With Thanksgiving just weeks away, homeowners can never be short of tips and helpful suggestions for those little set backs that come with travel or hosting for the holiday. One of the easiest ways to make sure all cheerful efforts go according to plan is to sit down and make up a schedule for the event. Ensuring all relatives know when to get there is one thing, but hosts also need to ensure they know when to start their food preparation, put out the dishes, and so on, to make sure nothing gets derailed.

Simple Tips
The process of shopping for a feast can be difficult. It’s not easy to balance catering to various dietary needs and remain within budget. Sitting down and figuring out exactly what to buy in advance for your menu will help avoid overspending and purchasing unnecessary traditional Thanksgiving food staples.

Hosts should also be open to the idea of not having to go it alone. Asking friends or family to bring a dish or two – even something as simple as snacks for before or after the main course can reduce stress and shopping time.

In addition, it’s okay to ask for help when it comes to setting up the dining room table and washing dishes. Guests are usually more than happy to lend a helping hand.

Take it Easy When Traveling
No matter what time of year, taking a long road trip or heading to the airport can be trying. With millions of Americans doing the same thing at this time of year amps up that stress factor. Perhaps consider traveling during off peak times. Taking an extra day to make the trip out or back is a great way to avoid traffic jams, long lines at airport security, and the general ups and downs of travel. 

The more preparation anyone puts into the holiday season, the better off they will be allowing them to remain calm, cool and collected when issues inevitably arise. A big part of enjoying Thanksgiving is to accept that issues will arise, have a plan in place and remember what this holiday is truly all about – a time to connect with the ones that matter the most.

Brought to you by HMS Home Warranty.  HMS is an industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers. To learn more click www.hmsnational.com.