The Halloween decorations are down, and now it’s time for your thoughts to turn from ghosts to turkey. Planning a Thanksgiving meal can be overwhelming, even for veteran hosts. Marians Catering, Wahiawa, HI’s beloved local caterer, offers expert advice on staying calm while hosting one of the biggest holidays of the year.

Here are some expert tips from this Oahu catering company on making this Thanksgiving holiday as stress-free as possible:

• Plan Ahead: Don’t wait until the last minute to plan all of the details. Once you decide on the menu, you can make a list of all of the ingredients, cooking equipment, and serving platters you’ll require. Not having to scramble in the days leading up to Thanksgiving will alleviate your stress. You can even set the table the evening before.
• Occupy The Kids: It can be difficult to entertain with a lot of little cooks in the kitchen. Lining up some kid-friendly activities such as a hands-on craft or a game of pin the tail on the turkey can keep your smaller guests busy on the day of Thanksgiving. Bigger kids can pitch in by filling water glasses and serving food.
• Don’t Go It Alone: Avoid feeling compelled to do everything on your own. If you are cooking, stick with a few recipes you love and are comfortable with, and then ask guests to bring other side dishes or hire a caterer for the rest. For the ultimate, stress-free holiday, focus on the décor and cocktails and let a professional catering business provide the food.

Marians Catering has specialized in lunch and party catering for more than 60 years and can help tailor a Thanksgiving menu to meet your expectations and needs. Let these professional caters help you enjoy a delicious and stress-free holiday. For assistance in planning your Thanksgiving meal, call (808) 621-6758 or visit their website for more information.