The No Stress Thanksgiving Planner | Best Planner for Turkey Day

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They say that Thanksgiving is the most challenging of all the holidays. Most of us will find a large group of friends and family adorning our dining room table. Trying to keep track of it all can be stressful, but with a solid plan of attack and a great Thanksgiving Planner, you’ll be well on your way to your best Thanksgiving.

If you’re in charge of hosting Thanksgiving at your home and you find that every year something is forgotten or you feel like you’re scrambling right up until the first person rings the doorbell, fret no more.

I’ve got a step-by-step plan that I’ve perfected over the years that keeps everything in check for me – and it will for you too.

But before we dive into the planning and preparations of Thanksgiving I want to say that Thanksgiving is my favorite of all the major holidays.

It’s the one time of the year we can really focus on other people and just enjoy the day reminding our selves of all we have to be grateful for. We don’t have to shop and wrap and maybe even go into debt just to swap gifts with friends and family.

Instead, we can just focus on the important people in our lives and celebrate how much they mean to us.

Ok, enough of the warm and gooey stuff…

On to the planning!

Make sure you grab a copy of our free Thanksgiving Planner!

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Table of Contents

THE GUEST LIST (Month Before)

Approximately one month before Thanksgiving, finalize your guest list. Think about how many people you can reasonably accommodate at your home for a sit-down dinner. Will you sit guests altogether or have adults at one table and kids at another. Figure this out before you start inviting everyone can be comfortable on the big day.

If you choose for a more casual event, invite more guests and go with a buffet.

There’s no need for formal invitations. Just email, text or phone your guests and make sure you ask them to let you know within a week’s time.

This is a great time to also check in with your guests about any dietary restrictions and request help with side dishes and desserts.

THE MENU (Month Before)

Today’s Thanksgiving feasts are more than just about the bird. Side dishes and appetizers are just as important in the overall menu.Start with your favorite turkey recipe and build your menu from there. Keep in mind your families favorite and classic dishes and consider adding a few new dish to the menu. Don’t forget to include drink options and appetizers that will pair well with your main menu.

TOOLS AND GADGETS (Month Before)

Don’t wait until the last minute to pick up a thermometer or turkey baster if you need a new one. Waiting to the last minute may mean you don’t have what you need to create your fantastic feast. Make sure you have what you’ll need to cook all aspects of the meal and that everything is in working order.

THE SHOPPING LIST (3 Weeks Before)

Around three weeks out is the time to start creating your shopping list. You probably have a good idea of whose coming. Write down each recipe and make a list of what you’ll need for each dish. If your guests are bringing food (side dishes, appetizers or desserts) make sure to keep them in the loop about how many people will be coming.

If you’re doing all the cooking yourself – bless you – but pick easier, big batch type recipes to make the day go more smoothly.

Once you go through each recipe, create a shopping list of all the ingredients you’ll need and compare it against the pantry items you already have on hand. Finalize the list so you can order hard-to-find ingredients online.

THE BIRD (3 Weeks Before)

Take the time to order your turkey. You won’t regret it. You’ll be guaranteed the exact size bird you want fresh or frozen. Specialty birds sell out quickly typically in early November.

Don’t know how much turkey you’ll need? I recommend approximately 2 pounds per adult and 1 pound per child. This takes into account you’ll be sending home leftovers but make sure you have enough too! Don’t forget to make sure you have a big enough pan to roast a large bird and that it will fit into your freezer, fridge or oven!

DRINKS (3 Weeks Before)

Wine and liquor keep so buy the items you need early and beat the rush. You probably won’t want to be glued to making drinks all day, so pick a signature drink that you can make a big batch of before guests arrive or set the bar with all of the basics and let guests help themselves.Plan on each guest drinking two drinks in the first hour, and one drink for every hour thereafter. You know your guests better than we do, so treat that as an estimate. Make sure to have non-alcoholic option on hand, like apple cider or sparkling water.

CLEAN OUT FREEZER (2 Weeks Before)

Cooking and freezing as much as possible now will save you time on turkey day. Clean out your freezer to make room for everything you’ll be putting in.

MAKE PIES AND DOUGH (2 Weeks Before)

If part of the meal prep includes baking now is the best time to make a few batches of pie dough and freeze them. Just wrap the disks tightly in plastic wrap and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before you’re ready to use them. Most pies can be made the day ahead. Some pies can be made now and frozen, thawed and cooked just before the holiday.

CHOOSE YOUR DECOR (2 Weeks Before)

Once you’ve decided whether you’re serving buffet style or a sit-down dinner, you can start to plan for your decor. Take inventory of tableware, tablecloths, and napkins in case you need to pick up anything extra and make sure each recipe has a serving bowl or platter to be paired with. Think about whether you’ll want to order flowers ahead of time or if you’ll create a nonperishable centerpiece. If you decide on fresh flowers. Order them now and have them delivered on Wednesday to ensure their freshness and longevity.

MAKE AND FREEZE HOMEMADE STOCK (2 Weeks Before)

The key to an outstanding gravy is homemade stock. You can buy turkey bones from your butcher, roast them and then simmer with aromatics before putting your stock in the freezer. If you decide to use store-bought stock look for a brand with the lowest sodium level and salt to taste when making the gravy.One year my gravy was too salty. Here’s how I fixed it: Chop a small potato and put in the gravy and simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove the potato and discard. The potato will soak up the salt and make the gravy less salty.

MAKE AND FREEZE ROLLS (2 Weeks Before)

Pick a roll recipe that will freeze well — one that has a moist base of butter or buttermilk. On Thanksgiving Day take them out of the freezer in the morning and allow them to defrost at room temperature.Or better yet, give it to someone on the guest list to bring! 😉

SHOP FOR NON-PERISHABLES (1 Week Before)

I know some of you are thinking – “I’ve got to shop twice?” Yes, but if you don’t you’ll be buying perishable foods that won’t stay fresh long enough.

Divide your list into perishable and non-perishable items.

Non-perishables include things like: Baking ingredients (flour, sugar, corn syrup, canned pumpkin, canned cranberries), paper goods, decorations, etc.

CREATE A SEATING PLAN AND COOKING SCHEDULE (1 Week Before)

An organization plan is the name of the game this Thanksgiving. The less stress you can create for yourself the better.

Look over your recipes and create a schedule for leading up to the big day. Identify what tasks will be done each day as well as on Thanksgiving Day.

PICK UP YOUR TURKEY (1 Week Before)

If you’ve ordered a turkey, now is the time to pick it up so you can be prepped to defrost it. If you haven’t planned for your turkey yet, purchase a frozen bird today so it will be able to defrost properly in the fridge.

CLEAN OUT YOUR REFRIGERATOR (1 Week Before)

Clean out your refrigerator to make room for all the extra ingredients and dishes you’ll be making. Give it a good scrub down with our easy to follow instructions.

DEFROST TURKEY (Monday Before)

Thawing a frozen turkey takes time more time than most people realize. The best way is to thaw the bird in the coldest area of the fridge with a pan underneath to catch any drips (not on the counter). If you plan on brining (a simple way to infuse your turkey with flavor ) you’ll want to check out the ingredients list here and make sure you have everything you need to brine your turkey!

IRON/POLISH (Monday Before)

Take the time to polish any silverware you’ll be using and to iron tablecloths and napkins. You’ll want your table to be amazing and so no wrinkles or tarnish allowed!

BUY PERISHABLE FOODS (Monday/Tuesday Before)

Now is also the time to brave the crowds and pick up any perishable items from the store.

MAKE CRANBERRY SAUCE, PIE CRUSTS (Tuesday Before)

Cranberry sauce can stay fresh in the fridge up to 2 weeks because of its high acidity, so make it now and refrigerate it in a jar or bowl covered in plastic wrap.

If you didn’t freeze your pie crusts ahead of time, make them today and wrap the dough to store in the fridge. If you’ve prepped items and kept them in the freezer, take them out to defrost. This includes any pie crusts or stock you made in advance.

BRINE (Tuesday Night)

See complete recipe here. You won’t be sorry. This is the best way to cook a turkey hands down!

BAKE PIES, PREPARE REHEATABLE SIDE DISHES, PREP INGREDIENTS (Wednesday)

Start to make sides that will reheat well, like casseroles or creamed onions. Prep garnishes, toppings, salad greens and stuffing ingredients. Cook soups and let cool before storing in the refrigerator if you didn’t freeze any options in advance. If your stuffing recipe calls for stale bread, cut the bread now and set the cubes on a baking sheet to dry out. You can go ahead and make your pies today.

SET UP EXTRA TABLES AND CHAIRS (Wednesday)

Make sure your guests all have a place to sit and relax while waiting for the turkey to come out of the oven.

DON’T STRESS – JUST STICK TO YOUR PLAN (Thanksgiving Day)

Preheat your oven in the morning and get your turkey going. If you premade bread, let it defrost at room temperature. Put your wine or beer in the fridge to chill. While the turkey roasts, prepare your other side dishes since they can stand at room temperature for an hour or keep in the fridge. When the turkey is done, let it rest while you make the gravy, reheat side dishes and prep salads.

AFTER DINNER

Play a game of tag football, play cards or board games, take a walk and digest all that turkey. How about some football on TV and a nap? Here are some other suggestions you might enjoy! You’ve deserved it!

CONCLUSION

Our Thanksgiving Planner helps you keep track of all your to-do’s as we’ve outlined here. You can find it in the Resource Library! Sign up below!

Maureen Campaiola

I’m a professional cleaner with over 13 years of hands-on experience cleaning homes, a published writer, certified money specialist, and the founder of A Mess Free Life. After paying off over $50,000 in debt, I dedicated myself to helping others master their homes and their money — proving that a clean, organized, stress-free life is possible no matter where you’re starting from. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me cooking, playing bocce, sipping an extra dirty martini, or enjoying the ocean with my cats nearby. I’m also a proud mom and grandma who cares deeply for my mother at home.