also, arrange your house in a smart way to have more space.

Check out these gifts to bring to Thanksgiving dinner with your boyfriend’s family here.

10. Serve The Foods In A Buffet-Style

Serving food buffet-style isn’t just good for saving space and making the meal feel fun and easygoing.

Instead of eating at a big table, you can put all the food on your kitchen counter or at a different table.

So your guests can choose what they want instead of passing around large bowls or plates.

FAQs

How do you host a large Thanksgiving gathering?

When hosting a large Thanksgiving gathering, organization is key. Opt for multiple make-ahead casseroles to save oven space and time.

And distract guests with appetizers and snacks to keep them satisfied while you prepare the main meal.

What time do most Thanksgiving dinners begin?

Thanksgiving dinners normally begin between 5 and 6 p.m., with the most common start time being about 6 p.m.

This timing allows for a balance between preparing and enjoying the feast while accommodating various schedules and traditions.

Wrapping Up

As we wrap up our guide on hosting Thanksgiving in a small space, I can’t help but reflect on the importance of thoughtful preparation. It’s like when you plan things to make them easier.

We’ve explored two essential things. First, the art of preparation: Start early, clean up, buy what you need, and cook smartly.

Doing these things will help make things less messy and more fun.

Second, create a comfortable environment: You can move your furniture around and smartly use your space to make your guests feel at home.

If you do these things, you can have a great Thanksgiving in a small space and make special memories with your family and friends.

References:

https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/maintenance-repairs/refrigerator-maintenance
https://www.eatright.org/food/planning/smart-shopping/are-canned-foods-nutritious-for-my-family

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Kimberlee Johnson

Kimberlee Johnson is a preschool teacher and a mom of 3. She puts a lot of thought into gift-buying and gift-giving as she believes that each gift should tell a story. She enjoys scrapbooking and watching the History Channel. Learn more about us here or you can email us [email protected].