Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for families and friends to come together and celebrate their thankfulness for each other. As exciting and fun as Thanksgiving parties can be, hosting such a gathering tends to be a stressful event for the host and hostess. We have gathered these expert tips to relieve some of the pressure of the holiday, so you can focus on enjoying the party.

Tip #1: Send an electronic invitation requesting an RSVP from guests.

Planning for a party without knowing how many guests will be in attendance can be really difficult, and sending paper invitations can be costly. Instead, send an electronic invitation through a website like Evite and request an RSVP from invitees. This will take the guesswork out of how much food and drink to prepare. If you’re hosting a pot-luck, include a space where guests can note what they are bringing. If you need help with particular food or drink items, don’t be afraid to ask.

You can also use Facebook to create an event and invite guests. Doing this will allow people to see who is attending and which items they intend to bring. Check out this article on creating a Facebook event for help. If you do send an electronic invitation, don’t forget about those who may not regularly use social media or email. Just give them a call and make sure they saw the invite and let them know you are excited for them to come.

Tip #2: Deep clean your carpets NOW.

The Saturday before Thanksgiving is the busiest weekend of the entire year for Rug Doctor deep carpet cleaning rentals. Many people wait until the last moment to deep clean their carpets for their Thanksgiving gatherings. Checking this project off your list early will lessen the stress and anxiety of getting it done before the big day comes. Go ahead and rent a Rug Doctor at one of our 40,000 rental locations and deep clean your carpets now! And don’t worry about spots and spills that happen between your deep clean and your actual gathering. Rug Doctor has plenty of stain removing sprays available at the rental locations to help you maintain your spot-free look through the holiday and beyond.

Tip #3: Use paper and plastic products to help with clean-up time.

Formal tableware is elegant and beautiful, but it can also be time consuming to set and clean up. Your friends and family are most likely more excited to spend time with you rather than being concerned with the dishware. Instead of using traditional tableware, opt for plastic and paper items instead. This will cut down on your clean-up time and allow guests to easily pick up after themselves. Be sure to set aside separate plastic and paper waste containers for recycling. If you are looking for a more formal look, but still want to use disposable dishes, premium plastic plates are great choice – and you may even have to convince your guests that it’s okay to throw them away!

Tip #4: Don’t be afraid to ask for help with cleanup.

Probably the least fun part of hosting a gathering is the time spent cleaning after everyone leaves or waking up to a dirty kitchen and house the day after. If this sort of thing stresses you out, ask your closest friends in advance if they could help you out after dinner. You and a few helpers can clean up in a fraction of the time compared to doing it alone. Knowing you’ll have a cleanup team after the event will help you relax and enjoy yourself more.

Tip #5: Buy inexpensive food storage containers to send leftover food home with guests.

Did you know that Americans throw away over $290 million in uneaten food during Thanksgiving? Usually the host of the party gets stuck with all the leftovers, and most of it will spoil or become unappetizing after so many days. Provide your guests with inexpensive food storage containers to take home their Thanksgiving favorites. Sharing leftovers will help cut down on the amount of food you’ll end up throwing out and will help with clean up! And your guests will be impressed with your thoughtfulness!