Organize Thanksgiving Day

Despite the fact that the in-laws are in town, the turkey is cooking, your kids are home from school, the side dishes are in the oven, the dog is constantly jumping up trying to get a bite of something, and more people are arriving by the minute, you actually can be cool, calm and collected.

The following turkey day tips will help you organize Thanksgiving: plan the day, run things smoothly, finish with flying colors and allow you to enjoy every bit of it!

TURKEY DAY PREP

The following time line will help you get started.


End of October

• Print out this page and put it in your Thanksgiving folder (this is your time line of how to organize Thanksgiving and acts as your to do list, add to it when necessary)

• Check out Real Simple's Cheat Sheet, print necessary information and put it in your Thanksgiving folder (these tips will truely help you organize Thanksgiving)

• Make a guest list of those you intend to invite (and put it in your Thanksgiving folder)

• Gather addresses you don't already have and make/order invitations

• Send out invitations by Halloween with an RSVP date of no later than the second week in November (this is important for serving sizes, chairs around the table, etc.)


First Week of November

• Decorate the house with fall decor (this sets the positive mood for the month and inspires you to organize Thanksgiving with some gusto)


Second Week of November

• Tally the responses from the invitations you sent out and call those that haven't replied (follow up with them to be sure of whether or not they are coming)

• Develop your menu and gather corresponding recipes (all of which should reside in your Thanksgiving folder)

• Create your grocery list: use the recipes you gathered, examine the expiration dates on items you already have, and take note of the things you are missing (don't forget spices, condiments, etc.)

• Check your inventory and make a list of missing items (which will also live in the Thanksgiving folder): dishes, utensils, glasses, disposable pans, disposable tupperware (to give guests left overs), aluminum foil, saran wrap, ziploc bags, festive napkins, cookware, chairs, tables, decorations, table linens, candles, music


Third Week of November

• Clean/organize the house thoroughly from top to bottom (i.e. vacuum, dust, launder linens, wash windows, purge piles)

• Get the inventory list (that you made last week and put in your Thanksgiving folder) and stock up on the items you are missing

• Clean out the refrigerator and freezer to adequately accommodate groceries and left overs

• Have all family members freshened up with haircuts and new Thanksgiving day outfits if necessary (this includes cleaning/grooming pets!)


Beginning of the Fourth Week of November

• Get the food shopping list (which is also in your Thanksgiving folder) and go to the grocery store

• Do as much cooking in the beginning of the week as possible (for an easy reheat on Thanksgiving day)


The Day Before

• Gather random items lying around the house and put them in their proper places

• Prepare the turkey and all side dishes (so that all you have to do tomorrow is stick them in the oven)


Turkey Day!

• Set the table

• Light fragrant candles (guests love a fresh smelling home)

• Relax while you wait for your guests to arrive and enjoy the day's festivities: you CAN organize Thanksgiving day, so thankful!

CLEAN UP

The big day is here!

You are thankful you read an article on how to organize Thanksgiving and planned accordingly.

You are thankful that your family is healthy and eating a delicious meal together.

You are thankful for the good times you've experienced and those the future holds.

You are thankful the dog didn't get to the turkey before the guests did (you are thankful you didn't leave it on the counter unattended; you are thankful you learn from your mistakes).

You are thankful for vacations, macaroni and cheese, your job, your days off and for life so far...

Let's add something to the list - easy and quick Thanksgiving clean up!!!

There is such a smorgasbord of planning, cooking, purchasing, inviting, setting and decorating going on before the delectable day that not much thought is put into what happens after the meal. With the following tips, however, you will clean up and be lounging on the couch before you can say gobble!

Wash as you go. While cooking, you want to wash items as they become unnecessary for the rest of the preparation. For instance, clean all the things you used to chop, grate, sift, mix and stir while your masterpiece is in the oven.

Use heavy duty paper products. Rather than scrubbing dishes all night long, buy some fun holiday paper/plastic plates and flatware. This is especially accommodating for the youngsters at the table!

Disposable pans are better. The toughest stains are on pots and pans, especially after cooking a turkey. Why deal with it? Purchase some disposable cookware and clean up with ease.

Food for all. Wrap up some of the leftovers for yourself, but let the rest go. Buy some disposable or inexpensive food storage containers for the guests to bring home and keep your fridge clutter-free!

Now repeat after me, "I am thankful for this easy and quick Thanksgiving clean up!"