Hello hello! Who's hosting this year?

When someone else is hosting Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving, we always hope our favorite dishes will be on their menu. And if you're unsure yours will show up, that favorite might be just what you'd like to contribute.

But we often overlook the question: What could I bring to lighten their load instead?

Chances are the host has already gathered a game plan, so why not go one step beyond the table and bring a little something extra instead?

Here are 5 tips that can help you be a better guest and lighten your host's load:

1. One of my favorite tips (and something I started doing a couple of years ago) is asking a friend or family member to bring take-home containers for everyone to take leftovers home in. We're always left with an abundance of food, and not everyone who comes to the Thanksgiving meal is staying together, so it's nice to send them off with some great leftovers.

2. If I'm not the one hosting (take this year, for example), I like to bring muffins or a quickbread, a breakfast casserole, homemade granola (with some yogurt and fruit) or cinnamon rolls for the host to have an easy breakfast the next morning. They need a rest after all of that cooking!

3. Additionally, a mimosa-making kit along with some inexpensive glasses (these beauties are on sale and you can't beat this price!) makes a fun gift for the next day.

4. A bouquet is always a lovely gesture, but if you bring flowers, bring them in a vase so your host doesn't need to interrupt what they're doing and scramble to search for one. (Here's another one I like). It doesn't need to be something you spend much money on though–you'd be surprised by what you can find at your local thrift!

5. If you know you're going to a Thanksgiving dinner where kids will be present, bring a favorite game or other fun, non-messy activity to occupy them so the adults can converse. This Thanksgiving-themed coloring banner is so cute and fun for a group! :)

But then again, if you're like me and just can't help contributing to the turkey day feast, might I make a few suggestions that won't cause your cook any extra work?

• A little snack is always appreciated before the big meal and I bet the cook(s) would be forever grateful if you brought these to nibble on with a bottle of white wine. (Chill the wine before so it's ready to enjoy!)

• I'm normally a traditional kinda gal when it comes to stuffing, but I am loving this recipe—and it might not be on their recipe radar.

• If you really want to impress folks, these tender, fluffy, buttery rolls are the way. I mean, who can say "no" to more rolls?

• This tangy-sweet salad is another way to delight folks, especially since it helps balance out all the heavier traditional fare (and the kids LOVE it!).

• And this vibrant roasted squash dish is also a fun way to shake things up a bit.

Get ready to enjoy!

Heidi

P.S. For even more Thanksgiving tips, be sure to check out my Thanksgiving Prep Guide here.