Planning Thanksgiving Dinner - Tips To Make Your Holiday Easy

Preparing your Thanksgiving dinner takes a lot of planning. It can be stressful, to say the least! How can you make your dinner successful, especially when you have a large group? By laying out a planning strategy that works, of course. Let's look at some ideas and tips for planning your holiday meal:

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.

Your dinner menu should be finalized during this time. Count up the number of adults and older children on your guest list. Adjust your side dishes to take into account the big eaters. You know Uncle Bill always fills up on stuffing, so be sure to make an extra casserole full! Don't forget to include a few special treats for the youngsters.

The Week of Thanksgiving:

During the start of Thanksgiving week you want to start stocking your non-perishable foods and pantry items. Be sure you have all the paper products, serving pieces, cutlery, chairs, and other items on hand that you will need for dinner. You may want to bake your rolls and bread now and freeze them ahead of time.

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.

Things like cranberry sauce or relish can be stored in your refrigerator for a few days. You may want to cut up onions, celery, and any like items and store them in plastic ware to save time on Thanksgiving morning. You may want to prepare some side dishes the night before Thanksgiving; items like Green Bean Casserole store just fine overnight. Prepare your pies and cakes now, as well. If you have items in the freezer, they should come out now and go in the refrigerator.

Make sure you have everything on your shopping list in your kitchen at least 2-3 days before Thanksgiving morning.

Get out your games, decorations, and special serving pieces for Thanksgiving. If you have kids, be sure to involve them in the game planning at the very least. If they are old enough, be sure they are included in decorating the house and table. Now is the time to get out your special table linens and wash and iron them if necessary.

If you have purchased a frozen turkey, take it out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator 3 days prior to cooking to give it plenty of time to thaw. Following the thawing instructions on the turkey to the letter.

The Morning of Thanksgiving:

On Thanksgiving morning, stuff your thawed turkey and get it ready to place in the oven. Use the time table on your turkey and place your turkey in the oven at the time necessary. Prepare any side dishes now that you were unable to prepare last night; things like peeling potatoes, for instance. Schedule your side dishes in their cooking order. Prepare any desserts that you were unable to prepare the night before.

Now, set the table, sit back, and relax for a few minutes before the guests arrive. Congratulations! You have successfully planned and carried out your Thanksgiving dinner! Less stress and more time to enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration.

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