Thanksgiving Tips for Hosts… and Guests

This year, as with all years, I am hugely thankful. Family is well. Friends are near. Fromage is everywhere. Times are good. But wait! We are hosting 17 people for Thanksgiving weekend. And we have Baby #3 due about a week later. And this is our busiest time of the year at Cheesetique. What am I thinking??????

*Screeeeeech* (that’s the sound of the craziness brakes being applied). If you are feeling similarly overwhelmed, just remember that you are the host with the most. You have this totally in the bag. And keep saying that to yourself for the next two weeks. I wish each and every one of you the happiest and heartiest Thanksgiving.

Gobble Gobble,

Jill Erber
Proprietor/Cheese Lady

Tips for Thanksgiving Sanity

We at Cheesetique have 10 Thanksgivings under our belts and therefore feel that we are “Thanksgiving Experts.” So allow us to impart some wisdom from the bottoms of our cheesy hearts.

Host Tip #1: Outsource It!

I recently heard that the key to professional happiness is to “only do what only you can do.” I think this applies to entertaining as well. Let us help you with the cheese course so you can focus on your specialties… you won’t regret it!Simply order a ready-to-serve cheese (and/or) meat platter from Cheesetique. Do this online and you don’t even need to use the phone. Then, pick it up at your convenience!

Host Tip #2: Do It Yourself (with a little guidance)

Watch our 3-minute video on how to make a cheese platter at home. Then, pop by Cheesetique to pick up your cheeses/meats/accompaniments/whatever! Then, watch the video again just to brush up.

If you plan on following this route, we strongly recommend coming by a little earlier in the week (see the “Love the Line” section below).

Host Tip #3: Love the Line

Anywhere you shop in the days before Thanksgiving, you will encounter lines. When possible, make the line your friend: discuss your selections with others; share recipes; tell jokes. And if all else fails, ask us for a glass of wine while you shop. It can make all the difference.

We love the holiday buzz (line or no line) and we look forward to serving you!

 A Side-Tip for Guests

It’s easy to be a great guest – bring cheer but do not bring anything that makes your host work harder. For instance, here is what a host does when a guest brings flowers:

1. Says “thank you!”
2. Finds a spare vase
3. Fills vase with water and that weird little packet of flower powder
4. Unwraps flowers
5. Cuts ends off with flowers
6. Arranges flowers attractively in vase
7. Finds a place to display the flower-filled vase

My advice to holiday guests is to bring something that can be enjoyed immediately (without using the host’s cooking surfaces, serving dishes, or refrigerator) OR something that can be easily kept for later.
What item will be appreciated, devoured, and remembered? A Cheesetique gift bucket! Again, you can order online (no phone required!) and you will heretofore be referred to as the best guest ever.