Ok, I know I'm a planner, and preparing for Thanksgiving (or any big day) is so much fun for me. I mean, I don't go into great "detailed planning", but something as easy as just laying out everything that needs to be done for a fun, the stress-free day is worth a little planning in advance. Just always remember to have a glass of wine relax and plan away. I find if I don't plan it just adds some stress to the day and that takes away all the fun of the holiday. So, if you're like me, set out a plan, it will take away some of the stress and help build fun memories on Thanksgiving.
There are so many things that can be done in advance to get ready for Thanksgiving to make the cooking experience more fun, and more likely really successful. I believe the tips in this post will help you start getting ready for a fun relaxing Thanksgiving.
Planning Saves the day!
One year we had just moved into our new house and were having over 35 people from out of town for dinner. So, it was really important to plan everything.
In the morning we started making breakfast. Turned on the double oven for the first time. And heard a huge POP! (which is usually never good....unless it's champagne!😁🥂) Anyway, it turns out, the brand-new double oven blew out!!! Why do things like this happen on Holidays??? Anyway, I was able to cook several dishes on the cooktop. We fired up two grills and cooked everything outside. Just like the pilgrims. Haha. I have to say, it was the first time we ever smoked turkey, and it was so good, now that is usually how we have Turkey on Thanksgiving.
My big takeaway; if we hadn't planned our dinner, it would have been a total flop and a ton of stress. Don't get me wrong, it was still stressful with all the in-laws at the house!!!
This day still wasn't as bad as Thanksgiving when we all got hit with the flu Thanksgiving morning. Someone (not saying who) came to our house two days before Thanksgiving with a sick child which started the entire disaster. Nothing worse than not being able to get out of bed and you have a houseful of people. But again, because of planning, everyone enjoyed the dinner. . . except Me and Amy!!!! Two days later everyone else got hit with the flu.
Start Planning!!!
Now is the time to start looking for those harder-to-find or specialty items. Also, if you are ordering pies or other desserts for Thanksgiving place the order early so you are ensured the baker will have it ready for you.
Don't wait until the last minute to get ready for Thanksgiving. The quick tips below will help with a stress-free Thanksgiving.
First Tip (and I think most important)!!
Plan your menu - Make the Grocery List - Shop!!!
Decide what you want for Thanksgiving dinner. And plan what leftovers you want to make after Thanksgiving. I know this sounds like a lot, but it's really very easy and really cuts out the stress. Plus, if you plan the leftovers you want it will give you more time to shop on Black Friday!!!!
When I say plan the dinner just make a quick list.
List out everything you would like to have. Then, later, cut the list back to what you really want to make. This is a fun easy way to really know that everything you want for Thanksgiving is on the table.
Our list looks something like this:
- Turkey
- Mashed Potatoes
- Gravy
- Stuffing
- Sweet Potatoes
- Broccoli Salad
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Corn Soufflé
- Green Bean Casserole
- Beet Eggs
- Adult Cranberry Salad
- Pumpkin Pie
- Biscuits
- Wine
- Wine
- Oh, and Wine 😁
Don't forget to include appetizers in your shopping list or, if you plan a special breakfast for Thanksgiving, make sure to add that in too. If you're having family and friends over, check and see if they want to bring something for dinner. I always find people feel good if they're asked and it takes pressure off you for the big day. Plus, if there is something that they really want for dinner they can bring it and share.
One time, a person demanded this yucky jello dish with marshmallows and tangerines, so I asked her to bring it, I didn't know how to make it and wasn't going to "figure it out" the day of the big dinner. The worst part is that salad is the only thing she gave her kids (nothing else) for dinner. Just big scoops of jello... It was a little odd (I don't know why you'd want your kids all jacked up on just sugar, but hey, to each their own).....and it left more turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes for us.
The point is; if there is a special request that you don't know how to make (or have never heard of), most likely, the person requesting it knows how to make it best. Let them bring it for everyone (or just their kids) to enjoy. This way, your guest gets what they want AND you don't have to stress about finding, learning, shopping, and making a new recipe! Win-Win!
Print out all the recipes for the dishes you are going to make. This will give all the ingredients required. We have highlighted links below for recipes on our blog.
Groceries!
Before building your grocery list make sure to pull all the recipes. Then pour yourself a glass of wine. Review those recipes and decide; do you really want to make that dessert that takes 3 hours or that side dish you've never tried?? Take an honest look at all the recipes and strategize your approach. See if you can make some dishes a few days before and freeze them. You might decide some of the choices are just too much hassle. Or, if you're having family and friends over for dinner, ask one of them to bring the hard dishes! That's called delegation. Haha
If you review all the recipes you know what it's going to take for dinner. Some things can be made ahead of time and when someone asks if they can bring anything you'll know exactly what to tell them to bring.
Start the List of ingredients needed for Thanksgiving Dinner. Determine how much of each item is needed.
- Turkey
- How Big of a Turkey do we want
- Mashed Potatoes
- Number of pounds
- Russet or Yukon gold potatoes
- Butter
- Milk
- Gravy
- How many gallons do you need to make!!!
- Flour
- Milk
- Additional Chicken Broth for more gravy
- Stuffing
- Bread
- Celery
- Onion
- Butter
- Chicken Broth
- Broccoli Salad
- Broccoli
- Cream Cheese
- Mustard
- Craisins
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Sugar
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Acorn Squash
- Feta Cheese
- Corn Soufflé
- Cream Corn
- Eggs
- Jiffy Mix
- Green Bean Casserole
- Green Beans
- Mushrooms
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Milk
- Crispy Onions
- Beet Eggs
- Eggs
- Beets
- Adult Cranberry Salad
- Fresh Cranberries
- Vodka
- Can of Tangerines
- Strawberry Jello
- Pumpkin Pie
- Pie Shell
- Pumpkin pie mix
- Whipped Cream
- Biscuits
- Wine - Red and White!!!
- Then the staples, Salt, Pepper, Butter, Spices, Etc
After we make the above list we check the cabinets to see if we have any of the ingredients. Then we cross everything off the list we don't need. This helps ensure we don't have to make an additional trip to the store because we thought we had enough of everything needed. Then, we put the list in order of where it is in the grocery store. You would be surprised how much time (and money) it saves if items are in the order of the grocery store.
If you don't have enough casserole dishes, don't forget to buy disposable pans for cooking things like stuffing/dressing, pies, and other dishes. This saves time!
We make grocery store sections to list everything in:
- Produce Area (veggies and fruit)
- Meats
- Cheeses
- Bread
- Center of the store (all canned foods and spices)
- Frozen Section
- Milk, Juice, and Eggs
- Wine and Beer
Leftovers
Ok, I know it might sound dumb to think about what you're going to do with the leftovers before you have the first bite of Turkey. But it's not!!! 😀Think about it, if you plan your leftovers now, you don't have to go to the grocery store for a good week and you will have great food!!!
Some of our favorite leftovers:
- Turkey Pot Pie
- Enchilada Casserole
- Turkey Flautas
- Air Fryer Chimichanga
- Turkey Sandwich (yes, you need to buy white bread!)
Get your Refrigerator and Freezer Ready
Organizing and cleaning out your freezer before you go to the grocery store gives space for things like pie crust, biscuits, frozen veggies, and other freezer items. Plus, it makes room for those Thanksgiving leftovers!!
OK, I don't know about you, but I really hate cleaning the refrigerator. So, Thanksgiving is always that push for me to clean out and toss all those old salad dressings and sauces that we are never going to use or, that have passed their expiration date.
For me one of the biggest stresses on Thanksgiving day is not having enough room in the refrigerator to put everything away after dinner. I just want to put it away and go watch a football game or take a nap! OR both!
Decide on a cooking schedule and determine what dishes and pans are needed.
As I mentioned, the key to keeping stress down is getting organized and maybe a glass of wine! Set up a day-by-day cooking plan. And then an hour-by-hour cooking plan on the big day.
Our schedule includes the name of what we are cooking, how long it takes to prepare and cook. Don't forget each recipe may need different oven temperatures.
The first thing I do is determine what time we want to serve dinner. Then work the schedule backward from that time.
When the schedule is finished I will know exactly what time I need to start preparing each dish and when they should go into the oven.
TIP: If you need 3 chopped onions. Chop them a few days before and place in plastic bags. Mark the bags for what recipe they are to be used in.
Don't forget to preheat the oven when you start prepping the food. Decide what dishes can be baked together.
After the schedule is finished decide what casserole dishes you need for each recipe. I actually use a sticky note to label each casserole dish, pan, and serving bowl/dish with the name of what will go into each one. Make sure to also pull out the serving spoons and forks for each dish.
New Recipes
If you are going to make something new. Try it out a week or two before Thanksgiving. I have tried to make things on the big day to find out no one likes the dish. And trying to force kids . . .Adult kids to eat Brussel Sports isn't fun. 😄 On top of it all, I figure out I didn't like them either! Just try out the new recipe first. It gives you an idea of how long it takes and if it will be enjoyed.
Other things to think about before the Big Day
Thanksgiving isn't about just preparing for the big dinner! If you have a plan and schedule of what needs to happen on the days leading up to Thanksgiving, the day itself is more enjoyable.
Think about everything that needs to be done and when it needs to be done. It will make everything much easier for everyone. Make a list of what everyone in the family needs to do. Get the kids involved, they will love to help out.
Here's a sample of some things that might need to be done:
- Are you going to use cloth napkins? Make sure they are all washed and folded. And make sure you have enough for everyone
- Do you need a centerpiece
- Set the table
- Get out all the serving dishes and label what they will be used for
- Vacuum
- Dust (yes, all the fun things)
- Don't forget to thaw Turkey!!!!!
HAVE FUN!!!!
Don't stress over this dinner. The most important part of the day is to enjoy the people you are with. It doesn't matter if the dinner is for two people or 20 people. Just enjoy the time, and remember, you're building memories and that's what's important.
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