5 Things You Need to Have at Thanksgiving Dinner This Year
After years of hosting Thanksgiving at your house, you are finally off the hook. Don't get us wrong, we love planning Thanksgiving dinners more than the average folk, but every now and then it is nice to be the guest and not the host. This year, someone else can stress about making the perfect turkey and the not burning the pumpkin pie - all you need to do is show up, right?
RELATED: 10 Most Memorable Thanksgiving Scenes in Movies
Well, not exactly. While you may be eager to pass the buck this holiday, if you ever received any help over the years, you know how appreciated it was. Manners dictate that no matter how much the host insists, you should never show up to a holiday empty-handed. After all, this new host is taking a huge weight off your shoulders. The least you can do is bring something useful.
"Useful" can be an ambiguous term. Of course you can always bring a dish, but most likely since your host has been planning this meal for quite some time, they have the food covered. Everyone does dessert, but who needs another pumpkin pie? And after a while, even wine and flowers seem trite.
RELATED: 10 Tips for Bringing a Date to Thanksgiving Dinner
The good news is you probably have more useful Thanksgiving items in your house than you realize. Just think, wouldn't it have been great if someone just brought a game for the kids to play or a football for your uncles to toss? As you get ready to relax this year, think about bringing some of these useful items to Thanksgiving dinner.
1) A Great Playlist
Music can always set the tone for a great time. Before you leave the house, download a few playlists appropriate for the different phases of dinner. You could be a huge help to the host in making sure the mood is just right for the meal!
Click here to see A Great Thanksgiving Playlist for Adults
2) Chocolates
Who doesn't absolutely adore chocolates? Your host is going to get a ton of pies and big-name desserts, so sometimes bringing something small, flavorful, and decadent is a nice treat after a huge feast.
3) A Football
Grumbling stomachs can easy be distracted with the help of a fun activity. Send the hungry masses outside to toss around a football. Not only will the extra activity help them feel a little better about the big meal they are about to consume, but your host will be happy to have eager fingers out of their way!
4) Hostess Gift
After slaving away all day at the stove, you wouldn't believe how much a kind gesture is appreciated. Instead of bringing something related to the dinner, think outside the box and get a pampering present for your host for working so hard on a fabulous meal.
Click Here to See Some Tips and Ideas for Hostess Gifts
5) Movies
After the turkey has settled and the cleanup is done, the host really won't have much energy to do anything. Why not bring by a classic Thanksgiving flick or even a Christmas movie to help kick off the new holiday season?
Click Here to see More Things You Should Have at Your Thanksgiving Dinner
-Lauren Gordon, The Daily Meal
