Not cooking this year? Maybe help the one who is! And nope, sitting on the couch and watching the parade doesn't count as helping. These are just some of the ways you can show how grateful you are for the bountiful feast and those who've worked hard to shop, prep and cook.
- Clean the house - Give the host one less thing to add to their to-do list by tidying up the house for them. And don’t forget to get the kids and teens to lend a hand with this chore.
- Decorate - Hang a festive wreath on the door, set up the table display with fall leaves and gourds and light some candles to add to the ambiance.
- Do the shopping - You don’t have to be a skilled chef to do the grocery shopping for the Turkey Day feast. Have the cook give you a very detailed shopping list and get everything needed for the meal so they don’t have to.
- Set the table - Whether it’s a casual look or something more formal, setting the table is another way to be a big help.
- Entertain the kids - Come up with some games and crafts to keep the kiddos entertained and out of the kitchen.
- Do drink duty - Make sure there’s something for everyone, including the one slaving over a hot stove. Open a bottle of wine, serve a holiday cocktail, sparkling cider, soda or juice for the kids.
- Take photos - Capture the food, the family and snap some candid shots of all the holiday action.
- Play taxi - If guests are coming in from out of town, save your host a trip to the airport and volunteer to pick them up.
- Help with food prep - If you can use a knife and a potato peeler, you’ve got the skills needed for this task.
- Do the dishes - After cooking the turkey dinner, the last thing the cook wants to do is clean up. And that’s where you can step in to do dishes, pack up leftovers and clear the table.