I love Thanksgiving. Growing up, it was probably my favorite holiday– and that means a lot, for a kid to choose Thanksgiving over Christmas! My uncle lived in New York City, and we spent each year crammed into his tiny apartment on Columbus. We’d watch the Wizard of Oz, have Chinese food, and go watch the balloons being inflated for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For a few years, my aunt lived in the same building and we’d make the turkey in one kitchen and ride the elevator with it to have dinner in the other.
Thanksgiving has always meant a lot to me; and it has always meant family. For two years pre-pandemic, we hosted Thanksgiving in our home. It was a very full-circle moment for me and it was very special. While we are not back to having a celebration on the same scale as before, we will be having a small gathering this year and I could not be happier.
As shown by my extensive fall preparation to-do list, I am a planner. I have made notes on scrap paper for Thanksgiving prep over the years, but this year I’ve decided to go digital LOL! These are the tried and true timeline tips I use for Thanksgiving hosting, from my home to yours.
Today (Monday before Thanksgiving):
- Pick up your turkey if you’re getting it fresh
- Review the dishes you plan to make and create a day-of baking schedule
- Prepare your guest room for any overnight guests; change bed linens and add any other special touches
- Put out any non-perishable decorations like wreaths and throw pillows
- Take out any special place settings, glassware, serving dishes, and platters you may need
Tomorrow:
- Shop for perishable ingredients if you haven’t already
- Take delivery of floral centerpiece or pick up flowers for making your own. I find a good selection at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s!
- Cube bread for stuffing
- Prepare brine, if you are brining your bird
- Assemble and refrigerate any casseroles you plan on having
- Complete any light housekeeping
- Iron or steam table linens
- Put beverages in fridge
Wednesday:
- Assemble the stuffing and refrigerate it
- Peel the potatoes needed for mashing, put them in a bowl covered in water, and refrigerate
- Brine your turkey, if that is your plan
- Bake the desserts
- Set the table
- Make sure guest bathrooms are stocked with paper products
Thanksgiving Day:
- Remove turkey from fridge for 1-2 hours before putting in the oven
- Preheat oven, put turkey in
- Watch the parade and dog show!
- Do any last-minute housekeeping like vacuuming and tidying living areas
- Make mashed potatoes
- Bake stuffing, casseroles, and any vegetable sides
- Make cranberry sauce
- Make gravy
- Enjoy the day!
At the end of the day, any celebration with your family is a perfect celebration. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself and enjoy your family!
Do you host Thanksgiving? What dish do you most look forward to?
[…] to me! Thanksgiving food is one of my favorite kinds of foods. I even enjoy planning out our week-of countdown! With that being said, this is what’s on our Thanksgiving menu this […]