Thanksgiving is around the corner. I can't believe it! I started to prepare this past weekend for the enormous meal we prepare each year for a family.
This year, we will have some of our staple side dishes like Chestnut Stuffing (modified for our vegetarian guests) and brine Turkey, pumpkin, and apple pie. But, this year, we will try a new cranberry sauce, vegetarian soup, and string bean recipe, among other dishes. Yummy!
Here are five tips on getting your home ready for Thanksgiving:
Plan, Plan, Plan
Make a list of what you will have for your meal in advance. I like to do this at the end of October to make sure I plan for the money and time I will need to get all the stuff completed in time for Thanksgiving. I make a list of the dishes by course. Appetizer - Antipasto, Main Course - Turkey (brine style), etc...
Create a sheet that has 4 columns on it.
1. Add the title of the recipe in the first column.
2. In the second column, for what course it will be used for. This could be for the main course, the appetizer, the sides, or desserts. Making a note of the recipe and what the course is will help you determine what you still need to add to this massive Thanksgiving dinner.
3. Then, the last column would be for ingredients that you need to buy because you may have some ingredients already in your pantry. Check there first before adding the ingredients to the list.
4. Indicate if you have the item by checking the X column.
Here is an example below of how you should write it out.
| Recipe Name | Course | Ingredients for this recipe | X |
|---|---|---|---|
To save money, go online and find coupons for the staple items you need for your dishes.
Pie crusts, pie filling, and many other items always have coupons this time of year. Shop early for these items - some coupons will expire by Thanksgiving.
Coupons.com is a great place to look for manufacturers' coupons.
Also check the grocery store app to make sure you load up all the coupons on there that you need.
Check the pharmacy store apps too. They sometimes have these items cheaper than the grocery store because they don't want to keep too many things in stock for too long.
To save even more money, buy bulk items and use coupons!
These items include butter, flour, sugar, etc... Thinking ahead on what items you plan on using in December will make it easier when you start the busy holiday hosting season.
Check out this post 50+ Freezable Foods That Will Save You Time and Money by Andrea Dekker for more items you may want to freeze before they are sold out during the Thanksgiving.
Look through and inspect linens and ensure all your supplies are in good shape.
Over the years, items can look worn, and there may be ones that have cracks or scratches on them. Review these items and make a "To Buy" list, and remember to buy early.
Visit your nearby discount store for replacement items.
Since retailers start selling holiday stuff, the Thanksgiving entertaining items are usually on discount. Check there first before going to a more expensive store.
Check out what I did last year for my Thanksgiving Table using old linen towels from my grandmother. MAKING A TABLECLOTH FROM ANTIQUE LINEN TOWEL AND LACE TABLE RUNNER
Gather your platters and other serving dishes/utensils and put them in one place.
Go through and match up a serving utensil with each platter. Ensure you have enough plates, glasses, silverware, etc... for all your guests. If you run short, add it to the "To Buy" list.
Create a buffet for the Thanksgiving party if you have a crowd coming over.
Pick an area that has a lot of room on both sides. This will allow your guests to walk around the buffet and help themselves more quickly.
Visit our other THANKSGIVING PARTY PLANNING TIPS MADE EASY post for tips!
Visit our recipes for a crowd for some recipe ideas:
Company coming?
If you have company staying with you, ensure clean towels and set up a bed for them. I like to decorate the house and the room our guests stay in with various fall decorations. If your items are worn, add them to the "To Buy" list.
Buy two to four complete sets of towels (hand towel, washcloth, bath towel) when they go on sale to only use for company.
Place them in the linen closet away from all the other towels. I like using the top shelf for these towels.
If you want even more tips, check out these additional posts to help you get your home ready.
Thanksgiving Prep List by Real Simple
Easy Organizing: Your Thanksgiving Table Settings by Good Housekeeping
Well, I hope this helps you make your Thanksgiving less stressful. With a little planning, you will have a successful day.
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon, and at no additional cost, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
William Rusho
No one comes to my house for Thanksgiving. I do however, think these are wonderful tips for anytime you have company, or an event. Thanks for sharing this with us.
RoseMary Griffith
You are so much more on the ball than I am with your lists! I may take them to heart this year, though. It's the first Thanksgiving my brother and his wife are able to join us, so I must think up things from our childhood that will delight him (and our other guests, of course!).
Marquita Herald
Excellent tips that are useful for the entire holiday season. This will be the first Thanksgiving in many years I'll actually be with family because living in Hawaii made it pretty difficult. Now it's just a quick flight or not-so-quick (but much more fun!) road trip. Looking forward to it!
Emily
Being Australian, I've never celebrated Thanksgiving but it sounds like a wonderful holiday filled with lots of food and judging by your list, lots of preparation! Though these tips can be applied to many holidays so I'll be sure to refer back to it next time. Hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving 🙂
Jeri
I've only prepared a few Thanksgiving dinners. Luckily, I tend to fly to my hometown and my sister put out a great spread 😉 I do like to take advantage of stores that offer free turkeys when a certain amount of groceries are bought.
Sushmita
Good Suggestions!
Although we here in India have less Thanksgiving Celebrations but there is a gradual rise in them and one can count on your suggestions very well, must say you are inspiring me to be more and more organised week by week.
Thanks for sharing!
Jeannette Paladino
I love Thanksgiving but it is a lot of work, no doubt. I'm lucky as I celebrate it every year with my stepson and his family and they do most of the work!
Mary
Love this post, Sabrina! I'm an avid list maker, so I'll be adopting your three column organized list idea for Thanksgiving and other parts of my life. 🙂 Gathering my platters, serving dishes and utensils is something I should have thought to do last year. When it was finally time to feast, I realized I didn't have enough serving dishes 🙁 That will not happen this year
Janet Barclay
I don't do much entertaining anymore either, but if that changes, I'll definitely refer to this post, as I probably wouldn't even remember how to begin!
Doreen Pendgracs
Hi Sabrina. Like Donna, I am Canadian and have already celebrated Thanksgiving. But your tips are wonderful and can be applied to any holiday or celebratory gathering. Thx!
Catarina
Good suggestions, Sabrina.
However, since we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Sweden I will not follow them until Christmas:-)
Phoenicia
My Sabrina - you are organised! Preparation for Thanksgiving and then again for Christmas, no doubt!
Here in the UK, we do not celebrate Thanksgiving as in the USA, for example a big dinner with all the family. We do celebrate at church with worship, dancing and lots of testimonies.
Donna Janke
Thanksgiving is long past for us Canadians. We celebrated in early October. Although traditions around the feast and gathering of loved ones are similar as in the U.S., my personal Thanksgiving celebrations have been more low key over the past couple of years and simpler to organize. This is great list of organizing tips should I do a more elaborate celebration in future years.