Hosting Thanksgiving? Check These 7 Things Off Your List Now for a More Relaxed Holiday
Hosting Thanksgiving? Check These 7 Things Off Your List Now for a More Relaxed Holiday
Blog Article
Thanksgiving is like the ultimate culinary event—packed with dishes and details that require careful coordination. However, with some preparation and planning ahead of time, you can simplify the cooking, serving, and overall holiday stress. Tackle these tasks now, and you’ll feel much more organized and less overwhelmed when the big day arrives.
Create a Thanksgiving Plan
Start your preparations early (even today if possible) to give yourself ample time to organize everything.
- Know What You Need
As you plan your Thanksgiving menu, make a separate list of all the ingredients, tools, and serving pieces you'll need for each dish and your hosting duties. Review what you already have and identify any items you still need so you can shop without the holiday rush.
- Ensure Everything Is Ready
Check your dishes and table linens, cleaning and prepping them ahead of time. This is the perfect opportunity to polish your silver and pre-wash anything that’s been gathering dust.
- Declutter Thoroughly
Take stock of how many kitchen tools and gadgets you really need. Sort through your cabinets and drawers to discard any extra, broken, or unused items. Also, don’t forget to check your pantry and spices—many of us unknowingly hold onto expired food. Clearing out these items will free up space for your Thanksgiving shopping.
Prep Your Kitchen
Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in the kitchen, it’s helpful to organize it for efficiency.
- Rearrange Your Pantry
Move frequently used items to eye level for easy access to everything you'll need. Organize pantry staples into labeled baskets and canisters. If you need to make space for holiday-specific ingredients, don’t hesitate to rearrange.
- Clear Counter Space
Maximize your available workspace by storing any appliances, ingredients, or decor that won’t be part of your Thanksgiving prep. If you’ve already set aside your holiday pantry items, consider using that space to temporarily store things like the toaster or Instant Pot.
- Set Up a Staging Area
If you have counter space, group ingredients for each dish the day before. This will help things run smoothly as you transition from one recipe to the next. It also recommends using glass jars and turntables for frequently used ingredients like salt, olive oil, and flour.
- Label Your Serving Dishes
Place sticky notes on each bowl or platter with what you plan to serve in it. This will make it easy for helpers to quickly and accurately transfer dishes to the table when time is tight.
By crossing these items off your list now, you’ll create a more organized, stress-free Thanksgiving! Report this page