It pays to be prepared to avoid long grocery lines, stress, and mishaps! It also helps you keep the joy and gratitude front and center throughout the holiday week.
Middle to End of October: Invite people for Thanksgiving. Leave room for flexiblity/add ons if you can. There is always someone who may need a place to go.
Early November: Check your supply of candles, tablecloths, napkins, glassware, matches, servers, kitchen utensils. Order anything you don't have. Make a meal and prep plan. I'm super visual and always create a roadmap like the one above.
2 weeks prior: Make anything that can be frozen! Sweet potatoes (without marshmallows), mashed potato casserole if you want to avoid making fresh the day of, creamed spinach, if making, a soup to have the weekend after thanksgiving. ORDER A FRESH TURKEY FOR PICK UP ON TUESDAY!
1 week prior: Buy all groceries that can be purchased ahead: sparkling water, cranberries, cranberries in a can, broth and extra broth, sparkling water, apple cider or other kid drinks, bottles of spring water (Aquafina has a nice orange label that looks nice for Thanksgiving), pecans, corn syrup, pre-made pie crust (if using), frozen rolls/biscuits, heavy cream (make sure the date lasts through Thanksgiving), apples for pie, nuts, chips or other nibbles for appetizers. Include a trip to the wine store for wine and champagne and liquor. If you are grilling or shucking oysters for appetizers (a great choice), order them now.
Weekend before Thanksgiving/Stuff: polish silver, pull out silverware, glassware, put candles in holders. Some stuffing recipes want you to dry out bread; if so, start now. You can do these things to get ahead: make pie dough, cranberry sauce, blanch green beans. Make an advanced turkey stock from parts of a turkey (this is really helpful).
SUNDAY: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! If you are purchasing a frozen turkey, start defrosting it on Sunday. Allow four days to defrost in refrigerator. Workaround and my preference: order a fresh Turkey for pick up in advance to avoid this hassle and space issue in the refrigerator.
SUNDAY: THIS IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT! If you haven't been able to do advance planning for whatever reason. Get up very early, go to the store and designate Sunday as your prep day!
Monday: Do some advance chopping: onions, garlic, shallots, green onions, and put in baggies in the fridge. Make cornbread for cornbread stuffing. Set the table.
Tuesday: One last and final trip to the store. BEWARE: Do not go Tuesday evening or Wednesday afternoon/evening to the grocery store. Please, please don't. The hassle is not necessary if you plan in advance. Chop vegetables for stuffing, gravy. Pick up things you have ordered (oysters, turkey, pies, bread, etc.). Trim and blanche green beans. If making gravy in advance make today.
Wednesday: Turkey: Brine (if brining) or let air dry in fridge. Make pies. Dry out bread or cornbread for stuffing. You may sauté vegetables for stuffing and put in fridge. Pick up things you have ordered that you didn't 'grab on Tuesday. If you need a last minute run to the store: GO EARLY! Review timing for Thanksgiving Day. Set up water bottles and wine. Chill white wine and champagne. Make a batch cocktail like an Old Fashioned.
Thanksgiving Day: Turn on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Review timing. Have light breakfast like yogurt and fruit or smoothie. Prepare Turkey. Make Kale/green beans. Prepapare stuffing. Make or warm and finish gravy with Turkey drippings. Make Mashed Potatoes, if making. Clean as you go! Put out appetizers. Grill oysters. Have cocktails and enjoy. As plates are cleared, put pies that need to warm in oven; assign someone to make whipped cream. Enjoy your friends and family, go with the flow, don't worry about spilled red wine or candlewax drips or broken crystal. People are more important than things.
Most important thing is that this is just a guide and obviously things can shift and change to suit your lifestyle. Basic advice is use the two weeks before to make things less stressful. In high stress years or years where you travel. PICK THINGS UP, including the Turkey. When Sarah was born on 11/4, we picked up the whole meal and had people over. Sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, additional roasted veggies all easy to pick up and taste good. Turkey is the toughest to get right but you will figure out what's available in your area or order Turducken. This way you still get to spend time with family and friends. If you live out of town, invite friends over and share your joy.
