Thanksgiving dinner can make even the most organized people anxious. Holiday meals, in general, require an abundance of time, energy, and effort. Here are ten ways to ensure your Thanksgiving meal is prepared and executed smoothly.
1. Create a game plan.
Grab a notebook, your calendar, and your favorite pen, and brainstorm every Thanksgiving detail you can muster. Taking an hour out of your day to plan now will save you a lot of time later.
2. Cross off dishes you don’t need to make.
Who’s bringing what? Designate a dish for each person to bring. This will significantly reduce your prep/cook time.
3. Figure out which dishes you need to make yourself.
Now that you know what you don’t need to make, you can start planning what you do need to make. Print our recipes and stash them in a folder for easy reference.
4. Make a grocery list.
Once you’ve compiled your recipes, create a grocery list. Organize your shopping list according to departments: dairy, produce, canned goods, etc. You may need to make more than one trip, so don’t fret if you forget something.
5. Prepare your appliances and serving dishes.
Which appliances will you need to use? Do your serving dishes need to be washed? These are all great things to keep in mind before the big day.
6. Figure out what prep you can do.
What prep can you complete before Thanksgiving day? Baking pies, chopping vegetables, and preparing casseroles are all things you can do the day before.
7. Schedule your shopping and prep work.
When will you complete the prep work? Schedule time in your calendar to begin preparations. Try to leave Wednesday open for anything you might have forgotten.
8. Think about drinks.
It’s often easiest to allow guests to help themselves. Set out various beverages – like soda, water, and wine – over ice. If you’re hosting a large crowd, fill some coolers with ice and let people grab their own bottles.
9. Decorate.
Minimum decor is perfectly acceptable. Grab a tablecloth and a simple table accessory (like flowers), and voila! Sometimes, simplicity is key.
10. Plan for leftovers.
Instead of handing out your personal Tupperware, buy some foil containers so guests can take leftovers home. This way, you won’t have to worry about getting your Tupperware back.