Turkey Day is around the corner, which means it’s time to prepare to host your annual Thanksgiving dinner. Although the day can make for good memories, it can be extremely stressful too. Whether this is your first time to host Thanksgiving or your seasoned expert, here is a pro tip – plan ahead! A well-planned meal complete with holiday décor is the key ingredient to help reduce those stressful moments during the holidays. Below, you’ll find tips to help you plan the perfect Thanksgiving meal, from setting the table to delicious Thanksgiving recipes. 

Set the Mood with Thanksgiving Décor

Setting the mood for your holiday get together is just as important as cooking the meal. Thanksgiving decorations should not be overlooked, and we are here to give a helping hand. These tips are easy, cost-effective and stylish.

• For a warm greeting, decorate your front entrance with pumpkins and a garland with autumn leaves around your door.
• Pick out an effortless table runner and decorate with copper and brass accents. You can set the mood even more by adding leaves and fresh pears.
• If you have a side table, add a gratitude tree to it by placing tree limb branches in a tall vase. Family and friends can add what they are grateful for on colorful paper and attach it to the branches.

Tasty Thanksgiving Recipes

Just like turkey, no Thanksgiving meal is complete without potatoes, stuffing and an apple flavored dessert. We have searched far and wide for the best alternatives to your favorite Thanksgiving recipes. We’re confident your friends and family will be raving about these recipes for months to come. If you decide to try one, we would love to see it! Take a picture and share it to social media with the hashtag #FeastingWithHD. You’ll thank us later!

Baked Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese and Bread Crumbs

Turkey is not complete without a side of mashed potatoes. This delicious mix includes parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Can anyone say yum? This recipe is courtesy of the Food Network.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter and set aside.
2. Cook the potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water until they are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain; return the potatoes to the same pot and mash well. Mix in the milk and melted butter. Mix in the mozzarella and 3/4 cup of the Parmesan. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer the potatoes to the prepared baking dish. Stir the bread crumbs and remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the mashed potatoes. Recipe can be prepared up to this point 6 hours ahead of time; cover and chill.
3. Bake, uncovered, until the topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Crescent Roll Stuffing

Stuffing is a staple to any Thanksgiving dinner, and so are sweet, fluffy crescent rolls. This recipe includes both as well as sausage and veggies. You’ll be wondering why you haven’t discovered this sooner. This recipe is Courtesy of Delish.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. pork sausage, casings removed
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1/4 c. minced fresh sage leaves
• 1/4 c. minced fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tubes Crescent Rolls
• 1/2 c. chicken stock
• 1 egg, lightly whisked

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet until browned all over, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain fat and clean skillet.
3. Return skillet to stovetop over medium heat. Melt butter then add onion, carrots and celery. Stir in fresh herbs and return sausage to the skillet. Season mixture with salt and pepper. Remove skillet from heat to let mixture cool slightly.
4. Meanwhile, cut crescent roll triangles into thirds then roll each piece into a bowl. In a large bowl, combine crescent roll balls with sausage mixture, egg and chicken stock. Transfer to a medium casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is golden brown, and all the dough is cooked through. If the topping is browning too quickly, cover the dish with foil.

Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

Fill your kitchen with the flavors of fall. This apple crisp recipe will be the perfect sweet ending to your Thanksgiving feast. Apples seem to be one of the few foods that everyone agrees on – especially when they’re baked to golden perfection. This recipe is Courtesy of The Chunky Chef.

Ingredients:

• 6 golden delicious apples, peeled and chopped (other varieties can be used, can also be sliced)
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, diced into small cubes
• pinch of kosher salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.  Butter an 8x8 baking dish, or spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, add chopped apples, granulated sugar, 3/4 tsp of the cinnamon and lemon juice.  Stir to combine, then transfer to prepared baking dish.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, add topping ingredients (brown sugar, oats, flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, salt, and diced cold butter).  Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture, using a slight downward twisting motion, until mixture resembled pea-sized crumbs.  Alternatively, you can use two forks or even your hands to cut butter into the mixture.
4. Spread topping over apples in baking dish, and gently pat to even it out.  Bake 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

Now, that your ready to plan the perfect Thanksgiving meal, take some time to enjoy yourself, focus on spending time with family, set your tv for the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade and get out your tennis shoes for all those Black Friday deals! Happy Thanksgiving from the Harris