With so much emphasis on preparing for the meal-turkey, centerpieces, table settings, finding enough chairs and even who sits where-many first time Thanksgiving hosts forget to make plans for efficient clean up. With just a little planning, clean up can be a snap and you can squeeze in that post-Thanksgiving meal nap.
As you analyze what you are serving for your first Thanksgiving meal, decide what can be made in disposable containers. From aluminum turkey roasting pans to deep-dish pans for yams, veggies or rolls, purchasing disposable pans will allow you to toss when they are empty, saving scrubbing for another time. Also, be prepared with enough dish detergent, scrubbers, garbage bags and wiping cloths. Don't forget to make sure you have plenty of storage containers with fitting lids for leftovers. If you're sending food home, pick up some disposable containers.
Many Thanksgiving meal dishes can be prepared anywhere from several hours to a day before the actual event. When you can make a few things the night before and refrigerate them, that's a lot less dishes you'll have to do after the Thanksgiving meal. As you are preparing dishes just before the meal, clean up as you go. It's easier to wash the few things you've just used than to add them to the eventual pile of dishes you'll get after dinner.
Start right after dinner is over. Whether you encourage everyone to head to the TV room for some football or ask your spouse to start a game for everyone, don't put off doing the dishes and cleaning up. Spills on the table, floor and dishes are always easier to deal with before they dry out and get crusty. Also, leftovers need to be refrigerated pretty quickly for safety reasons. You'll likely get offers from several people on how they can help, so put them to work. The saying "many hands make light work" is true when it comes to Thanksgiving meal cleanup. Assign someone to clear the table, another to prepare leftovers and a few more to load the dishwasher or start hand washing. After it's all done, shoo everyone out while you quickly sweep or mop.
For stubborn stuck-on foods that won't come off quickly, be content to let them soak for a few hours. Simply fill the container with hot water and let the food soften for easier cleaning later. Also, realize that there are some things that can be left for later. If the dishwasher is full and running, rinse and stack the rest of the plates, glasses and silverware in the sink and wait until the current load is over. Spend time with your family and friends rather than hand washing dishes that the dishwasher can do eventually.
 | Cooking Thanksgiving dinner is no easy feat. There's the turkey, of course (or some other largely important main course, if yours is a family that dislikes turkey), which takes up a great deal of time. |
Thanksgiving cupcakes deserve to be dressed up for the occasion. Treat your family to cupcakes eloquent enough to grace the dinner table at the White House and yet silly enough to satisfy a preschooler. |
 | You have successfully roasted your turkey. It is the definition of perfection. But, at this stage, you need to know something about turkey carving because the last thing that you want to do is start hacking up the turkey. |
 | Start strategizing over your Thanksgiving side dish recipes first when planning the big meal. That way, you'll feel less stressed when you sit down to the holiday table. |
A great Thanksgiving dinner can be healthy and satisfying for your guests. Here are suggestions for a low-fat Thanksgiving dinner menu. |
