we’re one week out from Thanksgiving and i wanted to share with you guys how i plan. this will get you Thanksgiving ready if you’re hosting. our Thanksgiving menu this year will be roasted turkey, gravy, classic stuffing, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, rice, honey roasted carrots, mac & cheese, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and chocolate cake. i think every Thanksgiving dessert table needs something chocolate. 

Saturday, November 19 – Day 1 

clean and organize your fridge, freezer and pantry and make room for your big grocery haul. 

print or write out your recipes – this way you can make your grocery list. the stores are really crazy during this time, so you really don’t want to forget anything. 

how many guests are coming? are they staying overnight? prepare the guest room and have extra bath towels on hand.  

Sunday, November 20 – Day 2 

it’s time to do the big grocery shop. i like to go early, 8am early. i grab my coffee and i’m out the door with my list. 

buy your turkey and begin thawing it in your fridge. we like to brine our turkey too.  some stores sell fresh turkey for a little more money if you go last minute.

don’t forget your twine and turkey baster. 

prepare your homemade pie crust and wrap it in plastic wrap and place in the freezer. if you don’t make your pie homemade, there are farms that sell really good pie. you can pretend you made it. 

do you have all of your baking dishes and serving dishes? i like to use Reynold’s disposable bakeware. this makes it so easy to clean up. 

Monday, November 21 – Day 3

figure out drinks to accommodate adults and children. 

i like to pre-order frozen rolls from Texas Roadhouse or Legal Sea Foods. 

get your tablecloth, napkins, candles all in order for your beautiful Thanksgiving table. 

Tuesday,  November 22 – Day 4 

this is when you should make your homemade gravy. store bought works great and saves time. 

think about any last minute tidying up that has to be done. 

Wednesday, November 23 – Day 5 

roast your sweet potatoes and place them in the fridge to use for the next day.  

you can either toast your bread for the stuffing or place in the oven. this can be stored at room temperature for the next day. 

don’t forget to take out your pie dough out of the freezer and bake your pies the night before. 

i’ll be making chocolate cake this year, so i’ll go ahead and make it the day before. most desserts can be made day before. it’s so important to consider oven time and temperature time because a lot of things bake at different temperatures and times. 

i like to chop and prep as many veggies i can the day before. for example, the garlic, onion, celery and carrots that i’ll use- the mirepoix for the turkey base. 

prepare your turkey by placing it in it’s roasting pan. put it on top of the mirepoix and slather it in it’s herbed butter. 

cut and prep all of your ingredients for your stuffing. like your chopped onion and celery. 

Thanksgiving Day! Thursday, November 24 – Day 6 

i like to lay out all of the recipes that i’ll be making in order. so turkey first. this way, i’m checking off as i go along. this also helps me to keep the ingredients i’ll be using together. 

it depends what time you’re having dinner that you would take the turkey out of the fridge to cook. since the turkey is the star of the show,  i prep and get my turkey in the oven first thing in the morning. this is so i can have time in the oven later on for the other recipes. 

while your turkey is roasting, prepare all other stovetop recipes like the stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, rice. the stuffing does need a bit of time in the oven in the end. 

when your turkey is done, you want to cover it tightly with aluminum foil and let it rest before carving, decorating and serving. 

30 minutes before serving, place all of your casseroles in the oven at 150 Fahrenheit. this way your guests are served a warm and delicious Thanksgiving dinner. 

additional notes: 

do you garnish your Turkey? don’t forget to buy extra herbs, orange, pear or cranberries for decoration. 

we always go around and say what we have been most thankful for the year. this usually involves some joyful crying. 

have some vanilla ice cream and whip cream on hand to have with the pumpkin pie. 

pick out your outfit early in the week.