Host A Perfect Thanksgiving With These Smart Home Tips

As Thanksgiving approaches, if you’re anxious about hosting an unforgettable gathering, rest assured that your smart home technology is ready to assist. We’ve curated a collection of straightforward strategies to help you host a seamless Thanksgiving celebration. From creating a warm ambiance with smart lighting to utilizing Quick Replies on your video doorbell, here are some ways your smart home can facilitate a stress-free holiday.

Establish a temporary smart lock code

Many smart locks come equipped with the ability to set temporary codes—an incredibly beneficial feature for hosts. Instead of sharing your permanent passcode with all your visitors, you can set a temporary one that’s valid only for Thanksgiving. This allows friends and family to let themselves in when you’re busy, without giving them unrestricted access at other times. We have a detailed guide on creating temporary codes on the Yale Assure Lock 2, which is a process that’s similarly available for most other smart locks.

Utilize Quick Replies on your video doorbell

Enhance your doorbell’s functionality with Quick Replies. Once activated, these responses allow you to send a brief message to guests who ring your doorbell. For instance, you could choose a Quick Reply that informs them you’ll be there shortly or one requesting them to leave a message because you’re busy. Ring has recently introduced a collection of holiday-themed Quick Replies, so if you’re gearing up for the festive season, consider checking out this new set.

Build a cozy environment with smart lighting

Smart lighting is crucial for any Thanksgiving event. Whether you aim to create a warm atmosphere for dinner, dim the lights for some football viewing, or brighten the room to locate those pesky food crumbs, smart lights are incredibly versatile. In addition to bulbs and string lights, under-cabinet smart illumination provides an excellent option. Recently, GE Lighting launched the Cync Smart Undercabinet Fixtures, which showcase your culinary creations beautifully. They can either be hardwired or plugged in, making them adaptable to various homes.

Engage your guests using a smart display

Looking for a way to keep your guests entertained away from the main viewing area? A smart display can be the perfect distraction, enabling you to stream shows and play a variety of games. The Echo Show series stands out for its capabilities; as long as you have FireOS 5 or later, you can access games through Amazon Luna. Be sure to take a moment to explore the entertainment options offered by your smart display and make them readily available for guests.

Maintain optimal comfort with a smart thermostat

Depending on your location, the weather during this season can be quite unpredictable. Warm days can quickly transition to chilly evenings, doors might be opened for arriving guests, and all the cooking can raise the temperature inside your home. Regardless of the situation, a smart thermostat allows you to swiftly (and remotely) adjust the temperature in your home. Instead of stepping away from conversations or leaving the kitchen, you can conveniently adjust the settings with your smartphone. Whether your guests are bundling up in coats or shedding layers to cool down, you can effortlessly manage the temperature as needed.