Preparing your Thanksgiving dinner takes a lot of planning. It can be stressful, to say the least! How can you make your dinner successful, especially when you have a large group? By laying out a planning strategy that works, of course. Let's look at some ideas and tips for planning your holiday meal:
10 Days Prior To Thanksgiving:
About 10 days prior to Thanksgiving, or at least one week, get your list together of folks who are invited and contact anyone you haven't spoken to as yet. This will give you plenty of time to prepare for the amount of food and seating. Be sure to jot down next to your guest list names any special food needs or dishes that anyone is bringing to the meal.
Plan the size of your turkey once you have your guest list made. You will want about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey for each guest. Choose a bit larger turkey if you want a lot of leftovers. Decide now whether you want to buy a fresh turkey or a frozen turkey. You may want to order a deep fried or smoked turkey from a market or club.
Deciding upon your final menu should be completed at least a week before the big day. Consider the number of people you will be entertaining and if you have children on your guest list, try to plan a couple of special dishes or treats especially for them.
The Week of Thanksgiving:
The week of Thanksgiving is the time to stock up on necessary items from the grocery store. You can make certain items in advance such as bread or rolls, and freeze them until Thanksgiving morning. Also make sure you have supplies such a napkins, cups, etc.
The Countdown To Thanksgiving Day:
With just a few days before Thanksgiving, prepare some items beforehand to save a bit of time during the final rush.
Wash and cut up onion and celery for your stuffing or other dishes now. Prepare your cranberry relish or other hors d'oeuvres and store in zip lock containers. If you have food items that can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days, now is the time to get those foods ready. Certain side dishes do just fine prepared the night before Thanksgiving. Stuffing and Green Bean Casserole are two items that can be put together and stored in the refrigerator overnight, all ready and waiting for you in the morning. Now is a good time to make your desserts, like pies. Food items that need to thaw before cooking, like frozen side dishes, should come out the night before Thanksgiving and placed in the refrigerator.
Make sure you have everything on your shopping list in your kitchen at least 2-3 days before Thanksgiving morning.
Time to plan the day's games. If you have children in the house, be sure to include them in deciding what games to play. Get out the decorations for the table and the house. If there are any special Thanksgiving serving pieces, now is the time to get those out onto the kitchen counter. Don't forget to take care of your special linens now, too. Wash and iron them if necessary now to prevent having to do that at the last minute!
If you have purchased a frozen turkey, take it out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator 3 days prior to cooking to give it plenty of time to thaw. Following the thawing instructions on the turkey to the letter.
Thanksgiving Morning Is Here:
It's Thanksgiving morning and you are all set! Your turkey is thawed and ready to stuff. Figure out the timing to roast your turkey using the time table on the packaging. Prepare your bird, stuff it, and get it ready for the oven in your roasting pan. Plan your side dish cooking schedule. Prepare any side dishes and desserts that you were unable to prepare overnight; peeling potatoes, etc. Wash dishes as you go to prevent a pile up during dinner.
Now it's time to set the table, and take a break! Enjoy the aromas already wafting through your house... that is the smell of a wonderfully planned and prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Good for you! You have successfully created a memorable Thanksgiving without all the stress. Go light the candles and relax with your guests!
10 Days Prior To Thanksgiving:
About 10 days prior to Thanksgiving, or at least one week, get your list together of folks who are invited and contact anyone you haven't spoken to as yet. This will give you plenty of time to prepare for the amount of food and seating. Be sure to jot down next to your guest list names any special food needs or dishes that anyone is bringing to the meal.
Plan the size of your turkey once you have your guest list made. You will want about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey for each guest. Choose a bit larger turkey if you want a lot of leftovers. Decide now whether you want to buy a fresh turkey or a frozen turkey. You may want to order a deep fried or smoked turkey from a market or club.
Deciding upon your final menu should be completed at least a week before the big day. Consider the number of people you will be entertaining and if you have children on your guest list, try to plan a couple of special dishes or treats especially for them.
The Week of Thanksgiving:
The week of Thanksgiving is the time to stock up on necessary items from the grocery store. You can make certain items in advance such as bread or rolls, and freeze them until Thanksgiving morning. Also make sure you have supplies such a napkins, cups, etc.
The Countdown To Thanksgiving Day:
With just a few days before Thanksgiving, prepare some items beforehand to save a bit of time during the final rush.
Wash and cut up onion and celery for your stuffing or other dishes now. Prepare your cranberry relish or other hors d'oeuvres and store in zip lock containers. If you have food items that can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days, now is the time to get those foods ready. Certain side dishes do just fine prepared the night before Thanksgiving. Stuffing and Green Bean Casserole are two items that can be put together and stored in the refrigerator overnight, all ready and waiting for you in the morning. Now is a good time to make your desserts, like pies. Food items that need to thaw before cooking, like frozen side dishes, should come out the night before Thanksgiving and placed in the refrigerator.
Make sure you have everything on your shopping list in your kitchen at least 2-3 days before Thanksgiving morning.
Time to plan the day's games. If you have children in the house, be sure to include them in deciding what games to play. Get out the decorations for the table and the house. If there are any special Thanksgiving serving pieces, now is the time to get those out onto the kitchen counter. Don't forget to take care of your special linens now, too. Wash and iron them if necessary now to prevent having to do that at the last minute!
If you have purchased a frozen turkey, take it out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator 3 days prior to cooking to give it plenty of time to thaw. Following the thawing instructions on the turkey to the letter.
Thanksgiving Morning Is Here:
It's Thanksgiving morning and you are all set! Your turkey is thawed and ready to stuff. Figure out the timing to roast your turkey using the time table on the packaging. Prepare your bird, stuff it, and get it ready for the oven in your roasting pan. Plan your side dish cooking schedule. Prepare any side dishes and desserts that you were unable to prepare overnight; peeling potatoes, etc. Wash dishes as you go to prevent a pile up during dinner.
Now it's time to set the table, and take a break! Enjoy the aromas already wafting through your house... that is the smell of a wonderfully planned and prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Good for you! You have successfully created a memorable Thanksgiving without all the stress. Go light the candles and relax with your guests!
About the Author:
Are you a mom who would rather play than cook? If so, you won't want to miss FreeQuickRecipes.com where youll find healthy meals for mothers and others.
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