The Hosting Headache (And How to Cure It Before the Cranberry Sauce Sets)

October is here. You know what that means? We’re this close to Thanksgiving. And if you’re part of a family—or even a loosely-related group of humans who expect turkey—you already know what’s coming:

The annual argument over who’s hosting.

And if you’ve ever been “the house,” you know it’s not just about roasting a bird. Hosting is basically running a small event-planning business out of your dining room. The tables, the chairs, the flowers, the drinks, the groceries, the cleanup... not to mention the vibe control required when cousin Joe starts asking about politics over the mashed potatoes.

So let’s just say it:
Hosting is a gift. A real one. It’s time we started treating it that way.

What Guests Can Do (That’s Actually Helpful)

Bringing a side dish is nice, but it’s not the same as hosting 30+ people and trying to keep the sweet potatoes from burning while you find extra forks.
Want to be a great guest? Try this:

• Offer to chip in on costs (and actually mean it)
  

• Show up early to help set up
  

• Stay late to wash dishes or run garbage bags out
  

• Ask the host what they actually need (not just what you feel like bringing)
  

Because showing up with a pie is great. But showing up with support? That’s golden.

Hosting Without Losing Your Mind

If you’re the host this year, take a deep breath. You don’t have to do it all—and you’re allowed to speak up.

Here are some real-world ways to make it easier:

🔁 Rotate Hosts

Make a family pact to rotate each year. One year it’s your house, next year your sister’s. No burnout, no resentment, just fairness.

🤝 Team Up

One household handles the space, the other handles the food. Divide and conquer—like adults.

🍽 Book a Restaurant

Yes, really. A private room might cost a little more, but when you factor in groceries, décor, and hours of cleanup, it might be worth every penny. Bonus: no turkey smell in your curtains for a week.

📋 Potluck with Rules

Not “bring whatever.” Make a spreadsheet. Assign sides, drinks, desserts. No one needs five green bean casseroles (again).

🦃 Cater the Main Event

Order the turkey and a few sides from a local restaurant or market. Hosting doesn’t have to mean kitchen warfare.

🧼 Hire Cleanup Help

Hire someone just for cleanup. If you split the cost among everyone, it’s surprisingly doable—and your sink stays sane.

✂️ Trim the Guest List

Radical idea: You don’t have to invite every Thanksgiving orphan this year. Smaller table = bigger connection. And more stuffing for you.

🧺 Go Casual

Paper plates. Buffet-style. Eat outside if the weather plays nice. Less formality, more fun.

The Bottom Line

Thanksgiving should not feel like a punishment for whoever has the biggest dining room.

The goal isn’t perfect table settings or magazine-worthy centerpieces. It’s people. It’s laughter. It’s overcooked turkey and underbaked rolls and the stories you’ll retell for years.

No one remembers the floral arrangement.
They remember how they felt.

Let that be the thing you plan around this year.

Listen to the talk:

  Originally aired on 09/26/25 for WGN Radio 720.