Thanksgiving Cornucopia by Lawrence OP on flickr.
Thanksgiving is unsettlingly close and, possibly in anticipation of a sluggish shopping season, retail stores seemed to jump directly from Halloween to Christmas without even a cursory acknowledgement of the eight weeks in between. So– if you’re planning to play host to friends and family anytime over the next few weeks, THIH has some tips and ideas to help you out.
Storage space is precious in most of our homes and apartments. For instance, you probably don’t have seating for 14, a kid’s table or enough glassware to transition from white to red and back again. Nor do you probably have a comfy (well, more comfy than an air mattress) roll away bed stowed in the hall closet. In addition to a dizzying array of tools, Just Ask Rental has many of the things you might need to fill your gaps. I called over and spoke to Jay, who told me they have tables of various sizes; glasses for martinis, wine and liquor (which can be returned clean or, at $0.15 per glass, you can save yourself the trouble); as well as accessories like chafing dishes and punch bowls to round out your buffet. They also offer folding chairs, high chairs, cribs, and roll away beds. Also according to Jay, “If you are expecting a special guest, we even have a red carpet.” Maybe that would impress the in-laws? Don’t wait too long to book, though. Jay said there are some who book a year in advance. Time to start counting heads! And glasses. Follow after the jump for details on B&B’s, help with errands , a local wine paring class and other suggestions.
If you have lots of out of town guests, a room at a local bed and breakfast can help with the overflow. I checked out three local B&Bs for rooms from Tuesday, November 24th to Saturday, November 28th. Prices and availability are accurate as of the afternoon of November 10th. La Maison Vert (328 Massachusetts Ave, NE) is one conveniently situated option. According to their website, Executive Suite C is available for $175/night. On the other side of the Hill, monthly rental spot Casa degli Angeli has availability at their bed and breakfast, Casa di Giovanni (1016 G Street, SE – reservations and information through Casa degli Angeli’s website). Casa di Giovanni had a room for $149/night or an apartment for $199/night. Also in Southeast, Carriage House Capitol Hill (3rd and South Carolina) had rooms for $135.
Experiencing some stress already? Feeling like you could use an extra pair of hands to take some tasks off your plate? That is exactly what you get with Rich and Jan Shea of At Your Service (richshea1@juno.com, mobile: 202-468-0870). Over the last five years, the Sheas have built a business of helping out Hill denizens by running errands such as taking cars to the repair shop and getting people home safely and comfortably after doctor’s appointments. They way I came to know Rich, though, was through his reliable, pleasant and stress-free rides to the airport. So, if the thought of taking mom and dad to Dulles for the 8 a.m. flight the Friday after Thanksgiving is too much to take, or if you need some help with errands before the big day, contact At Your Service.
Now for the food. If you haven’t ordered your turkey, it isn’t too late. The folks at Market Poultry (202-543-7470), in Eastern Market, are taking orders up to the 22nd, with pickups the 24th and 25th. Actually, when I spoke with them they said they’re getting lots of orders for other main courses, especially goose, rabbit, duck and turducken. Save some time and order your turkey already fried or smoked. Also at Eastern Market, Capitol Hill Poultry (202-544-4435) said they expect to have turkeys for the last minute shoppers on Wednesday, but suggested ordering ahead to get exactly what you need.
As far as the actual cooking goes, a cursory search didn’t turn up any local classes or demonstrations. Hill’s Kitchen’s pie and Thanksgiving Basics classes are already booked, but proprietor Leah Daniels did tell me that the shop will be open on Thanksgiving day from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and starting Monday will be open seven days a week. She said she has lots of holiday themed goodies like sprinkles and cookie cutters, plus great hostess gifts. (And speaking of pie, here’s hoping the new H Street, Northeast storefront for Dangerously Delicious Pies will be up and running in time for Thanksgiving orders. There was no answer at their DC number and the Baltimore store didn’t have an update.) If you’re looking for a a little help to pick wines for your holiday meal, our friends at Wisdom are hosting a Wine Club event: Wines to Drink at the Holiday Table, November 18 at 7:30. Check here and scroll down in the box to register.
If, after reading all that, you decide that maybe you want to bypass living in the kitchen for a week, there’s the option of eating out. Open Table is still showing a few Hill restaurants with availability. There are tables at Art & Soul (afternoon only, no evening), B. Smith’s, Bistro Bis and Charlie Palmer Steak.
Hopefully at this point all your heavy lifting is done. Now its time to turn to accents. If you’re looking to spice up your tabletop, Forecast and Homebody have options to suit a variety of tastes. The ladies at Forecast showed me some delicately fashioned, flower-shaped ramekins and place settings as well as several beautiful table cloths and napkins in bright fall patterns. They also have paper plates and napkins to dress up your less formal meals as well as other small touches like candles adorned with turkeys. And don’t forget the flowers! There are several spots to order a centerpiece for your table or pick up a bouquet for the guest room. Check out Flowers on the Hill at 650 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Blue Iris in Eastern Market, or Surroundings at Lincoln Park.
Be sure to check out THIH’s To Do List that week to get ideas for keeping your guests entertained!
(For the advanced hosts and hostesses among us, here are checklists — I do love a checklist! — to help you get ready for house guests, make Thanksgiving preparations, and, if you’re ready for it, get a jump on Christmas.)
What are your suggestions for local retailers or service providers that help with holiday preparations?
I work part-time at a Borders bookstore in DC, and a bunch of us went in one recent Saturday night and, after closing, worked through the night decorating the store for Christmas, moving tables, doing merchandising. This was Saturday, October 31st, of course.
Market Poultry seriously sells turducken? There’s a call for that mythic meal at my house but there’s no chance I’m doing all that debonings, trussing etc. Ring ring Market Poultry.