The ULTIMATE Checklist for Hosting Thanksgiving-Part 2
Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year or you are a seasoned-pro, organization & planning is key for hosting a stress-free meal! I gathered all of my notes from previous years and have consolidated them into The Ultimate Thanksgiving Hosting Checklist. This is the exact list I have for myself to use every single year, and I hope it will be helpful to you! Every day there is a small task to check off to avoid overwhelm on Thanksgiving Day! Depending on your schedule, you may prefer to do the week’s tasks over the weekend. This is great, too! Do what works for you!
I have broken the checklist into three weeks, and will be sharing the specific details for each step for that week. I am also including a downloadable version of the full checklist with broader descriptions so you can look ahead at what is to come! We are officially sharing the Week 2 plan! Check back here next week for Week 3’s details for each step! Happy Planning!
Thursday, November 14th: Make the Ultimate Shopping List. List every single item you will need to purchase. I like to use my notes app on my phone to refer back to every year. Next year’s you, will thank this year’s you for putting in all the leg work! This will also keep you from fighting your way through the grocery store crowds after forgetting that one crucial ingredient.
Friday, November 15th: Shop for Non Perishable Food Items Now. Avoid the out-of-stock blues and purchase your non perishable items now! Think canned green beans, nuts, marshmallows, and frozen cool whip. I love relaxing and knowing part of my Thanksgiving shopping is already done!
Saturday, November 16th: Inventory your lines and serve ware. Did your casserole dish shatter last year? Time to replace it. Make sure you have enough flatware and napkins for every guest attending.
Sunday, November 17th: Wash and dry those table linens! Don’t wait until the day before or the day of when you already have enough on your plate! Have your table cloth and napkins ready to go. Hang up your table cloth in the closet until you are ready to use it!
Monday, November 18th: Write our your cook time schedule. This is the number one thing I credit to making hosting Thanksgiving day stress free! I work backwards from the time I plan to serve and use my recipe cook times as a guide. Our family typically eats our Thanksgiving meal at the same time every year, so this is another thing I add to my Thanksgiving notes app! Make sure to leave room in your schedule for fun traditions like Turkey Trots or watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Tuesday, November 19th: Plan how you will send guests home with leftovers. The disposable foil muffin tins have been successful for our family, as they allow for perfect portions and come with lids for easy transport! When your guest is ready to reheat their leftovers at home, they can simply pop them in the oven and will be reminded of the wonderful Thanksgiving feast they had in your home!
Wednesday, November 20th: Make dessert clean up a little easier with festive paper plates and napkins! While you are at it, grab some for this year and grab a second stack to stash away for next year! Head to your local Home Goods or Target for some of best options. Pro-Tip: I shop off season for these for more options. You can start seeing options at Home Goods in August!
With just a few minutes a day leading up to Thanksgiving, you will be able to host the best, stress-free meal with your favorite people! I stick to this very schedule myself every year, and it truly allows me to enjoy the event with zero stress!
Does organizing your kitchen for the upcoming holidays feel too overwhelming, or maybe you just flat our don’t have the time? We offer organizing services that can get your kitchen in tip-top shape for hosting season! Check out some of our previous projects with before & after pics here.
Hosting overnight guests for the upcoming holidays? We are ready to help complete your guest room! If you are missing a few pieces here and there, a Design Day service, would be a perfect option! We offer this service both in-person and virtually, so location is not an issue! Send us a message to get started today!
