Hold Your First Thanksgiving Dinner Without Going Crazy

Whether you committed to hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner in a moment of generosity or insanity, the big day (and the stress that goes with it) is all yours. Fortunately, with a little organization, you can host a successful event with confidence.

Planning Thanksgiving Dinner
The first step in planning Thanksgiving dinner is to determine how many people will attend. This crucial bit of information will determine everything, from what size of turkey you'll need to table settings and chairs. Realize that people tend to overeat on the holiday, so plan on more food than you might normally need at a regular dinner party.

Sending out invitations is a fun way to get guests excited about the dinner and will also give them an opportunity to RSVP to you. Since Thanksgiving travel can be difficult, guests will appreciate that you're thinking of them ahead of time. Smart hosts also use this opportunity to ask guests to bring something to the dinner, such as a simple appetizer or light dessert. Invitations should go out approximately three weeks before the event.

A To-Do List
A few weeks before, it's a good idea to sit down with a notebook and write down all the things related to hosting the dinner, from tablecloths to turkeys. Don't limit planning to just the Thanksgiving meal, either. Write down tasks such as cleaning the house, shopping and even raking the yard. Once the to-do list is complete, assign a schedule to each item. Many tasks can be done several days before the holiday, while others must be done the evening before or that morning.

No Thanksgiving planning would be complete without a menu. Go ahead and draw from family favorites as well as new recipes, but the rule of thumb is to keep it simple and make what you can ahead of time. Create a separate grocery list from your menu, then watch the newspaper ads. Grocery stores will place many Thanksgiving-related items on sale in the week or so before the holiday, so, if you have a master shopping list all ready, you might get some great savings.

Thanksgiving Timeline

One week before:

• Evaluate the table and chair situation. Arrange to get more of what you are lacking, either by purchasing or borrowing them. Don't hesitate to ask one of your guests to bring a few of their chairs if you are short.
• Determine a seating arrangement.
• Examine your dishes, silverware and glasses. Make sure you have enough for everyone, or arrange to purchase or borrow more. For example, if you find yourself short, ask one of your guests to bring their dishes and set your table with a creative mix-and-match look.
• Locate the linens you'll be using (tablecloths and napkins), and get them washed and pressed. When they're ready, stash them away until they're needed.
• Purchase the turkey within the next few days. Most people plan on 1 to 1.5 lbs of turkey per person, and a turkey needs approximately 20 minutes per pound to cook (based on a 325-degree oven).
• Buy any canned goods or non-perishable items that you'll be using on Thanksgiving Day.
• Start preparing decorations for the house. Store these in a safe place until the day before.
• Make a centerpiece for the table, but be sure it's low enough so that guests will be able to see over it. If you are using fresh flowers, wait to pick them up the day before.
• Make any side dishes that can be frozen until the big day. By making them now and thawing them out the day before, you'll save yourself a lot of time and energy.
• Clean out the refrigerator and get rid of any existing leftovers. You've got to make room for food you make in advance and for leftovers.

A day or two before:

• At the grocery store, pick up last-minute items, as well as perishable food you'll need.
• Make as many dishes as you can, as long as they will store well. Dips, pies and other desserts are good candidates for this type of early work.
• Bring out any dishes you made last week and defrost them in the refrigerator. They'll be ready to go by tomorrow.
• Fill up butter dishes, salt and pepper shakers and any other condiments you'll need for dinner.
• Deep clean the house, including the guest bathroom and the kitchen.
• Decorate your house. If you have young children, they'll be happy to help.
• Go ahead and set the table the night before. From the glassware to the centerpiece, having that task finished means you have everyone seated where you want them and prevents well-meaning guests from trying to help out at the time when you need the kitchen most.
• Set out all your serving dishes on the table the night before, along with appropriate serving utensils. It will save you some last-minute hassle during the final moments of cooking.

The morning of Thanksgiving:

• Do a quick pickup of the house as needed.
• If drinks need to be chilled, make sure they are in the refrigerator or on ice.
• Start cooking the turkey and prepare any other dishes needed.

Remember, the goal of all this planning is to allow your guests to enjoy good food and good company and to express gratitude for each other. If your dinner accomplishes this, it's a success.