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    Home » Family Encouragement

    How to prepare Thanksgiving dinner without the stress

    Published: Oct 27, 2016 · Modified: Nov 7, 2024 by Candi Elm · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Thanksgiving food on a table.

    Thanksgiving comes before you know it and I want to show you how to prepare Thanksgiving dinner without the stress, or at least the smallest amount of stress.

    With these tips and recipes, you can now sit with your loved ones and enjoy the day knowing you have planned everything to the last detail.

    Order your own 18 page Thanksgiving Planner to stay organized.

    Burlap Cloth with dried fall flowers

    How to Prepare Thanksgiving Dinner

    There are lots of things to plan, things to buy, dishes to wash, write out the menu and maybe you are even expecting overnight guests. I like to make some of our family favorites and then make a few special recipes that I might find on Pinterest.

    I like to keep track of what worked and what didn’t work each year. In doing so, it makes each new Thanksgiving run more smoothly.

    Sometimes I find a new recipe that I prefer so I switch it up. I always like to add a new dessert also.

    Using this timeline will keep everything in bite-size pieces that you can do with little to no stress. I also created a 50 Things to be Grateful For journal page that you can print out for all your guests to take home or even fill out during their visit as a keepsake to your Thanksgiving.

    What does a traditional Thanksgiving Menu Consist of?

    Oven Roasted Turkey by Yellow Bliss Road

    Green Bean Casserole by Dinner then Dessert

    Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes by Spend with Pennies

    Cranberry Sauce by A Day in Candiland

    Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes by Add a Pinch

    Stuffing Casserole by Savory Sweet Life

    Desserts

    Pumpkin Pie by Wild Wild Whisk

    Pumpkin Creme Brulee by A Day in Candiland

    Cherry Pie by A Day in Candiland

    Timeline for planning

    2 Weeks Before Thanksgiving

    • Plan how you will cook the turkey and what size it will be.
    • Create your menu using the printable above.
    • Choose dishes to match your menu.
    • Check kitchen equipment and meat thermometer:
    • Delegate dishes:
    • Clean your oven:

    7 Days Before Thanksgiving

    • Make two shopping lists: One is for items that are non-perishable. One for the day before items that need to be fresh.
    • Check for ingredients: expiration dates, salt, pepper, and ice.
    • Clean out your refrigerator: You will need all the extra room you can get.

    6 Days Before Thanksgiving:

    • Thaw your Turkey: Defrost the turkey in the refrigerator now.
    • If you forget and wait until the day before, defrost in the sink according to the directions on the package.

    Monday of Thanksgiving Week:

    • Shopping Trip for perishables.
    • Turkey: if it’s frozen start defrosting.
    • Defrost: Start defrosting anything else that you’ve made ahead and frozen.
    • Dishes to make now: Cranberry sauce, gravy, hard-boiled eggs for deviled eggs or potato salad, and pie crust.
    • Things to prep: Chop up vegetables and bread for stuffing.
    • Launder all linens and Wash all dishes:

    The Day Before Thanksgiving

    • Make your desserts: Make your pies and desserts and get those done and out of the way.
    • Wash salad greens, trim green beans, and generally take care of as much vegetable prep as you can. Make your salad dressing now too.
    • Things to consider making ahead: If you have the time, make your stuffing and other casseroles today.
    • Set the table.

    Morning of Thanksgiving

    • Get Turkey In Oven:
    • Reheat any pre-cooked sides 1 hour before serving
    • Bake Rolls
    • Make sure you have plenty of ice
    • Make Whipping Cream
    • Heat up pies
    • Make Iced Tea and Coffee
    • Make Punch
    • Clean up the kitchen before the guests arrive.
    • Ask a family member in advance to help keep track of the bathroom and trash areas for cleanliness.

    If you enjoyed this Thanksgiving Menu Timeline try these other Fall and Thanksgiving tips.

    • Fall Recipe CookBooks

    More Family Encouragement

    • How a Self-Care Planner Helps You Prioritize Your Health
    • Empowering Words of Encouragement for Women
    • Prioritizing Your Well-Being: How a Self-Care Checklist Can Help You Stay on Track
    • What is a Tea Ministry?

    Fall Recipes, Family Encouragement

    About Candi Elm

    Candi Elm is the recipe developer and food photographer at A Day In Candiland where she has been sharing Encouragement, Recipes, and Afternoon Tea Ideas since 2012. Candi currently lives in Southern California with her family and enjoying life to the fullest.

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    1. Nikki says

      November 02, 2016 at 3:19 pm

      Wow! You put a lot of thought and planning into your dinner. I’m normally making a list and menu the weekend before. I also don’t eat meat, so I haven’t done a traditional holiday meal in quite some time! Love the printable though! So cute.

      Reply
    2. Kerri says

      November 02, 2016 at 4:50 pm

      I have a friend who could totally use your schedule. She always gets so overwhelmed. This might help her plan better and enjoy the holiday.

      Reply
    3. Milena says

      November 02, 2016 at 5:40 pm

      I love the printable. I usually end up writing things on several scraps of paper then have to fish through them for what I want. This makes it so simple!

      Reply
    4. Jasmine says

      November 02, 2016 at 6:26 pm

      That printable is perfect alternative to me writing on the back of blank envelope! lol Such a cute way to prep for the big gathering.

      Reply
    5. Keikilani says

      November 03, 2016 at 9:21 am

      This is a really great resource for a busy day! I know how easy it is to forget little things when you are hosting thanksgiving.

      Reply
    6. Laura Funk says

      November 03, 2016 at 10:24 am

      I am cooking my first turkey this year and I am so nervous. I am going to start defrosting like 10 days before lol! Thank you for the tips, I will definitely put these to use

      Reply
    7. Miz Helen says

      November 18, 2016 at 9:11 am

      Congratulations!
      Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us. Enjoy your new Red Plate and come back real soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
      • Candi Elm says

        November 18, 2016 at 10:19 pm

        Thank you, how exciting. I noticed some referral traffic from you.

        Reply
    8. Marisa says

      November 18, 2016 at 9:55 pm

      Great post, I love how you spread it out over the week prior, Usually we all rush to get it done the day before!

      Reply
      • Candi Elm says

        November 18, 2016 at 10:18 pm

        Thanks, it helps a lot. I have already bought my groceries.

        Reply

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    I’m Candi, a recipe and all things Tea blogger. I create family-friendly recipes along with sharing encouragement in your daily life.

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