It’s almost here. The day when we cook our tails off and stuff ourselves silly! But if we aren’t careful, it can get out of control really quickly. That’s why you need a game plan. A checklist that tells you what you need to do and when so that you can have a stress free holiday. Here is my Thanksgiving Game Plan. ( I even created a handy printable for you!)
A week (or the weekend) before:
Wine! You need to buy the wine. Unless your family doesn’t drink (ha ha) and then you need to buy the soft drinks.
The turkey! You better have this by the weekend before Thanksgiving because you need time to let it thaw. Unless you are getting a fresh one, and in that case, it better be ordered.
Place settings! Make sure you have enough plates, glasses, silverware and dishes. Plus the table cloth or placemats and cloth napkins.
Buy all the non-perishable and/or frozen items on your list.
3 Days before:
Place the frozen turkey in the fridge to thaw.
Shop for all the other items on your list.
2 Days before:
Make the cranberry sauce.
Prep any vegetables that you will need.
Set up the bar.
Get out all of your service dishes.
1 Day before:
Make dessert.
Boil potatoes for mashed potatoes.
Set the table.
Assemble appetizer trays. (If you follow my Thanksgiving Questions Answered about appetizers, you will only be serving crudités and a charcuterie plate)
The Day Of:
Pour yourself a cup of coffee because you will need it to power you through!
Start prepping your side dishes in mid-morning. Mash the potatoes, cook the green beans till just still crisp, assemble the stuffing. Get everything ready to go in the oven because it will be a mad dash once the turkey is done.
Start cooking the turkey between 1 and 2 pm, depending on its size, for 5 pm service.
Set up the appetizers.
Make sure your bar is stocked and ready to go.
Shower and change because the guests are coming.
At about 3-4 pm (depending on when your turkey is done) start cooking the sides.
Make the gravy.
Carve the turkey.
Call everyone to the table.
Serve extra dessert to the family member that toasts you for doing all the hard work! 🙂
How badly do you need that checklist? I made a handle little printable for you so you can take it where ever you go. You can download it here and here.
