Kate Arends is the founder of Wit and Delight, a lifestyle brand selling beautiful prints, stationary, notebooks, and more. Based in Minneapolis, the company has taken its mastery of aesthetics to the next level by also acting as a creative agency, and has designed limited collections with Target (no big deal). For almost a decade, Kate has created brands from the ground up–in addition to running Wit and Delight, she has designed marketing and product solutions for 3M, Fossil, and Red Wing Heritage. She is currently based in St. Paul, and lives with her husband Joe, two children, and English lab. This design boss knows that Thanksgiving can be a hectic time–that’s why she’s come up with tried and true antidotes to holiday entertainment stress. Below, she shares her best tips for staying organized this Turkey Day.

Kate says…

  1. Invest in the right gear. You’ll plan your menu in advance so make sure you’ve got the tools you need, whether that’s multiple baking dishes, an immersion blender (one of my favorites) or even just ample Tupperware. Having those essentials at the ready makes all the difference!
  2. Make your shopping list early. I like to do this a couple of weeks in advance. By that time, you should have a good idea of how many guests to expect and can plan your recipes and quantities accordingly.
  3. Prep ahead! I like to make as much as possible in advance so that I can just pop things in the oven on the big day. Even if it’s just slicing your Brussels sprouts, you’ll thank yourself for the time you’ve saved beforehand so you can relax. A happy host dictates the mood of the party!
  4. Clean out your freezer and fridge! Before you even start cooking, get rid of any old or unused items so that you can make room for everything you’ll be putting in there.
  5. Forget the glass. If I know I’m hosting a crowd, I opt for a box or two of the Black Box Red Blend and Chardonnay instead of bottles to make entertaining easier. Each 3L box of Black Box Wine is the equivalent of 4 regular bottles and stays fresh for up to 6 weeks after opening. It’s perfect for entertaining a crowd, and I like knowing that the wines are eco-friendly and fully recyclable, with half the carbon footprint of regular bottles. I also love their rewards program, which gives you points for things like buying the wines and engaging on social media, which you can redeem for amazing prizes.
  6. Make it pretty but keep it simple. If ornate table decorations are your thing, then go for it! I like to keep things simple and elegant with small arrangements that, most importantly, your guests can see over. Bud vases are one of my favorite ways to adorn a tablescape. Check out your local farmer’s market to see what’s in season and go from there.
  7. On that note, set your table in advance. I sometimes set the table even a week ahead so that I can visualize the final setup. It’s just one more thing you can prep ahead!
  8. Create a seating chart. Holidays are one of the few times we get to catch up with all of those out-of-town family members. By making a seating chart, you’re ensuring that everyone doesn’t just sit by their favorite cousins, but maybe gets to chat with an aunt they’re not as close with. I also like to strategically plan this to avoid any heated political discussions…
  9. Enlist your friends and family. People will ask if they can bring anything – let them! There’s no award for doing it all. Ask your guests to bring the stuffing, mashed potatoes, or whatever they feel is their specialty. Plus, it’s nice to make everyone a part of the event.
  10. Don’t forget what it’s all about. It’s easy to get swept up in all of the holiday hubbub, but remember it’s a day for expressing gratitude, especially for your loved ones.