With Thanksgiving right around the corner, you’re probably starting to make your holiday plans. And if those plans include hosting the big meal at your apartment, you might also be panicking about how you’re going to accommodate everyone. But don’t worry—just a few of these small tweaks will get your apartment ready for the crowd.

1. Stash your superfluous stuff. Extra clutter will always make your space look smaller, but it can actually become a physical barrier to your guests’ comfort in this case. Clear out the pieces of furniture that serve no functional purpose and stow them in the bedroom or office, and get rid of any knick-knacks or decor that are taking up what could be valuable space for food and drinks.

2. Find some extra seating. Unless you really want to mix things up with a cocktail-style dinner, you’re going to need enough seating for everyone on your guest list. But it doesn’t all necessarily have to be at the dining room table. Keep things casual and invite guests to take their plates to the living room, where they can get comfy on the couch, or set up some extra folding chairs wherever you have space.

3. Create a more modest menu. It’s probably tempting to go all out with the menu the first time you’re hosting Thanksgiving, but if you fight that urge, you’ll be happy you did. When you’re working with a smaller kitchen and less serving space, a full-sized Thanksgiving turkey might not be your best option. Instead, opt for a smaller main dish—maybe even chicken or a turkey breast—and keep the sides simple. Consider cutting casserole recipes in half to free up space in your fridge and on the table.

4. Invite your guests to pitch in. Or better yet, let your family and friends do some of the work. Chances are people will be clamoring to help out by bringing their own dish, so let them! Invite dinner guests to take care of the appetizers, salads, sides, and desserts, and then you can really pay attention to making the main dishes and the setting perfect.

How to Host Thanksgiving in a Small Space [Williams-Sonoma]
How to Host Thanksgiving in a Small Space [The Good Stuff]
How to Host a Huge Thanksgiving in a Small Space [Realtor.com]

When Waterfront opened its doors in June, its goal wasn’t just to be a new culinary destination. It also wanted to be a place where people came together to enjoy one another’s company as they enjoyed high-quality cuisine. That’s why Waterfront’s team worked so tirelessly to put together a list of 30 craft beers on tap, a vast wine list, and a menu of small plates designed for sharing.

If you haven’t been to Waterfront yet, round up a group of foodie friends to check it out. Kick off your meal with one of the craft brews or a cocktail like the Charles, a mix of tequila, chili poblano, prosecco, and watermelon. Then pass around some “brewery bites”—think fried oysters and onion rings with house-made hot sauce—or the more refined small plates, such as black Angus beef sliders and lobster thermidor poutine. 

Carving a jack-o-lantern may have been fun when you were a youngster—but that was before you were the one in charge of cleaning up. Times have changed, and so have your tastes. So here are a few sophisticated DIY projects you can try with your pumpkins this year.

Chalkboard Pumpkins
Chalkboard paint isn’t just for the walls. If you cover a pumpkin in the black matte paint, you can actually scrawl fun fall messages across it with chalk. Start by finding a faux pumpkin at the craft store that’s smooth enough for the chalkboard paint, and then coat the entire thing with it. Add a stripe of glittery paint—and maybe add some glitter to the leaves, too—for a bit of extra flair.

Glitter Pumpkins
If you firmly believe that Mother Nature got the color scheme right, but you still want to punch up your pumpkins, these glittery gourds are for you. Grab a few faux pumpkins and smother them with Mod Podge, then coat the entire exterior with orange glitter. Let the pumpkin dry and nestle it among some artificial fall leaves on your coffee table or dining room table.

Paint-Dipped Pumpkins
Maybe you prefer decor that’s slightly less sparkly, in which case these simple paint-dipped pumpkins are probably your best bet. This craft requires an actual trip to the pumpkin patch to grab a real gourd. Then wrap a strip of painter’s tape around the center of the pumpkin, turning it upside down and perching the stem firmly in the roll of tape. Use a brush to coat the bottom half with paint in your favorite autumn hue (you might need to do two or three coats). Once it dries, peel off the tape and reveal your masterpiece.

15 Glam Pumpkin Designs For A Glitzy Fall And Halloween Décor [homedit]
12 Glitter Pumpkins That’ll Add Some Glamour to Your Porch This Halloween [House Beautiful]
DIY Paint-Dipped Pumpkin [Erin Spain]