Last Thanksgiving, I deliberately parked my slow cooker of gravy on the welcome mat! Jamie_thompson is absolutely right about using the porch as a barrier. My aunt always insists on a "fridge audit" during visits, but that year we all huddled outside keeping the gravy warm, passing rolls through the door. We ended up having the entire first course on the steps, and she never made it past the entryway. Now I strategically place a bubbling dip or a giant salad right at the threshold for any drop-by guests. It's a flawless diversion tactic!