Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to unite and create cherished memories. But hosting can be overwhelming. The to-do list keeps growing, including planning the menu, shopping for ingredients, cleaning the house, decorating, cooking the food, entertaining guests, and ensuring everyone feels welcome at the get-together. On top of that, you have to make sure that everything is ready on time. Doing everything on your own can be pretty stressful.

Yet, hiring a reputable Chicago maid service or Chicago house cleaning services before Thanksgiving can make things go much easier. It will help you outsource tasks and enjoy the holiday without all the pressure. In doing so, you should check the Cleaning services Chicago prices and book in advance so that you can focus on spending quality time with your guests without all the added pressure.

Let's get deeper into this guide and show you how to outsource everything and accomplish all of this without leaving your home. We'll also discover how to make your Thanksgiving seamless and stress-free.

Why Hosting Thanksgiving Can Be Stressful?

Thanksgiving needs planning and organization to prepare the house for guests and enjoyment. Things that may be stressful during Thanksgiving are:

  • Menu Planning and Cooking: You would have to plan a good variety of meals to please the guests' taste buds and dietary requirements.
  • Shopping Ingredients: You have to shop for a large list of ingredients from different stores, which might take a lot of time.
  • Cleaning: You also need to clean, besides other things you have to do in order to prepare everything perfectly for your guests.
  • Entertaining Guests: You have to ensure that the food is prepped on time and the sides and drinks are served right so that you can keep your guests happy and comfortable.

How to Host a Relaxed Thanksgiving at Home?

Plan and organize everything in advance so that guests have a relaxed atmosphere at your place. Consider the following to host a stress-free Thanksgiving at your home:

1) Shop for Essential Ingredients and Plan Your Thanksgiving Meals

The most stressful part of Thanksgiving preparations is shopping for ingredients, as there is a list of several dishes one has to prepare. It will often overwhelm you, but an emphasis on the simplest ingredients will ensure that your Thanksgiving feast succeeds without last-minute panic.

Must-Have Meals To Include in Thanksgiving Menu

To stay organized and ensure you've got everything you need for a successful holiday meal, include:

Turkey 

A Thanksgiving would not be complete without a turkey, and that could be prepared in many ways: roasted, grilled, smoked, and deep-fried. Better still, order the turkey ahead, as frozen turkeys take one or two days to thaw in the fridge prior to roasting.

Cooking Options:

  • Roast it in the oven for a classic preparation.
  • Grill it for a smoky flavor.
  • Smoke it for that delicious, slow-cooked taste.
  • Deep fry it for crispy skin
Try Our Favorite Recipes
Need it Delivered?
Stuffing (or Dressing) 

You can use the Stovetop Stuffing or make your own from scratch, depending on how much time you want to spend on it. If you want to make your own, you will require the following: bread, unsalted butter, onions, celery, garlic, fresh herbs such as sage, rosemary thyme, broth eggs.

Stuffing Recipes
Mashed Potatoes

You can just use instant mashed potatoes, but really fresh is to use Russet, Idaho, or Yukon Gold potatoes. Serve with butter, heavy cream, sour cream, and a little salt.

Mashed Potatoes Recipes
Gravy 

Making gravy from scratch is intimidating, but it really isn't, as you only need three ingredients: butter, flour, and chicken or beef broth. If you want to skip the step, you can always just use a packet of McCormick's gravy mix, which will still deliver a delicious result for your guests.

Gravy Recipes
Cranberry Sauce

Always grab a can of the classic homemade cranberry sauce made from fresh cranberries, sugar, and orange juice- this is an easy and delicious option.

Cranberry Sauce Recipes
Green Bean Casserole

You can buy it from the frozen version or make your own. Then you will need fresh, canned, or frozen green beans, cream of mushroom soup, soy sauce, milk, and French's French Fried Onions.

Green Bean Casserole Recipes
Pumpkin Pie

You could either make your own pie crust or get one from the store. For your filling, you might use canned pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, and spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, maybe, for your topping, whipped cream, or scoop vanilla ice cream to just indulge in the taste.

Pumpkin Pie Recipes

Include Additional Sides and Dishes to Diversify Your Spread

Add a few extra sides to your menu to take your meal to the next level. These sides complement the classics and offer something for everyone.

1) Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is one of the best; it's sure to delight any crowd, whether you use the ease of boxed Kraft or your good old homemade version. Most people love mac and cheese. Both will require butter and milk, but for the homemade version, you will need elbow macaroni, flour, salt, black pepper, half-and-half, cheese, and breadcrumbs to get that great crispy top.

Mac and Cheese Recipes
2) Sweet Potatoes

There are countless ways you can cook sweet potatoes, but no matter what, they all demand readily available brown sugar and butter to flavor. Adding marshmallows on top of this casserole will make sure it looks funny but sweet and gets you back to a happy childhood memory.

Recipes
3) Chicken Nuggets

Thanksgiving can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to young kids who are not necessarily excited about every traditional dish, so chicken nuggets are a good, quick, and easy way to keep them happy (and some adults might enjoy them too, secretly). Just keep a few nuggets in the bag so everyone gets their snack.

4) Ethnic Twist

It is steeped in tradition, but why not use the holiday as the perfect moment to bring some new flavors into your repertoire? Add that personal touch to the meal with dishes from your heritage or cultural background.

Let Delivery Services Simplify Your Thanksgiving Prep

There is no need to stress out, running to the store to pick up Thanksgiving essentials. Go through all these convenient services that get everything delivered straight to your door:

  • Postmates & Uber Eats: Want or perhaps already prepared meals? You can have everything about the Thanksgiving dinner right at your doorstep with popular food delivery apps like Postmates or Uber Eats.
  • Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Mercato: Place all your Thanksgiving orders at Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Mercato and get everything delivered to your doorstep.
  • Jewel-Osco: This grocery-store chain in the Chicago-based area will pick up online orders to deliver to your house for Thanksgiving.

Opt for Catering Options for a Stress-Free Meal

If cooking feels too much of a hassle, then just let someone else cater and make Thanksgiving effortless. Let someone else get ready for the meal, and you could enjoy a relaxing holiday. Here are some catering options to suit your tastes:

  • Classic Options: The Goddess, Grocer, and Wildfire have menu choices, and you can select whatever dishes suit your taste. Summer House Santa Monica, however, offers a set Thanksgiving menu. If you stay within the locale, you can order in advance and have it delivered. That saves the agony of cooking while still having a festive meal.
  • Non-Traditional Options: Enjoy BBQ treats offered at places like Green Street Meats and Twin Anchors or Bub City, as well as good old smoky meats and traditional sides. If you would want something with a little bit of Caribbean flair, go to Jerk Jamaican Barbecue or 90 Miles Cuban Café for some taste of the tropical spices and bold flavors that will surely impress your guests.
  • Chicago-Style Thanksgiving: Have a Chicago-style Thanksgiving dinner for a new, exciting twist on the holiday. Start with a couple of slices of deep-dish pizza from your local favorite, debating which is the best, toss some Italian beef from that nearby deli, and finish your dinner with Chicago-style hot dogs.

Serve Beverages Complementing your Spread

Thanksgiving is more about spending time together with loved ones, enjoying great celebrations with excellent food, and surviving to remember it for many years into the future. However, the drinks play an important role in setting the mood.

Here are some beverage ideas to pair perfectly with your feast:

Beer
  • Local: Enhance your celebration with local Chicago brews like Goose Island or Revolution. These popular beers are widely available and add a hometown touch to your holiday spread.
  • Seasonal: For those who enjoy the flavors of fall, pumpkin beers, and Oktoberfest brews are always a hit during Thanksgiving. Even though Oktoberfest is technically over, these malty, flavorful beers still fit the autumn vibe perfectly.
  • Light: This is a good choice of lighter beers for the guests who want something refreshingly different to drink. These beers are thus easy to drink and excellent for pairing with a wide variety of foods.
  • Non-Alcoholic: Since Non-alcoholic beers are in high demand, it caters to every customer when you do offer options of brands like Guinness, Corona, or Heineken, which recently have developed excellent versions of alcohol-free beers.
Wine
  • White: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio is perfect for turkey with light sides. These wines are refreshing and complement the variety of flavors on the table.
  • Red: Pinot Noir or Merlot can be the best options for appealing to red wine lovers. It is medium-bodied with silky smooth tannins and tastes of fruit that complement the richness of Thanksgiving dishes.
Cocktails
  • Holiday Theme: A Big Punch Bowl of a signature cocktail will be a big hit with your guests. Now, something you can make for Thanksgiving is Fireball whiskey, apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, apricot brandy, and lemon-lime soda. For kids or non-drinkers, make the same drink with no alcohol. Remember to keep the alcohol one separate from the non-alcohol one!
  • Classics: Classics are always good; they give a very sophisticated feeling to the place. Old Fashioned must have bourbon, sugar, bitters, and an orange twist; Manhattan demands bourbon, bitters, sweet vermouth, and maraschino cherries. Some of the classics never go out of fashion.
Kids' Drinks
  • Eggnog: This creamy spiced drink is one of the holiday staples, always ready to delight kids and adults alike. Top with a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg for that authentic holiday cheer.
  • Pop and Juice: Get some sodas and fruit juices ready for the young, as well as those who enjoy a little sweetness of refreshment.
  • Apple Cider: It's one of those seasonal favorites that serves perfectly, either warm or chilled. It's a flavor for the coziest of autumn months and also a great non-alcoholic drink to get in the spirit.

2) Clean and Prep Your Home Beforehand

A clean, inviting space makes the holiday feel even more special. Here’s how you can prep your home for the big day.

Pre-Cleaning: Gather Your Supplies

Before you begin cleaning, make sure to collect all of your supplies. Here’s a list of essentials:

  • 5 Microfiber Cloths
  • 3 Spray Bottles
  • 1 Duster
  • 1 Chemical-Free General Cleaner (DI Water)
  • 1 All-Purpose Cleaner for Kitchen and Bathroom
  • 1 Disinfectant for High-Touch Areas
  • 1 Apron
  • 2 Agitation Tools (e.g., a toothbrush and plastic scraper)
  • 1 Broom
  • 1 Vacuum

Basic Cleaning Process

Clean your space efficiently by using the following techniques or methods:

  • Work in Circles: Start cleaning from outside each room and work your way in so you don’t miss any spots.
  • Top to Bottom: Always clean from the highest point in the room and work down. Dust, cobwebs, and dirt from above should fall to the floor, where you’ll clean them last.
  • Tackle Stains Early: For tough spots (like in the bathroom or kitchen), spray stains with your cleaner first or soak them before scrubbing to make the job easier.
  • Finish with the Floors: Vacuum and mop (if applicable) after cleaning everything else.

Cleaning Areas to Focus On

Focus on cleaning the key areas where guests will spend the most time. A little prep goes a long way in creating a welcoming environment. So, give extra attention to these essential spaces:

  • Family Room/Main Gathering Area: Start by vacuuming carpets and wiping down upholstery, which typically retains dust and crumbs in couch cushions and chairs. The same glass cleaner should be used to clean fingerprints and dust off tables, remotes, and TV screens. A quick vacuum of the floors caps a fresh and inviting living space.
  • Main Bathroom: Clean the toilet, sink, mirror, and tub or shower. Don't forget to vacuum and mop the floors and refresh any rugs that may have dirt or stains. Restock essentials such as toilet paper, hand soap, and clean towels to make your guests feel welcome.
  • Kitchen: Start with the oven and stove, as these will be used the most during meal prep. Wipe down countertops, cabinets, and any appliances like the microwave and fridge. Make sure your fridge is clean and organized, especially since it’ll be storing leftovers. Also, wash any special china, glassware, and utensils in advance to avoid last-minute dishwashing.
  • Dining Room: Wipe down the table and chairs to remove any dust or food particles. If you use a tablecloth, make sure it’s clean and wrinkle-free. Polish any furniture to give the room a nice, finished look.
  • Bedrooms: If you’re hosting overnight guests, it’s important to make sure their rooms are clean and comfortable. Dust dressers, desks, and nightstands, and wipe down windows and blinds. Freshen up the sheets and provide clean towels for each guest to make them feel at home.
  • Front Door/Porch: The front of your home is the first impression guests will have, so make sure it’s welcoming. Sweep away any leaves or debris on the porch, and wipe down the front door to keep things looking neat and tidy. 

Hire Professional Deep Cleaning Services Chicago to Prep Your Home

Consider hiring deep cleaning services in Chicago to ensure that you leave your home sparkling and ready for guests. Check Chicago house cleaning services reviews to find a reputable provider that fits your needs. For a chemical-free cleaning service that guarantees a fresh, clean home without any lingering chemical smells, Fresh Tech Maid, the best Chicago maid services, can take care of all your pre-Thanksgiving cleaning needs. Let the professionals handle the stress of cleaning so you can enjoy a relaxing holiday with family and friends.

Book your Pre-Thanksgiving cleaning today!

3) Set the Mood for Entertaining

Thanksgiving is all about spending time with loved ones. Here is how you can enjoy each other's company:

TV Viewing with Family

Thanksgiving is the perfect time for TV traditions. Start the day with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, featuring dazzling floats, giant balloons, and musical performances. It’s a fun, family-friendly event on NBC that sets the tone for the day. For animal lovers, the National Dog Show follows the parade, showcasing adorable dogs competing in various categories—another great NBC special.

Football

Sports fans can enjoy plenty of action with three NFL games broadcast throughout the day. Games are aired on FOX, CBS, and NBC, so be sure you’re set up with the right streaming services or cable login information to catch all the plays.

Thanksgiving Specials

Don’t forget about the classic Thanksgiving-themed TV episodes. Nostalgic sitcoms like Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and New Girl (available on Max, Hulu, or Peacock) have great holiday episodes. And of course, no Thanksgiving is complete without the heartwarming Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, available on Apple TV.

Board and Card Games

Bring the family together with classic games like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Sorry. For something newer, try Sequence or Mexican Train Dominoes. For adults, play Cards Against Humanity or Apples to Apples. For strategy lovers, Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Risk are perfect choices.

Video Games

The Nintendo Switch has something for everyone. Switch Sports is fun for all ages, while Minecraft sparks creativity for kids. Younger children will love the new Bluey game launching in November.

Outdoor Games

Take the fun outside with football, cornhole, or ladder golf. For something different, try Washers or Spikeball. If it's snowy, a snowball fight is always a classic!

4) Add a Personal Touch with Thanksgiving Crafts

From DIY table decorations to heartfelt homemade cards expressing gratitude, crafts' creativity and personal touch bring warmth and significance to holiday celebrations.

  • Turkey Hands: Have kids trace their hands on construction paper and decorate them as turkey feathers. Attach a turkey body and hang these personalized decorations around the house.
  • Pilgrim Hats: Use construction paper to create pilgrim hats, perfect for table centerpieces or fun accessories for kids.
  • DIY Wreaths: Use leaves, pinecones, and berries to create a festive wreath that will add a natural holiday touch to your home.
  • Pumpkin Decorations: Decorate, paint, or carve pumpkins in your Thanksgiving theme. This fun family activity gets everyone involved in the festive spirit.
  • Cinnamon Brooms: Bundle cinnamon sticks with twine to make cinnamon brooms. These look charming and fill your home with a warm, inviting scent.
  • Cornucopia: A woven basket filled with fruits, vegetables, and fall foliage, the cornucopia is a timeless symbol of abundance and harvest, adding a warm, welcoming touch to your home.
  • Festive Tablecloths and Signs: To create a cozy, festive atmosphere for your dining table, use a tablecloth in fall colors or Thanksgiving patterns and add signs like “Thankful” or “Gather.”

5) Clean Your Home After Thanksgiving

After a busy day of cooking and celebrating, your home will likely need some extra attention. Cleaning up post-Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be overwhelming—just tackle the areas that saw the most action. 

Here are the cleaning tasks to focus on so your home can return to its cozy and organized self.

Family Room/Main Gathering Area

The family room is where most of the festivities occur, so it's bound to have some mess. Start by vacuuming crumbs, pet hair, and debris from the carpets and upholstery. Use a gentle cleaner if you see any spots or stains on pillows or cushions. Wipe down all surfaces, including tables, counters, and remotes, to remove fingerprints, spills, or food marks.

Main Bathroom

After being heavily used by guests, the main bathroom will need a deep cleaning. Scrub the toilets, sinks, and mirrors with a disinfectant cleaner. Vacuum or sweep the floors and freshen up any bathroom rugs. Use a spot treatment cleaner to make things sparkle again for stubborn stains on the sink or tub.

Kitchen

The kitchen will likely be the most challenging area to clean after Thanksgiving, as it's where most of the cooking occurs. Start by cleaning the stovetop and countertops to remove food residue and grease. Wipe down cabinets, handles, and the fridge. Don’t forget to clean the microwave and toss out any leftover food. Hand wash delicate items or load them into the dishwasher to save time.

Dining Room

Your dining room has been at the center of your Thanksgiving meal, so it's time to give it some love. Clean the dining table with a chemical-free cleaner to remove any food marks. If you used a tablecloth, wash it or spot-clean any stains. Wipe down the chairs and seat cushions to remove spills or food debris.

Bedrooms (if people stayed overnight)

If you have overnight guests, tidy up their rooms once they leave. Change the bedding and towels, and wash any linens they use. A quick dusting of furniture and wiping down windows or lamps will help the rooms feel fresh for your next guests.

Garbage

One of the first things to do after Thanksgiving is tackle the trash. Remove all food waste, wrappers, and any leftover packaging from around the house. Empty trash cans in the kitchen and bathrooms, and make sure all bags are taken out to the curb or the designated disposal area.

Relax, Let Us Handle the Cleanup – Book Your Post-Thanksgiving Cleaning Today!

Hosting Thanksgiving can be overwhelming, and cleaning up afterward is the last thing you want to do. Search for Chicago house cleaning services near me and let Fresh Tech Maid handle the mess for you! The trusted apartment cleaning services Chicago provide post-Thanksgiving cleaning so you can relax and enjoy your time.

Get in touch today – your home will be spotless in no time!