🦃 Get Your Home Ready to Host the Big Feast Like a Pro

Thanksgiving is all about gathering with loved ones, sharing good food, and making memories around the table, but if you’re the one hosting this year, it can also mean a little bit of chaos! No matter if you’re welcoming family for the first time in your new home or have been the go-to host for years, a little planning and organization can make sure your holiday runs smoothly.

Here are a few home and kitchen tips to help you get ready for Thanksgiving, plus a few ideas that can add long-term value to your home!

🍽️ 1. Give Your Kitchen a Quick Tune-Up

Not only is the kitchen the heart of your home, it's the heart of Thanksgiving! Small improvements can make a BIG difference.

• Check your appliances early. Make sure your oven, stovetop, and dishwasher are in working order before the big day. (Now’s not the time to find out the oven light went out last year!)

• Upgrade your storage game. Add pull-out shelves or clear bins to pantries so ingredients are easy to find. A tidy kitchen makes cooking (and cleanup!) a lot less stressful.

• Consider a mini makeover. If you’ve been dreaming about a kitchen update, even simple changes like new cabinet hardware, a fresh backsplash, or under-cabinet lighting can modernize your space in time for the holidays.

🧑‍🍳 2. Create Flow in Your Hosting Spaces

Think about how guests will move through your home: from the kitchen to the dining area to wherever people will gather after dinner.

• Rearrange for comfort. Pull furniture away from walls and create open pathways.

• Set up drink and snack stations. Keep people out of the kitchen while you’re cooking by designating a “help-yourself” beverage or appetizer area.

• Add cozy touches. A seasonal centerpiece, throw blankets, or fall-scented candles can make your home feel extra festive and warm.

🧺 3. Declutter Before You Decorate

Before you deck out your home in autumn décor, take a few minutes to clear counters, entryways, and common areas.

• Donate or store what you don’t use. A pre-holiday declutter not only makes your home more welcoming but sets you up for a smooth transition into the rest of the holiday season.

• Organize the entryway. Add extra hooks for coats, baskets for shoes, and a small mat for guests’ boots (especially helpful if the snow flies early in Wisconsin!)

🦃 4. Prep Like a Pro

• Make a cooking timeline. Write out what needs to go in the oven and when. Your future self will thank you.

• Stock up early. Grocery stores get hectic the week of Thanksgiving, so shop a week in advance for shelf-stable items.

• Get the table ready. Set out your dishes, linens, and serving ware the night before so you can focus on cooking (and relaxing) the day of.

🏡 5. Thinking Ahead?

If you’re realizing your space feels a little tight while hosting, or you’ve fallen in love with the idea of a bigger kitchen, open-concept layout, or more guest-friendly home, it might be the perfect time to start exploring your options.

The Holt Real Estate Team is here to help you find the home that fits your lifestyle, whether that means room for a growing family, a dream kitchen, or a perfect spot for next year’s Thanksgiving feast.  We'd love to hear from you: info@holtrealestateteam.com

🍂 From Our Table to Yours

We’re grateful for all of our wonderful clients, friends, and neighbors who make our Dane County community such a special place to call home. Wishing you a warm, joyful, and delicious Thanksgiving!

— The Holt Real Estate Team
Helping you feel at home in every season.