The Count Down Begins – the final preparations for Thanksgiving Day…
The Weekend Before –
Finish shopping except for anything that needs to be absolutely fresh. If you are serving any raw vegetables, you want to buy those later. Same goes for breads and rolls.
If you don’t have a feather duster, or microfiber cloths, or some pledge Wipes or something like that, get some for quick dusting.
If you haven’t ordered bakery items, do it now!
Give the house a really good cleaning so all you have to worry about is picking up and touching up.
Wednesday night-
Cut up any fresh vegetables. Put in the refrigerator in zip lock bags. Or in the case of celery or carrots, put in water. Especially if you make the fancy curly cuts, radish roses and such. The cold water actually makes the curls happen. I know, nobody does this anymore. Not even me. But they are really cool looking.
Vegetables do start to lose nutrients the moment you cut them open. So nutritionally it would be best to not cut the vegetables yet. But unless you are really good at this big dinner stuff, I would suggest getting as much done the night before as you can.
Potatoes can be cut and placed in cold water in the refrigerator too.
Make any salads, jello molds, deviled eggs, stuff like that.
Make sure desserts are completed.
Put tablecloth on the table. Set out dishes and silverware. Cover with a towel to keep clean.
Check to make sure turkey is almost thawed.
Wash turkey roaster. I use a foil roaster and just pitch the whole mess when we’re done.
Get a good night’s sleep.
We’re getting down to the wire! Not to worry though, you have it under control.
The shopping is done.
You’ve done a thorough housecleaning.
The baking is either assigned, or done
Now we ease into the final stretch …
Print out these checklists and keep them handy to keep you on track!
Wednesday night –
____ Finish any baking.
____ Make sure turkey is thawing nicely. If not, put it in the kitchen sink in cold water for a couple of hours. Move it back into the fridge before going to bed. DO NOT leave it out.
____ Wash the good dinner dishes, silverware, and glasses. Put them on the dining room table. Don’t forget serving dishes and coffee servers. Cover with towels so they will stay clean.
____ Make any jello molds and cold salads.
____ Cut up any fresh vegetables. Store in zip lock bags.
____ If you make your stuffing from scratch, prepare bread.
____ Do a once over on the house. Vacuum, dust, wipe down the bathroom.
____ Get a good nights sleep.
I know, a lot of people make more ahead and reheat. To me, that’s like eating leftovers!
You got this!
Time and money saving tip – you can order all of your non-perishables from Walmart and pick them up for free on orders over $35. Or you can join Walmart+ and have them delivered. I’ve gotten spoiled with this service. That’s why I’m a Walmart Partner.
