Relax! Find Out How Thanksgiving Stress Can be Avoided!

 
Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner. I’m not sure about everyone else, but I’m definitely looking forward to a home cooked meal, family, friends and football! Although many of us may be relying on someone else to do the Thanksgiving Day preparations, at some point in your life it may be your turn to host this joyous day! To help alleviate some of the stress from your preparations I have researched some tips and created a guide on what to do so that your home is perfect for the holidays and that you don’t forget anything!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

** In case you have never been to summer camp, please refer to the diagram below on how to properly set a formal dinner table!

Prepping begins one to two weeks in advance. Yes, believe it or not do not wait until the last minute to begin your planning.

1. Make a list of your dinner guests

This is important because you always want to over plan then under plan for your dinner. For me personally, I plan to not eat the night before Thanksgiving and snack lightly the day of to make room for that feast. Not enough food and an unprepared table can lead to some unhappy campers.

2. Make your shopping list

If you plan out your menu and your shopping list early, this will help alleviate the stress of panicking and running around trying to figure out what you are going to make the day before. This way you can make sure you know how everything needs to be prepared and you aren’t making your hubby run to the grocery store thanksgiving day to grab the oh so famous cranberry sauce.

3. Make a cooking schedule and time table

This step may seem a little excessive, but come on you want to enjoy a glass of wine and relax while cooking on Thanksgiving. This is a day to be thankful, not a day to be thankful that the holiday is almost over. Making a time table will help you prepare your Thanksgiving meal accordingly so you aren’t sweating over your food attempting to add extra flavor…

4. While you’re at it, clean out your fridge

Time to get rid of the old food and prepare for the new. Making sure you have enough room in your refrigerator will allow you space to add in all of the tasty goodness you have planned on your menu, (Refer to step 2) At this time you can also go shopping for your non perishable goods, this also means your frozen turkey. About four days before your Thanksgiving dinner, begin to thaw your turkey. Believe is or not, those bundle of joys can actually take up to 6 days to thaw all of the way through depending on the weight. Do your research and find out how big of a turkey you will need for the amount of guests you will be having, and find out how long it will take to thaw. This will allow for easier cooking and tastier turkey.

About four days before your Thanksgiving dinner, begin to thaw your turkey. Believe is or not, those bundle of joys can actually take up to 6 days to thaw all of the way through depending on the weight.  Do your research and find out how big of a turkey you will need for the amount of guests you will be having, and find out how long it will take to thaw.  This will allow for easier cooking and tastier turkey.

Now for the important days, this includes the two days before counting down to Thanksgiving Day.

1. Clean your house

Sorry, I know you’re too busy focusing on the dinner portion of the evening, but where do you expect your guests to relax and enjoy Thursday night football if there are kid toys, dog hair, and stacks of newspapers lying around. Pick up your house, put out some decorations and make an enjoyable environment.

2. Set up your dining room table


Setting up your perfect dining room in advance or at least a day before will allow you time to learn how to set it up properly, and so you don’t have to worry about getting dirty turkey hands on your chinaware.

3. Buy your perishable items

This can also be done a day before to avoid last minute runs and lines to your nearest super market. This is to avoid any molding or items going bad before the big day.

THANKSGIVING DAY!

1. Wake up early to begin your day of cooking, family and friends
2. Most importantly enjoy!

Don’t forget about the meaning of Thanksgiving and why we are all gathered together.