Tips for Hiring Event Staff for Thanksgiving Celebrations

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, expressing gratitude, and indulging in a delicious feast. But for hosts, it often means a whirlwind of preparations, from planning the menu to setting the table and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Imagine the chaos when everyone arrives, and you’re still in your apron, trying to keep the turkey from drying out while entertaining guests. It’s a scenario many people dread, but thankfully, there’s a solution that promises a stress-free holiday: hiring event staff.

Why Hire Event Staff for Thanksgiving?

With the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving, having extra hands can make all the difference.

Reduce Your Stress

By hiring professional event staff, you can delegate tasks to experts trained to handle them efficiently. Whether it’s chefs crafting the perfect feast, private party helpers ensuring every guest’s glass is full, or housekeepers keeping your home pristine, event staff take the burden off your shoulders.

To further ease your stress, you can consider hiring other professionals, such as event nannies to help keep the little ones entertained or personal assistants to manage schedules, handle logistics, and more. Having a team of dedicated professionals to support you makes for a more relaxed and enjoyable holiday.

Enhance Your Guests’ Experience

Guests often notice the little details, and having staff attend to their needs adds a touch of luxury and comfort. From greeting guests with warm smiles to expertly planning dishes, professional event staff elevate your guests’ experience and allow you to focus on being a gracious host.

Free Up Your Time

During the holidays, one of the most valuable gifts you can give yourself is time. By hiring event staff, you free up time to spend with your loved ones and participate in the holiday festivities. Instead of slaving away in the kitchen or constantly checking on guests, you can relax and enjoy quality time with those closest to you.

Related reading: What Party Helpers Actually Do: Making Your Party a Breeze

How to Hire Thanksgiving Event Staff: A Step-by-Step Guide

It may seem like a lot of work to hire staff for a single event, but with these simple steps, you can quickly and easily find the perfect team for your Thanksgiving gathering.

Step 1: Determine Your Needs

Before finding potential staff, make a list of what you need. Do you want a full-service team, or do you only need assistance with certain tasks? List all the tasks you’ll need help with from your staff, such as cooking, serving, cleaning, childcare, and more. Next, determine what type of professional best fits your needs, such as:

• Chefs – Factor in the number of guests and any dietary restrictions that need to be accommodated. Skilled chefs can prepare a menu that caters to all preferences while ensuring every dish delights.
• Private party helpers – Decide on the level of service you require, whether it’s simply keeping drinks topped off or handling all aspects of the event, such as setting up, serving, and cleaning.
• Housekeepers – Determine how much help you need with cleaning and tidying before and after the event. You can hire housekeepers for a few hours or have them stay throughout the event to keep things tidy.
• Event nannies – If children will be attending, consider hiring event nannies to keep them entertained and safe while the adults enjoy the festivities.
• Personal assistants – For a truly stress-free experience, hire a personal assistant to handle all aspects of the event planning and execution, from creating a schedule to coordinating with vendors.

Step 2: Set Your Budget

Having a budget in mind helps you narrow down your options and find the best fit. Here are some considerations:

• Rates – Research local rates for professional staff to establish a baseline for your budget. Below are the average hourly rates for different types of event staff:

• Chefs: $80–120
• Party helpers/housekeepers: $50–55
• Event nannies: $35–45

These prices may vary, especially if the professional works on Thanksgiving Day itself, as rates may increase for holiday work. Personal assistants’ rates will also vary depending on their level of experience and the scope of their services. Contact the Town + Country Resources team for help with determining fair and competitive rates.

• Additional costs – Keep in mind any additional expenses such as food costs or transportation fees. These can add up quickly, so be sure to factor them into your budget.

Step 3: Select and Hire

As it relates to temporary positions, Town + Country Resources can help streamline the process of hiring event staff, taking the stress off your shoulders. When you work with us, we’ll take the time to understand your event needs and select suitable candidates on your behalf.

For instance, if you need a temporary chef, we will recommend a top tier, pre-vetted chef who fits your criteria. Similarly, if you want to hire a personal assistant, we match you with a qualified and experienced candidate who can handle all your event planning needs.

The advantage of working with Town + Country Resources is that all of our candidates are thoroughly screened, vetted, and background checked, ensuring their reliability and professionalism. We also take the work off our plate and present you with only the best professionals.

Step 4: Communicate Clearly

Clear communication with your event staff is paramount to a successful gathering. Some key points to address include:

• Expectations – Clarify tasks, schedules, and any specific instructions before the event to ensure everyone is on the same page and to minimize confusion.
• Emergency plans – Discuss contingency plans in case of any unforeseen events such as power outages or the arrival of unexpected guests.
• Day-of communication – Establish a point person for communication on the day of the event to streamline any last-minute changes or requests.

Our team can assist with any communications about event expectations and who to contact on the day of the gathering.

Transform Your Thanksgiving Gathering with Professional Event Staff

Hiring event staff for Thanksgiving may initially seem like an unnecessary expense, but it’s an investment that ultimately pays off. With reduced stress, an enhanced guest experience, and more time to spend with loved ones, it can make all the difference in creating a memorable and enjoyable holiday gathering. Follow our step-by-step guide, and consider working with Town + Country Resources to make your Thanksgiving planning a stress-free and seamless experience. Call us today!