Thanksgiving 2015: Less Stress, More Fun
Get your Thanksgiving celebration planned now, to reduce the stress in a few weeks.
- Plan your menu. Make a meal plan for Thanksgiving dinner and the other meals / snacks / hostess gifts / wine and other beverages that you will use during the Thanksgiving holiday. Start making shopping lists now so that you can shop the sales, and have time to hit different stores, or order on-line for your holiday meals.
- Order your turkey. Check the bird (or pig, or sheep, or whatever your main dish will be…) off your list by getting your order set with your butcher, local farmer, or market. Pre-cooked or smoked turkeys are a great option to reduce oven time; reheat or serve cold.
- Stock your pantry and freezer. Make sure your pantry and freezer are stocked with your standards and holiday specialty items to accommodate entertaining and extra guests.
- Prep foods that can wait a few weeks. Many Thanksgiving foods can be made ahead and frozen to reheat on Thanksgiving day. We recommend recipes from the cookbooks: Ina Garten’s Make it Ahead, and From the Editors of Cook’s Illustrated, The Best Make-Ahead Recipe.
- gravy
- chutney, cranberry sauce
- mashed potatoes
- stuffing
- carrots and peas
Until the big day, you can get in the Thanksgiving spirit with a festive “Turkey” Lunch (pictured above) – it’s a lunchbox hit!
“Turkey” Lunch:
- Apple slice feathers
- Cheddar cheese beak and feet
- Whole wheat sandwich body (filling of choice)
- Candy eyes (find at Target, craft stores, grocery stores on the baking aisle)
Past Table365 posts with more Thanksgiving resources:
- Kimberly’s 2014 Thanksgiving dinner menu and recipes
- More Cheer Less Stress
- Holiday Appetizers
- Entertaining
Happy planning!
