Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26 this year, and for many families in the Somerset Hills it means a full house, a long table, and a kitchen that never quite gets clean. If your home is also on the market, you might wonder whether you can do both. You can. With a little planning, you can host the people you love and keep your home ready for buyers who are still out looking.
Talk to Your Agent First
Holiday week doesn't stop the market. Some buyers use the long weekend to tour homes, especially those relocating or visiting family nearby. Before you set the table, sit down with your agent and decide:
- Which days are open for showings and which are off-limits. Many sellers block Thanksgiving Day itself and leave the Friday and weekend open.
- How much notice you need for a showing request during the week.
- Whether to pause any open house that would conflict with your plans.
A clear plan, shared in advance, means fewer surprise requests and fewer missed buyers.
Plan the Menu With Showings in Mind
Cooking smells can be welcoming, but strong ones linger. In the days before and after the holiday:
- Lean toward dishes that don't fill the house with lasting odors, and run the range hood when you cook.
- Take out the trash and recycling promptly, especially after the big meal.
- Keep a short "showing reset" routine: clear counters, load the dishwasher, wipe surfaces, and open a window for a few minutes if the weather allows.
Make Room for Guests Without Losing the Staging
Your home was staged to look spacious. A crowd of relatives and their luggage can undo that quickly.
- Give guests a home base. Keep coats, bags, and extra chairs in one room or closet that is easy to tidy before a showing.
- Borrow or rent wisely. If you need a second table, choose one you can fold away the next morning.
- Protect the floors. Put mats at the entry and felt pads under any extra furniture, since late-fall weather tracks in leaves and mud.
Decorate Lightly
A few seasonal touches help a home feel warm: a simple centerpiece, a bowl of gourds, a wreath on the door. Keep it modest. Buyers should still be able to picture their own holidays in the space, and your listing photos should still match what they see in person.
Think About Privacy and Security
With extra people coming and going, it's a good moment to tidy up personal items. Put away family photos you'd prefer strangers not see, and secure valuables, prescriptions, mail, and important papers before both the holiday and any showings. Let guests know showings may happen over the weekend so no one is surprised by a lockbox or a visit.
The Morning After
The Friday after Thanksgiving can be a good showing day. Plan a quick reset that morning: put away the extra chairs, run the dishwasher, take out the trash, turn on the lights, and set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. Then go enjoy the leftovers somewhere else for an hour.
If You'd Rather Take a Break
Some sellers prefer to pause showings entirely for the holiday. That's a reasonable choice, and your agent can help you decide whether a short break makes sense for your home and timeline. The key is to decide early, so buyers and their agents know what to expect.
The Takeaway
You don't have to choose between a full holiday table and a well-presented home. Agree on a showing plan with your agent, keep the kitchen and guest clutter under control, decorate lightly, and protect your privacy. Then enjoy the day.
Selling this season, or thinking about listing after the holidays? Call Fahey Realtors at 908.204.0600 or visit us at 61 Claremont Road in Bernardsville, NJ 07924. We will help you plan around the calendar.
