How Do You Downsize: Thanksgiving

Are you the one who prepares and serves Thanksgiving dinner? For those who love to cook, preparing a celebratory meal for family and friends can be a rewarding experience. If you have ever entertained on a large scale, or prepared big meals for a crowd even once a year, you probably have some specialty equipment and service pieces in your entertaining inventory. 

If you’re downsizing, the holidays can be the perfect time to enjoy your favorite things and let go of items no longer needed.  Use your time in the kitchen this year to take inventory of your kitchen and entertaining supplies with an eye toward downsizing and moving. 

Let Go of Leftovers

If you have the time, pull out your serving dishes and prep items the week before Thanksgiving to save yourself the headache of locating those items when the big day arrives.  Once that’s done, take a peek at all of the unused pieces left in your cabinets when all of your best and most used items are out? Is there anything that can be donated or otherwise re-homed?

Play Favorites

Of course, this advice goes for any genre of equipment in the house, but if you plan to downsize soon, now is a good time to take a hard look at how many colanders, potato mashers, tiny little saucepans, and glass mixing bowls you have.  Pick your favorite and most necessary ones to use during your cooking and entertaining this season, and set aside the rest for donation. 

Say No to Old Spices

When was the last time you organized your spice cabinet? Take a few minutes to find everything you’ll need for Thanksgiving and toss any spices you haven’t used in the past year or two. Chefs say anything older than that has lost its flavor—so do yourself a favor, grab some fresh poultry seasoning, and finally ditch that crusty dried sage from 2014.

Share the Love (and the Stuff)

Once you’ve decided to part with some of your “big meal” serving dishes or storage containers, put them to good use on Thanksgiving night! Use unneeded serving or storage pieces to send leftovers home with guests—along with any extra cans of pumpkin or cranberry relish you don’t plan to take with you when you move.

Most importantly, be sure take plenty of photos of you, your family and friends, and your favorite dishes served in your favorite platters, bowls, and baskets!  The memories of your Thanksgiving traditions can be enjoyed going forward (no cooking or cleaning required)

And of course, no matter what you’re doing, we hope you have a very enjoyable Thanksgiving!