A Guide to Choosing a Thanksgiving Guest List

Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for what you have; not wishing feuding friends and family would disappear. Inviting guests to your Thanksgiving dinner or party is task that shouldn't be taken lightly. The difference between enjoying Thanksgiving and praying for the day to end could very well hinge on your guest list choices.

~Stay Informed

Stay in contact with anyone you want to invite. Know who likes whom and the latest arguments. Also, know which problems are serious and which can put aside for the day. For instance, inviting divorcees that still hate each other isn't going to make Thanksgiving pleasant for anyone. However, a parent and their teen can put aside their differences for Thanksgiving.

~Space

It's pointless to invite twenty people over for dinner when you only have space for ten. Cramming people at the table makes everyone uncomfortable. If you don't have the space, don't invite. This should be one of your biggest considerations when deciding how many guests to invite.

Your dinner table isn't the only space consideration. You will also need to have space to entertain before and after dinner. Once again, a loveseat and a chair will only seat so many. Your guests want to feel special, not be left sitting on the floor.

~The Initial List

Make a list of the people who must invite first. This usually includes your household and immediate family. After these, you can start adding other family members, friends, and even co-workers.

Make the list in order of importance. If anyone has other plans, you will be able to quickly decide who to invite next. It's also a good idea to shred and dispose of the list before any guests arrive to avoid any unpleasant questions about why one name is above another.

~The Final Cut

Call the first group of people on your list. This group is made up the absolute musts. See if anyone can't attend. Once you've determined who can or can't attend, continue with each name on the list until you've filled your space maximum. Try to call potential guests at least two weeks in advance. Even if they don't know their plans yet, they can at least be considering your invite. To prevent empty places at the table, ask guests to please confirm several days before Thanksgiving.

Don't make the mistake of carelessly putting your guest list together. To ensure a peaceful, enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner or party, spend a few hours to truly think about the best possible combination of guests.