Steph's Perfect Family Thanksgiving Checklist

3-4 Weeks Prior

• Determine your dinner menu. Consult web recipe sites, cookbooks and/or magazine articles for ideas. Don’t forget beverages.
• Begin listing, in detail, items needed for your dinner.
• Send invitations via snail mail or use Evite (www.evite.com) to send an invitation via email. You can track responses, send directions, updates and reminders.
• If you need to place a special order for a smoked turkey or honey-baked ham, place it now.
• Map out roles for event helpers and delegate by asking for their assistance before your dinner.
• Start making holiday decorations for your home, if you desire.
• Purchase paper goods, if preferred: cups, plates, napkins, etc..

2 weeks prior

• Finalize your shopping list.
• Make or purchase your centerpiece. Buy candles, if needed.
• Verify dinner guests and what they are bringing (if anything)
• If you need to place an order with your local bakery for rolls, pumpkin or other varieties of pies, place it now.
• Check your equipment, confirm you have enough for all your guests
  • Table (one large enough for all your guests)
  • Chairs for all of your guests
  • Dinner plates
  • Dessert plates
  • Coffee cups and saucers
  • Polished forks, knives and spoons
  • Water glasses
  • Clean wine glasses
  • Clean napkins
  • Tablecloth (large enough to fit your table)
  • Roasting pan: Is it the right size for your turkey? Will it fit into your oven?
  • Bowls, pots and serving platters
  • Trivets
  • Bread basket
  • Sauceboat
  • Gravy pitcher
  • Well-sharpened knives

1 week prior

• Do your grocery shopping a week ahead of time to help avoid the rush.
• Defrost your turkey (if it's frozen).
• Allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds if defrosting your turkey in the refrigerator. For example, a 15-pound turkey will take three full days, so start on Monday.
• HINT: If you miss that deadline, you can defrost the bird faster in a sinkful of cold water. Plan for about half an hour for each pound of turkey and change the water occasionally. (A 15 pound turkey will still take 7 1/2 hours, so do it after work on Wednesday, then refrigerate it.)

1 day prior

• Clean your house (or hire someone to do it).
• Decorate your house with holiday decorations.
• Settle on a seating arrangement and make place cards.
• Make and refrigerate any dishes that you can.

Morning of dinner

• Plan out and coordinate timing of dinner items so all are completed at the same time.
• Be sure to put the turkey in the oven early.
• Set the table.

When dinner event begins

• Greet guests and invite them into your home.
• Lay out the food and beverages.
• Light candles.