Thanksgiving is the biggest meal of the year, and no doubt a busy week ahead with turkey to cook, sides to make, and vegetables to prepare, it’s easy to get stressed. Plan ahead so you can enjoy the holiday as much as your guests will. Here are our top 10 tips for making it less stressful, so you can focus on what matters most.
- Create a plan and make a list.
- We store our list on our phones so when we go to the store, we are sure not to forget anything. When things get busy that’s when our memory goes.
- Clean out your refrigerator ahead of time.
- Make sure you’ve got enough room for your turkey, whether you’re buying fresh or if it will be thawing in the refrigerator. This might mean that you need to adjust shelves, so plan accordingly.
- Remember to take a frozen turkey out based on weight ahead of time
- 4-12 lbs. should take 1-3 days
- 12-16 lbs. 3-4 days
- 16-20 lbs. 4-5 days
- Prep what you can ahead of time
- You can make pie crusts or bake dinner rolls and freeze them ahead of time. Turkey gravy, sweet potato casserole, and mac & cheese are other dishes that hold up well in the freezer if you make them ahead of time and just rewarm them. Some items like green bean casserole and cranberry sauce actually taste better when the flavors have had time to marinate and become even more flavorful.
- Ask guests to bring a side or dessert
- Guests want to help, so let them bring their favorite side dish, dessert, drinks, rolls, etc.
- Stay away from new recipes
- There is no need to add stress wondering how it will turn out, or if it will turn out. Now is the time to stick to your tried and true.
- Clean as you go
- Empty the dishwasher so it’s ready to go, you can run the 1st load while you are eating then it will be ready to go for the tableware.
- Containers for leftovers
- Disposable cupcake tins make for perfect individual leftovers and your guest can pop them right in the oven to reheat.
- Decorate ahead of time
- Set the table now, get it out of the way, and that one less thing for the big day. So you know you have everything you want to use out and ready and avoid panicking on the day if you are missing a knife or mistakenly used your serving dish prepping in the kitchen.
- Focus on why you are celebrating
- Giving thanks for what we have, making memories with family and friends. Take time during the week to make a list of what you are thankful for. Not only is it a great way to focus on positives during times of stress, you may find that keeping this list and looking back throughout the coming year provides comfort on days you may need it.
We wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings this year, the bright company of good friends, the joy of a happy family and wonders of the holiday.
