Let's talk turkey!

I love the cute saying, "Gobble 'til you wobble!" and I'm certainly one that will most likely follow it. LOL!

We all know that Thanksgiving is the 4th Thursday of the year. Every year. How old were you when you learned that?? Yeah, I was an adult. 😜

That being said, be prepared. It's not like the date is a secret and someone sprang it on you last minute. SURPRISE!

Follow along as we get our ducks in a row for a well-prepared holiday.

First Things First

Count backwards. In order to be prepared for each step of the way, use a timeline countdown. Most Thanksgiving countdowns start about 4+ weeks before the holiday and list out what to do the weeks before, several days before, day before, and day of.

My timeline countdown starts 4 weeks prior to Thanksgiving. So if you are just starting to follow that now, you’ll need to do a little catching up.

Have a place to put your planning

Here is a folder I made a while ago. Ok. Like 2007. Backstory - the short-ish version: Mr. Wonderful and I always ate at Krista's Restaurant in Cornish, Maine, for Thanksgiving for years and years so 2008 was the last time I actually cooked/hosted. Krista’s had the best Thanksgiving dinner - all the traditional food but all fancy pants upscale. They did all the amazing cooking, we got leftovers, and they did the dishes. Win win for us! So I guess I would say the easiest thing to make for Thanksgiving is reservations. BUT now that we moved to Tennessee and I cook Thanksgiving dinner again, this planner will come in handy.

Here is an inside shot of the folder. Just a simple plain ole folder from the office supply store. Nothing fancy. Left pocket. Right pocket. But if you want more pockets, you can have more. Feel free to keep the guest list, menu, recipes, seating chart, and other papers you will need each in their own section. If you have just two sections, paper clip the same papers together (eg: all the recipes) and you can put a sticky note at the top that can be used more like a tab. Find the right thing that will work for you, whether you need two pockets, four pockets or more. But get the most basic thing that will do and that you will use.

What's for dinner? Who's coming?

These two go hand-in-hand.

For most people, the menu is traditional. But there's room for new choices for sides and desserts. For me, I don't care what the other choice for dessert is as long as pumpkin pie is on my plate! With all the Thanksgiving recipes out there, both online and in print, you have so many options to choose from!

Who's coming and what are they bringing (if anything). Make a list to keep it all organized. It's so much easier to see it if it is all written in one place. A blank piece of paper or notebook paper will be just fine. You can get all fancy schmancy and do it on the computer if that's your thing.

Once you know who is coming (and if they are bringing anything), you'll be able to determine quantity. Again, there are a ton of resources to determine how much turkey for each person (hint: 1 pound but more if you want leftovers).

My list from 2008! The last time I hosted dinner in Maine.

Recipes. Recipes. Recipes.

Once you know who's coming and you have a menu, print out any recipes you need. Instructions too.

Thanksgiving Preparation Recipes from Be Neatly Organized

Follow the Plan

As the time draws nearer to the big day, keep on track by using your timeline checklist. Since you have everything planned out, making any minor adjustments are easy plus you will avert anything major that could arise.

Enlist in Help

Don’t feel the need to be a martyr and do it all. That’s no fun, completely stressful, and not necessary. Get over the perfectionist thing. Really. Even though you may be driving the bus, you also need to be flexible enough to go with the flow. If nobody volunteers to help then delegate. Sometimes people don’t know what to do to help and think that they will be in the way.

A Note About Platters, Dishes and Serving Utensils

One thing I do for every big event that I plan is to grab some sticky notes and a marker so I can designate what food is going where on the table (or side table or buffet) and in what dish/platter/bowl and the serving utensil that goes with it.

I pull out all the serving dishes and serving utensils that I will need for every food item on the menu. I write each food item on a sticky note and either put it in the dish or at the spot on the table where the dish goes. I set the serving utensil with it.

If someone is bringing a food item, ask them to bring the serving utensil with it along with the proper dish/platter/bowl that it will be served in. Because you have a sticky note as a placeholder on the table, they know exactly where it should be placed.

A Note About a Buffet Line

The helpful hint about about putting a sticky note as a placeholder for each food item applies to a buffet line but is even more important. The proper ‘flow’ matters. Place the plates first (obviously), then salads, followed by main items, rolls and condiments, and desserts last. Desserts may be held until after the main meal then switched out when it is time to serve them. Utensils and napkins may either be at the very end of the buffet line or they may already be placed at the guest’s seat. It’s very hard for guests to hold their plate, napkin, silverware and still try to dish out their food. Have a separate beverage station to ease congestion in the buffet line.

Enjoy the Day

Once Thanksgiving finally arrives, enjoy your day. You’ve worked hard to prepare and cook and to make everything lovely. Say grace. Give thanks. Savor the meal and the memories. Take photos. Be present.

End on a Positive Note

At the end of the day, when the company is gone, the dishes are done, and you have a moment to reflect, write down what went well and what you want to do differently next year. Had too much of one thing and not enough of another? The new side was a big hit? Need to add a step in the process? Write it all down before calling it a day. Save your folder for next season so you do not have to reinvent the wheel.

I’d love to hear your Thanksgiving traditions and must-have favorites! What do you give thanks for?

Interested in my Thanksgiving Timeline Checklist? Click below:

Thanksgiving Timeline Checklist - Page 1 of 2

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!