If you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends this year, advanced planning is a must. Don't let a long Thanksgiving to-do list overwhelm you at the last minute; here are some things to do this week to keep your to-do list under control.
--Look for sales at the grocery store and stock up on staple items like paper products and decorations. Purchase some inexpensive toys for the kids in your family (there are some great deals on toys at the dollar store!) to help calm the commotion on Thanksgiving Day.
--Assess all your cooking and serving equipment. Do you have enough serving spoons, bowls, pot holders, trivets, etc.? Buy or borrow what you'll need on Thanksgiving Day.
--Create your menu, make a master grocery listand print it out. Keep in mind the amount of cooking surfaces that you have and cooking times when planning your menu. Plan a few dishes that can be made ahead of time. If any of your guests are bringing food, double check or assign food dishes during the next step.
--Create your guest list for Thanksgiving dinner. Check with your invitees to find out if they are bringing guests with them and what food (if any) that everyone is bringing.
--Survey your home for any needed minor repairs.
--If you'll be having overnight guests during Thanksgiving, inspect your guest room and other guest accommodations to make sure you have enough pillows, blankets, etc.
--Clean your house from top to bottom. Wash the serving platters, china and polish the silver. Buy a few live holiday plants and give your houseplants a little TLC.
--If you plan to have any food catered or prepared elsewhere for pick-up, place your orders this week.--Pull out and inspect all linens and guest towels that will be in use on Thanksgiving. Launder, press or dry clean if needed.
--Prepare any food that can be frozen.
--Sharpen all knives. Purge the refrigerator. Place a new bag in the vacuum cleaner and charge the battery on the hand vacuum. Keep your home de-cluttered.
--Stock up the beverages you'll be serving and select the music you'll be playing.
--Purchase inexpensive plastic food containers for leftover food or for your guests to take food home in.
What's New At Enhance
Recent arrivals in the Design Center include these great new looks:
~~Armstrong laminate Architectural Remnants. These great looking styles duplicate expensive reclaimed hardwood floors. Some of our favorites are Sawmill Oak, Textured Timbers, and Milk Paint.
~~Tonal carpets from Mohawk. Not everyone likes strongly flecked carpets; these new selections feature a blend of closely related color tones and shades for a subtle look that is not bland or boring.
~~New hardwood floor styles from Palmetto Road and CFS. Choose from unique looks like French bleeds, "tiger" strand woven bamboo, and handscraped birch. And the best part of these new products are the prices--- these are great values!
~~Lexmark has just introduced two new striated "loop-cut-loop" styles. We think these subtle patterns are going to be the next big thing in patterned carpets.
~~A backsplash is an easy update to have completed before the holidays. Be sure to take a look at the new porcelain tile Charbonneau by Mohawk. It comes in a 4" x 8" subway tile with a natural stone visual. You will love the old world Tuscan styling of this beautiful tile.
