Checklist for Hosting a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner

The only Thanksgiving Day checklist you’ll ever need!

Ever since the first Thanksgiving after my marriage 27 years ago, I have LOVED hosting Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, throughout all those years, there have been only a handful of Thanksgiving Days when we did NOT host friends and family.

Even though I’ve always loved my home being the gathering place for this holiday, I was always stressed out and harried during the early years. In recent years, I have developed a system (as close of a system as a slightly disorganized person can create and adhere to!) to make the day less stressful and more enjoyable. Today I’ll share with you my Thanksgiving Day checklist that will help you to enjoy a stress-free holiday!

Free Printable Thanksgiving Day Checklist (CLICK  HERE  TO  DOWNLOAD  PDF)

4 WEEKS BEFORE THANKSGIVING

-Invite your guests. The Tablers love having family for the day, but we also include friends who don’t have family close by.
-Begin planning out your centerpiece and decorations and start purchasing items you’ll need. (Click here and here for ideas!)
-If you have a housekeeper, schedule her for the Tuesday or Wednesday of Thanksgiving week before everyone else books her!

3 WEEKS BEFORE THANKSGIVING

-Reserve tables, chairs, tableware and silverware if you have a large group joining you.
-Determine the size of turkey you’ll need for the day, and decide if you want turkey leftovers.
-Purchase a frozen turkey and store it in your freezer, taking note of when and how you must thaw it safely. Or, order a fresh turkey to be picked up Thanksgiving week.
-Check to make sure you have all the spices and other staples you’ll need for the meal.
-Create your Thanksgiving menu and considering what guests (who offer) could bring. If guests ask me what they can bring, I usually ask for an appetizer, a side dish, dessert or wine. I’m too busy with cooking and last-minute details to make appetizers. I enjoy cooking. Baking? Not so much. So I’m thankful when someone else shows up with pie. For guests who aren’t in a position to cook or bake, wine is the perfect assignment for them.

2 WEEKS BEFORE THANKSGIVING

-Can any of your Thanksgiving side dishes, desserts, breads or rolls be prepared in advance and frozen? Now is the perfect time to do that.
-If you will be using silver serving ware or flatware, take a day to get it all polished up.
-Purchase everything except items that must be fresh. Get your frozen foods, soda, tea, coffee and canned goods out the way now. Nothing is worse than finding my favorite frozen rolls or the chopped frozen spinach for my Spinach Madeline are sold out Thanksgiving week!
-If you are planning on having a bar, this is the time to stock it. Tom and I love to serve a signature drink when we entertain. Research fun signature Thanksgiving drinks on Pinterest.
-Decide how you will cook turkey and make preparations if needed. We have a VERY small kitchen now, so I’ll be using a turkey roaster in a room other than the kitchen!

1 WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING

-Iron your tablecloths and napkins.
-Decide on your napkin fold or napkin rings and make your place cards if you will be using them. You can find one cute place card idea here.
-Completely clean your refrigerator from top to bottom so you’ll have plenty of room for your Thanksgiving foods and leftovers.
-Check back to remember which day you must start thawing turkey safely.

2 DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING

-Purchase the rest of your grocery list, which should only consist of fresh items like produce, cheese, meats, coffee creamer, juice and flowers. Be sure to also purchase everything you need to make your turkey leftover recipes. You certainly don’t want to go out to get those items on Black Friday!
-If possible, go ahead and set your table now.
-Make your pies and cube bread for stuffing (let it dry but do not make stuffing in advance).
-Wash produce.
-Calculate your turkey cooking time.

1 DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING

-Set out all your serving ware and place a strip of paper in each piece that will remind you what you will be serving in it.
-Make certain your turkey is thawed completely.
-Make side dishes that you haven’t already prepared and frozen.
-Thaw any dishes you prepared that are in the freezer.
-Take a little time to do something relaxing for yourself.

DAY OF THANKSGIVING

-Prepare stuffing
-Pre-heat oven and cook turkey
-Cook and mash potatoes, then keep them in a crockpot set on low.
-An hour before dinner, fill water glasses with ice. The ice cubes will melt down to a smaller size just in time to pour fresh water in each glass.
-While turkey is cooling in its juices, heat side dishes and make gravy.
-Carve the turkey.
-Take desserts out of the refrigerator.
-Place all the food on a buffet or the table.
-Gather everyone around the table to offer thanks to God.
-Sit and enjoy the beauty of sharing such a wonderful meal with those you love!

Click here for your free, printable Checklist for Hosting Thanksgiving.

xoxo,

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