One of the most delicious and yet relaxing times of the year is Thanksgiving. Eating homemade meals, watching football, and playing games is just the perfect memory that is needed right before the start of the New Year.
However, if you are hosting this event you may feel overwhelmed. You may get too far in thought about the process that it takes to prep food, cook dishes, and prepare events for the entire family to enjoy. It is also possible that you have to rearrange decor or add more decor to get guests in the spirit of giving thanks and this can be overwhelming as well. Let’s not forget we are all still battling an uphill battle with COVID-19 protocols and may need some advice from one hostess to another on ways we can Host a Black Thanksgiving. Below are just a few ways we can tweak our hosting abilities and prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday in the 21st century with advice from Private Chef Barbie; Camilla Okoye, Southern Mom Annie McCullough, and Georgia mom of two, Zapporiah Taylor.
Black Thanksgiving Traditions: How to Host Thanksgiving with Black Heritage in Mind
- Get Everyone Involved
A Black Southern Belle from Lamar, South Carolina understands that a Thanksgiving feast can not be done quickly and effectively by just one person. “Even though I feel that I am a great cook of all dishes, there are dishes in my family that each of them make well, so why shouldn’t I encourage them to bring their famous items.” Annie McCullough, a mother of two, sees that in order to host a Black Thanksgiving everyone should be involved and these are steps you should take too. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Check to see who can assist and ask them to.
- Prepare Ahead
Chef Barbie, Camilla Okoye has a tight schedule during the holidays and as a private chef, she often has to plan, prepare, and pack orders simultaneously. “While I’m cooking for clients, I’m also prepping my own Thanksgiving dinner. I start cooking 2 days prior for certain dishes.” This just proves that the more prepared you are the better your Thanksgiving will flow. We all have a busy schedule during the holiday season and this means that we may need to plan out what is required to be the best hostess we can be. Private Chef Camilla Okoye of the DMV knows that Thanksgiving is always a busy time of the year so she says to be a “super host.” Plan it out and make it happen.
- Where is Grandma’s Recipe?
What is Thanksgiving without recipes from the best cook in the family, Grandma? In Southern culture Grandma’s recipe is normally passed down to the family members that can keep the tradition alive and Zapporiah, a mom of two from Decatur, Georgia, agrees. She mentioned that “no Thanksgiving is complete without those signature and secretive recipes from Grandma.” As a Black Southern Belle myself, I advise you to ask for those famous recipes in order to keep the tradition of your family. Instead of reinventing the wheel, use what has already brought joy to your family and host your Thanksgiving holiday. Work smarter, not harder!
We all have different ways in which we conduct our Black Thanksgiving. Instead of sticking to the normal Thanksgiving Day rituals, we oftentimes think about things farther ahead. We plan accordingly and attempt to feed those who may not have a specific place to hang for the holidays. We think about others before ourselves and ensure that everyone around us feels cared for and knows that we are thankful for them. In order to have a successful Black Southern Thanksgiving follow these tips from self-proclaimed Black Southern Belles.
Comments
