Thanksgiving Dinner Is Served! Essential Hosting Tips for Renters
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, you’re probably starting to make your holiday plans. And if those plans include hosting the big meal at your apartment, you might also be panicking about how you’re going to accommodate everyone. But don’t worry—just a few of these small tweaks will get your apartment ready for the crowd.
Stash your superfluous stuff. Extra clutter will always make your space look smaller, but it can actually become a physical barrier to your guests’ comfort in this case. Clear out the pieces of furniture that serve no functional purpose and stow them in the bedroom or office, and get rid of any knick-knacks or decor that are taking up what could be valuable space for food and drinks.
Find some extra seating. Unless you really want to mix things up with a cocktail-style dinner, you’re going to need enough seating for everyone on your guest list. But it doesn’t all necessarily have to be at the dining room table. Keep things casual and invite guests to take their plates to the living room, where they can get comfy on the couch, or set up some extra folding chairs wherever you have space.
Create a more modest menu. It’s probably tempting to go all out with the menu the first time you’re hosting Thanksgiving, but if you fight that urge, you’ll be happy you did. When you’re working with a smaller kitchen and less serving space, a full-sized Thanksgiving turkey might not be your best option. Instead, opt for a smaller main dish—maybe even chicken or a turkey breast—and keep the sides simple. Consider cutting casserole recipes in half to free up space in your fridge and on the table.
Invite your guests to pitch in. Or better yet, let your family and friends do some of the work. Chances are people will be clamoring to help out by bringing their own dish, so let them! Invite dinner guests to take care of the appetizers, salads, sides, and desserts, and then you can really pay attention to making the main dishes and the setting perfect.
How to Host Thanksgiving in a Small Space [Williams-Sonoma]
How to Host Thanksgiving in a Small Space [The Good Stuff]
How to Host a Huge Thanksgiving in a Small Space [Realtor.com]
Pore Over the Inventive Cocktail List at Dos Mamis
Open since July, Dos Mamis has been capturing hearts and taste buds with every meal served. The women entrepreneurs who started Dos Mamis have extensive experience in the restaurant industry and you can tell by the sophisticated menu and incredible ambiance they have put together! The restaurant is a self-proclaimed wine garden and cocktail bar, which you feel the moment you walk in with all the bright colors and lush greenery.
The menu definitely focuses more on the libations with a great selection of wine and hand-crafted cocktails with truly unique flavors. The food menu serves up nibbles like mini-empanadas, smoked salmon jerky, soft serve (topped with sherry, of course.) and charcuterie plates.
They serve up happy hour daily from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with discounts on cheese plates and some house drinks, as well as “bottoms up” from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekends where you can grab half-price bottles of wine! Salud!
Read More
Save the Date for the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade on Nov. 23
Silver Spring residents know that the weekend before Thanksgiving is when the holiday fun begins, thanks to the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade. Starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 23 and moving down Ellsworth Drive onto Georgia Avenue, the parade features live music from area marching bands, festive holiday floats, giant balloon characters, and Bolivian dancing groups, before Santa brings up the rear and ushers in the December holiday season. Want to get a front row seat? Plan to arrive early to stake out your spot along the parade route, and if you want to get an even closer view of the parade floats, consider signing up to be a volunteer (event organizers are looking for folks to help as inflatable balloon handlers).
Prefer to see the parade while staying warm and cozy inside your apartment? The parade will be broadcast live on News Channel 8 (and if you miss it on the 23rd, you can tune in for a rebroadcast on Thanksgiving day).