Thanksgiving Made Easy

You just found out that it’s your turn to host a group of family and friends for Thanksgiving dinner. Your first inclination might be to feel overwhelmed, but the good news is, it doesn’t have to be. I have compiled some time-saving tasks that allow you to do the bulk of the work in advance. This way, you can enjoy Thanksgiving Day with your guests instead of being a slave to the stove.

Ask For Help in Early November

This may seem like a no-brainer, but the easiest thing to do is to plan your menu and guest list in early November. Once you have those two things determined, reach out to some of your guests and see if they could provide an appetizer or side dish from the menu you have chosen. (No, you are not a complete failure if you ask for help.) Plus, most people like to be able to make and share their grandmother’s version of a classic recipe. After all, it keeps the memories alive for them and ensures continuity through the generations.

Second Week of November

Determine what kind of place settings, table decorations and floral arrangements you will use for your Thanksgiving table. Make the calls to a local florist and organize the rest of your decorations, plates and silverware in boxes or containers so that you can remove them immediately and placed them on the table before the gathering. You don’t want to be searching for these items at the last second.

Four Days Before Thanksgiving

Begin defrosting the frozen turkey in the back of the refrigerator where it is coldest. Put together a shopping list of all of the food items that you will be providing. Purchase only the non-perishables on your list and organize them in a corner of your pantry so that you do not have to search for them when the time comes.

Two Days Before Thanksgiving

Make homemade relish and pumpkin pies. Cube the bread for homemade stuffing and refrigerate it. Make any of the casseroles that you plan to serve and refrigerate them.

The Evening Before Thanksgiving

Peel potatoes and put them in a pot of cold, salted water. Buy or prepare vegetable trays and homemade dips. Assemble cold-cut platters. Prepare yeast-based rolls that can rise slowly overnight.

Thanksgiving Morning

8am: Remove the turkey from the refrigerator, preheat the oven and prepare fresh stuffing.

9am: Put the turkey in the oven, setting a timer to baste it every half hour.

11am: Boil and mash the potatoes, bake the yeast rolls.

2pm: Defrost casseroles and pies and set aside for reheating.

3pm: When guests arrive, let them help with small tasks.

Enjoy a happy Thanksgiving!