Thanksgiving On Your Mind?

Thanksgiving On Your Mind? Ready Set Go

Thanksgiving On Your Mind?9 Things To Do Right Now to Ease the Thanksgiving Crunch

This is your year to enjoy Thanksgiving as much as or even more than your guests. This is the year you promised yourself you wouldn’t wait until the last minute. Start early and you’ll ease ease the Thanksgiving crunch. Here are 9 things you can begin doing today Thanksgiving On Your Mind?to bring more joy and less stress into Thanksgiving preparations. Find many more tips and suggestions in my much more detailed Thanksgiving Guide and Checklist to help pave the way for a most glorious Thanksgiving Day.

  When moments of stress do come your way, take three deep belly breaths. You’ll be amazed what a difference deep breathing makes.
  Paste this beautiful tribute to the cook from Michael Pollen somewhere that you can see it. Then read it when you need it.

“For is there any practice less selfish, any labor less alienated, any time less wasted, than preparing something delicious and nourishing for people you love?”

9 things to do starting now

  1. Finalize your guest list. Learn what food allergies or special diets any of your guestsThanksgiving On Your Mind? may have.
  2. Plan your menu balancing flavors, colors, fresh & cooked dishes along with oven & stove top requirements. If you want some new ideas, take a look at my Pinterest Thanksgiving board with photos of many of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Some of which are linked to below.
  3. Know who is bringing what dishes and beverages. Write it down.
  4. Gather all the recipes for the items you’ll be making.
  5. Recipes in hand, create a shopping list. Write down each ingredient in each recipe. Here’s an easy to use and downloadable Shopping List Template for your convenience. Consider highlighting, using a different color highlighter for each store, where you’ll buy each item. By noting and checking off each ingredient as you buy it, you can (hopefully) avoid last-minute trips to crowded stores on the night before Thanksgiving.Thanksgiving On Your Mind?
  6. Buy whatever you can in advance. From canned pumpkin to fresh cranberries, fresh spices and flours, onions, dried mushrooms, butter, turkey necks and wings, beverages, etc.
  7. Check your roasting pans and pots, serving platters and bowls, glasses, dishes, flatware, chairs, tables to see that you have enough of everything. Purchase or borrow the items you need.
  8. Wash and polish special linens, china, glasses and silver now while it’s still fun to do.
  9. Decide what you’ll wear and try it on. If needed, have it cleaned and pressed so your clothes are ready to be hurriedly slipped into moments before your guests arrive.

Want some help planning your menu?

Consider these Thanksgiving Day favorites.

Thanksgiving On Your Mind?

 

2 thoughts on “Thanksgiving On Your Mind? Ready Set Go”

  1. Thanks for the great advice, Janice! Common sense and elegant, as always.
    We’re just starting to plan for our 2015 Thanksgiving which will be special this year. We have a small crowd of 25 or so coming to town. Everyone except for the two new great-grandkids will help out with cooking and cleaning. We’ve gotten pretty good over the years at dividing up the chores, recipes, menu-planning and execution.
    Two of my lovely nieces married wonderful men who are expert cleaner-uppers! Very welcome additions.
    I’m going to share your incredible recipes and planning tools with the gang! I’ll let you know how it goes!
    Hugs,
    Christina in DC

    1. You’re so welcome, Christina. What fun, 25 for dinner! And knowing you, a fun time will be had by all. Do let me know how it goes, along with a photo or two. Thanks for writing xoxoxo

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