Planning Thanksgiving dinner and preparing it can be very stressful, especially if you have a large family or are expecting a number of guests. In order to make Thanksgiving more enjoyable for yourself as well as your guests, some advance planning and preparation will work wonders. Use these tips to make your holiday a stress-free, memorable occasion:
10 Days Before Thanksgiving Day:
About 10 days prior to Thanksgiving, or at least one week, get your list together of folks who are invited and contact anyone you haven't spoken to as yet. This will give you plenty of time to prepare for the amount of food and seating. Be sure to jot down next to your guest list names any special food needs or dishes that anyone is bringing to the meal.
If you will be cooking turkey, decide upon fresh, frozen, or smoked. Make sure you have room in your refrigerator and oven. You should plan on one to one 1/2 pounds per person and even a bit larger if you want plenty of leftovers.
A final menu should be ready at least a week before Thanksgiving. Look at your guest list and adjust your menu to take into consideration the younger children, big eaters, or anyone with a special dietary need. Offering the children onion-less stuffing in a separate casserole might make their meal a bit more special.
The Week of Thanksgiving:
Coming into the week of Thanksgiving, you want to prepare your pantry. Stock up on paper supplies or additional cutlery, or anything you may need for serving or preparing dinner. Buy food items that will store until Thanksgiving and bake any bread, rolls, or muffins now and freeze them until Thanksgiving day.
The Countdown To Thanksgiving Day:
A couple of days prior to Thanksgiving you can prepare a few items in advance to save time on the big day.
Foods that can be prepared in advance are things like cranberry relish. You can also clean and dice the vegetables you need for your stuffing, like onions and celery. If you are preparing a vegetable tray for an appetizer, wash and trim those vegetables as well. Store everything in tightly sealed plastic zip lock bags or containers. Some side dishes may be prepared the night before Thanksgiving. Some folks prepare their stuffing and store it overnight so it is ready to go in the morning. It's also time to make your pies and cakes. If you have frozen rolls or side dishes that need to thaw, get them out the night before.
Now is is time to check your shopping list and make sure everything on it is in your kitchen ready to go for Thanksgiving day.
Time to plan the day's games. If you have children in the house, be sure to include them in deciding what games to play. Get out the decorations for the table and the house. If there are any special Thanksgiving serving pieces, now is the time to get those out onto the kitchen counter. Don't forget to take care of your special linens now, too. Wash and iron them if necessary now to prevent having to do that at the last minute!
Thawing your frozen turkey correctly is very important. Three days before Thanksgiving morning should be sufficient when you thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. Be sure to following the thawing instructions on the bird itself.
The Morning of Thanksgiving:
It's Thanksgiving morning and you are all set! Your turkey is thawed and ready to stuff. Figure out the timing to roast your turkey using the time table on the packaging. Prepare your bird, stuff it, and get it ready for the oven in your roasting pan. Plan your side dish cooking schedule. Prepare any side dishes and desserts that you were unable to prepare overnight; peeling potatoes, etc. Wash dishes as you go to prevent a pile up during dinner.
Now it's time to set the table, and take a break! Enjoy the aromas already wafting through your house... that is the smell of a wonderfully planned and prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Good for you! You have successfully created a memorable Thanksgiving without all the stress. Go light the candles and relax with your guests! - 30289
10 Days Before Thanksgiving Day:
About 10 days prior to Thanksgiving, or at least one week, get your list together of folks who are invited and contact anyone you haven't spoken to as yet. This will give you plenty of time to prepare for the amount of food and seating. Be sure to jot down next to your guest list names any special food needs or dishes that anyone is bringing to the meal.
If you will be cooking turkey, decide upon fresh, frozen, or smoked. Make sure you have room in your refrigerator and oven. You should plan on one to one 1/2 pounds per person and even a bit larger if you want plenty of leftovers.
A final menu should be ready at least a week before Thanksgiving. Look at your guest list and adjust your menu to take into consideration the younger children, big eaters, or anyone with a special dietary need. Offering the children onion-less stuffing in a separate casserole might make their meal a bit more special.
The Week of Thanksgiving:
Coming into the week of Thanksgiving, you want to prepare your pantry. Stock up on paper supplies or additional cutlery, or anything you may need for serving or preparing dinner. Buy food items that will store until Thanksgiving and bake any bread, rolls, or muffins now and freeze them until Thanksgiving day.
The Countdown To Thanksgiving Day:
A couple of days prior to Thanksgiving you can prepare a few items in advance to save time on the big day.
Foods that can be prepared in advance are things like cranberry relish. You can also clean and dice the vegetables you need for your stuffing, like onions and celery. If you are preparing a vegetable tray for an appetizer, wash and trim those vegetables as well. Store everything in tightly sealed plastic zip lock bags or containers. Some side dishes may be prepared the night before Thanksgiving. Some folks prepare their stuffing and store it overnight so it is ready to go in the morning. It's also time to make your pies and cakes. If you have frozen rolls or side dishes that need to thaw, get them out the night before.
Now is is time to check your shopping list and make sure everything on it is in your kitchen ready to go for Thanksgiving day.
Time to plan the day's games. If you have children in the house, be sure to include them in deciding what games to play. Get out the decorations for the table and the house. If there are any special Thanksgiving serving pieces, now is the time to get those out onto the kitchen counter. Don't forget to take care of your special linens now, too. Wash and iron them if necessary now to prevent having to do that at the last minute!
Thawing your frozen turkey correctly is very important. Three days before Thanksgiving morning should be sufficient when you thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. Be sure to following the thawing instructions on the bird itself.
The Morning of Thanksgiving:
It's Thanksgiving morning and you are all set! Your turkey is thawed and ready to stuff. Figure out the timing to roast your turkey using the time table on the packaging. Prepare your bird, stuff it, and get it ready for the oven in your roasting pan. Plan your side dish cooking schedule. Prepare any side dishes and desserts that you were unable to prepare overnight; peeling potatoes, etc. Wash dishes as you go to prevent a pile up during dinner.
Now it's time to set the table, and take a break! Enjoy the aromas already wafting through your house... that is the smell of a wonderfully planned and prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Good for you! You have successfully created a memorable Thanksgiving without all the stress. Go light the candles and relax with your guests! - 30289
About the Author:
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