| Here's a week-by-week, and day-by-day | | | | - If possible, set the dining table today. Cover the |
| countdown of things you can do in the lead up to | | | | whole thing with a sheet and forget about it. |
| Thanksgiving. You may not need to do all of | | | | - Now you can make dishes to keep fresh in the |
| them, or you may have extra you need to add in! | | | | fridge until Thursday. Anything that just needs |
| If you can do a little every week or day, you'll | | | | warming up or will cook quickly once the turkey is |
| have very little to do on the day and can really | | | | out of the oven is ideal. For example: |
| enjoy yourself. | | | | - Cranberry sauce or relish |
| Two Weeks To Go: | | | | - Turkey stuffing or dressing |
| - Invite your guests and confirm final numbers | | | | - Pies or pie crusts |
| this week so you know how many you are | | | | - Soups |
| catering for. | | | | - Casseroles |
| - Ask each guest to contribute something - | | | | - Bread and pastry |
| Remember, Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to | | | | - Put the wine, beer and soft drink in the fridge to |
| enjoy a shared feast, so it's fine to ask guests to | | | | chill. |
| contribute something. Just make sure you know | | | | Wednesday: |
| what they are bringing so no-one doubles up and | | | | - Do a final shop and buy the fresh ingredients |
| you find you have 4 pumpkin pies and no | | | | you need, like salad leaves and herbs. Don't forget |
| thanksgiving side dishes. | | | | to buy extra plastic wrap, aluminum foil, toilet |
| - Hire any catering supplies such as tables, chairs, | | | | paper, and paracetamol. They're always good to |
| glassware, cutlery, dinnerware, and serving | | | | have on hand. |
| platters you need. | | | | - Today is a good day to bake any pies and side |
| - Order your turkey. | | | | dishes you have left to do. |
| - Take half an hour to go through your menu. | | | | - If you ordered a fresh turkey, pick it up today |
| Make your life easier by choosing some recipes | | | | and put it straight into your refrigerator. |
| that can be made ahead, some to be served | | | | - Pick up or take delivery of any hired catering |
| cold, and some that can be cooked at the same | | | | goods today. |
| time as your turkey. | | | | - Write up a quick list of your dishes for |
| - Make sure your turkey will fit in your oven. Also, | | | | tomorrow so you can work out what has to go |
| If you have to take out most of the shelves to | | | | into the oven and when. If you are worried about |
| fit an enormous bird in, then you'll have to | | | | fitting it all in, remember that your BBQ (if it has a |
| organize to have your side dishes precooked, or | | | | hood) can be used to bake the turkey or to bake |
| able to be cooked while the turkey rests. | | | | and reheat your other dishes. |
| - Shop for non-perishable goods now, like flour, | | | | - Give the house a quick spruce up. |
| sugar, frozen cranberries, alcohol and soft drink. | | | | What To Do On Thanksgiving Day: |
| One Week To Go: | | | | - Preheat the oven as soon as you get up. |
| - Give the house a thorough clean now so that all | | | | - Stuff the turkey and get it into the oven |
| it needs closer to the day is a bit of a spruce up. | | | | according to your recipes instructions. |
| - Wash the tablecloths and napkins, and the dinner | | | | - Get any dishes into the oven that need to cook |
| setting and glasses you want to use. | | | | with the turkey. |
| - Check the roasting dish for the turkey and | | | | - Prepare any dishes that had to wait until the last |
| make sure it's in good condition and large enough | | | | minute and any vegetables that will cook alongside |
| for the job. | | | | the turkey later - they can be covered and put |
| - Shop for all the pumpkins, squash, potatoes, etc | | | | into the refrigerator until needed. |
| to get them out of the way. | | | | - Take the dust sheet off the dining table and add |
| - Stock up on cream now. Remember last year | | | | any finishing touches you like. |
| when you couldn't get what you wanted? Don't | | | | - Take desserts or any other dishes that need to |
| miss out this year. Buy it early. It'll keep in the | | | | be served at room temperature out of the |
| fridge for a couple of weeks (check the date on | | | | refrigerator. |
| the container). | | | | - Remember to delegate as much as you can. |
| - Cook any bread rolls or dishes that can be | | | | People are happy to help so let them! |
| prepared ahead and frozen. | | | | - Once the turkey is roasted, cover it in a foil |
| Monday: | | | | tent and leave it to rest while any remaining |
| - If your turkey is frozen, take it out of the | | | | dishes are baked or warmed. |
| freezer this morning and put it in your fridge to | | | | - Make the gravy. |
| thaw. It's really important to thaw your turkey | | | | - Are there any dessert pies that can be baked |
| carefully and thoroughly. | | | | or warmed while you have the main courses? Put |
| - Continue to cook any dishes that can be | | | | them in the oven now. |
| prepared ahead and frozen. | | | | Enjoy yourself. Happy Thanksgiving! |
| Tuesday: | | | | |