PLANNING FOR THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is a month away and I put together a timeline to help get organized for the holiday! Whether you are hosting a larger gathering or keeping it small this year, getting things done ahead of time allows you to actually enjoy the holiday. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and anything I can do to reduce stress, I’m willing to do it. As I have mentioned before, I make lists for everything so I make lists early- menus, head counts, shopping lists, ingredients, to-do lists. But besides making lists, it helps to get certain things done ahead of time and this timeline shows some tasks you can get cross off your to-do list before the big day.
Here is a timeline for the month before Thanksgiving:
ONE MONTH TO GO
Discuss plans with family/friends and create a guest list.
Book flights if you haven’t yet!
Order your turkey if ordering from a market or specialty store. (Note- If you are getting a frozen turkey, you still have time.) The rule of thumb is- two pounds per adult and one pound per child. But there is also a Butterball Calculator!
Start planning a menu. Also, start thinking about what other people can bring. This also applies if you are not hosting- start thinking about what you can bring or ask what your host would like you to bring.
Another idea- my dad’s family has a huge Thanksgiving and when he could not be there, he would plan to have a centerpiece or floral arrangement arrive at the host’s house a few days before Thanksgiving.
THREE WEEKS TO GO
Set a menu and start a shopping list.
Start picking up non-perishable items at the grocery store.
Make stock ahead of time and freeze it. You can also make gravy ahead of time and freeze it!
Clean out your freezer, refrigerator, and pantry to make room for all of the incoming items. You can always do this later, but it helps to get some big tasks out of the way early, too. This also helps you with your current inventory to cross off items you already have. Don’t forget to check expiration dates!
TWO WEEKS TO GO
Make casseroles (without cooking) and freeze.
Continue checking your shopping list. Remember to look in your pantry/refrigerator/freezer and cross items off on the list that you already have.
Think about decor, flowers, floral arrangements, and centerpieces. Order flowers if desired.
ONE WEEK TO GO
Thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator. The rule of thumb is- 1 day thawing per 4 pounds of turkey.
Iron any linens needed. Another easy one to do ahead of time.
Plan out cooking times and oven schedule. Look at your recipes for cook times and oven temperatures. Ask guests who are bringing dishes what preparation they need the day of…especially if they need oven time.
Match your dishes and platters to the food you are serving (and make sure they are clean). You can even get crazy and put sticky notes on them as temporary labels.
Decide when you are going to go to the grocery store. Look over your grocery list again. If you are neurotic like me, I categorize my list (produce, dairy, meats, etc.) and I list the categories according to how I walk around our grocery store.
Contact any guests to make sure they know details. (If you are not hosting, contact the host to verify the details.)
TWO DAYS TO GO
Bake cornbread or bread for stuffing/dressing and set it out so it can dry out.
Bake and chill pumpkin pie.
Double check your recipes and make sure you have everything on your list. If not, run to the store sooner rather than later.
ONE DAY TO GO
Thaw frozen items in the refrigerator.
Brine turkey if necessary.
Prep any ingredients you can ahead of time (onions, veggies, herbs, etc.).
Set the table.
Chill any drinks needed for Thanksgiving. Use a cooler if you are running low on fridge space!
THANKSGIVING DAY
Try not to stress and stick to your plan.
Clean up as you go!
Prep your potatoes in the morning. You can peel them and put them in a pot of water until you are ready to start them.
Expect something to go awry, whether the turkey takes longer than expected, a side dish burns, you forget something, red wine spills… don’t fret.
Don’t forget to remember what Thanksgiving represents and be thankful for all of your blessings!
