Are you stressed about entertaining in your small space? Here are the Top #7 Tips for How to Host Thanksgiving in a Tiny Space.
Maybe you live in a studio apartment, or your small home, or possibly you live in a tiny house?
Those small spaces can be challenging (and maybe stressful) to entertain in.
Space is already limited, and now you are planning to have people over for Thanksgiving.
(what were you thinking! – haha)
Fear not!
You can host a wonderful Thanksgiving in a small space. It just takes a little more creativity and planning.
You just need to remember that Thanksgiving is about being with friends and family. It’s not a lavish affair.
Most Thanksgiving meals are casual.
Perfect for hosting in a tiny apartment or home.
So, what do you need to consider when planning to host Thanksgiving in a small space?
Here are the Top #7 Tips for How to Host Thanksgiving in a Tiny Space
#1 Make it simple!
Simplicity is key for entertaining in a small space.
In fact, going crazy with decorations and an abundance of food will make your tiny area feel even smaller.
And can be super stressful!
So plan for simplicity: a simple meal – simple Thanksgiving decor – smaller guest list.
#2 Be creative when hosting Thanksgiving in a tiny space
Don’t worry about sitting everyone together around a table. If you live in a tiny space, take advantage of your whole living area.
Create seating areas in your living room. Make it fun and put cushions on the floor. Then cover your coffee table with placemats, a tablecloth, or a scarf and use it to dine on.
Find spaces where you can seat at least three people relatively comfortably.
But not in separate rooms where they can’t see or talk to each other. If the rooms are adjacent, you can have two or more tables, just don’t seat someone at the adjoining ends. That will unconsciously close off the space, and people won’t connect with those that are in the other eating areas.
If you are able to create a continuous eating area (no matter if it is L, T, or S-shaped), that is ideal. People prefer to feel that they are all at the same table.
Think about where the food will go. Will there be space on the table(s)? Do you have an island that can be used as a buffet table? Is your space so small that you will need to use end tables? If so, group similar foods in the same areas: all desserts in one space, all sides in one area – you get the picture.
It might sound weird, but your guests will get a kick out of it. And they really won’t care. Plus, it makes for fun conversations!
#3 Space is at a premium in a tiny home. Ask people to contribute.
When hosting Thanksgiving in a tiny space, you probably don’t have enough chairs, tables, or space to store the food.
So ask your guest to contribute. I’m sure they are more than happy to help.
Food
Plan your Thanksgiving meal to be a buffet and ask your guests to bring specific food dishes. Plan the meal and decide what you will provide, then request the additional dishes you would like your guests to contribute. Don’t let them decide on the dish (you might end up with 3 green bean casseroles!). Either assign the food dishes or create an Evite where your guests select from a list of food dishes you have identified for your Thanksgiving Day meal.
Seating
Small spaces rarely have enough place for everyone to sit. So ask your guests to bring additional seating. See if anyone has folding chairs they can bring, or maybe some large cushions to sit on.
Also, check if someone has a small folding table that you can set up and connect to your kitchen table.
#4 Keep the Thanksgiving Day table decor to a minimum
When hosting in a small space, keep the table decor to a minimum. Don’t put a large Thanksgiving floral centerpiece in the middle of the table. That’s valuable real estate!
Instead, have one or two small skinny vases with a few flowers that don’t take up much space.
Or, find festive Thanksgiving table settings pieces for your table.
A tablecloth with a fab pattern will set the mood, without needing any additional table decor.
Thanksgiving napkin rings are also a great way to add decor to your table, and they won’t take up any space.
Even better: make a simple place card that your guests can bring home with them after your meal. Something that you won’t need to store in your small apartment, and is a little memento for them. A great win-win!
Another option to decorate your small space for Thanksgiving is to put the decor on the wall.
Find or diy a cute wreath. Or add a festive banner overhead.
#5 Prep ahead of time when hosting in a tiny space
The one thing with Thanksgiving Day meals is All-the-Food!
Whether you are providing all the food, or if your guests are bringing dishes, there is always a lot of it!!
So, prep ahead of time.
Clean out your fridge and make room for the large turkey or ham.
Make any dishes a day (or two) before Thanksgiving that can be refrigerated.
Make sure your dishwasher (if you have one) is empty, so you can easily load it up after your meal is over.
And (this is very important) set your table (or eating area) the night before.
Thanksgiving day can be super stressful with planning to have everything ready on time.
Setting your table the night before will give you a sense of accomplishment, and it will put you in the mood the next morning: Thanksgiving Day. Plus, you will have one less thing to think about.
# 6 Consider using disposable dishes
I’m not one to typically suggest using paper plates and cutlery, but when you are entertaining in a small space, it warrants it.
You probably don’t have a dishwasher in your tiny apartment. Or if you do, it’s a small one.
And seeing a sky-high pile of dirty dishes taking up all your itty-bitty counter space can be seriously defeating.
So get some nice and sturdy disposable dishes and cutlery – make sure your trash can is empty – and limit the clean-up.
Listed below are some really nice sets on Amazon.
#7 When hosting Thanksgiving in a tiny space – send leftovers home
When you live in a small space – space is at a premium. And that includes your fridge. Plus, there is usually A LOT of leftovers. So, be prepared with extra food storage containers and bags.
Send that leftover food home with your guests.
It’s a win-win for you and them. Less for you, and they will appreciate the leftovers.
As you can see, when you use these tips for how to host Thanksgiving in a tiny space, it’s very doable.
Don’t be afraid, just do it (I know you can), and enjoy the company of your friends and family!
Also, take a look and download the ultimate last-minute Thanksgiving day checklist! That way you don’t forget anything!!
Cover photo by Jed Owen on Unsplash
