Thanksgiving Dinner Planning Tips

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 21:31:56 +0000

Today, as I began to plan for next week’s Thanksgiving dinner…I thought…why not take you guys on the journey of planning with me. So here we go. Let’s begin. Thanksgiving Dinner Planning Tips In all reality, I begin this process weeks in advance. The guest list is confirmed which determines the number of guests coming that affects the menu and place settings. Now, I have hosted up to 40 for Thanksgiving and as small as six. This year there is a small gathering of the two of us and my niece and family. I love that she always joins us since both of our sons are out of town and traveling for both Thanksgiving and Christmas difficult. Let’s begin with the Menu. The favorites: ALWAYS are always offered. Some version of Sweet potatoes and Pumpkin pie are usually made by niece, as well as, my mother’s dressing. Always a favorite… This year for Thanksgiving dinner? New additions may be added with this roasted sweet potato salad shared in the Vue magazine. And for variation? The pumpkin cake recipe, too. Next in importance is the Time Schedule. Our Thanksgiving dinner is ALWAYS at lunch. Which means that everything has to be completely ready at noon. You see? In order for me to make everything work…from thawing the turkey, prepping foods BEFORE Thanksgiving and then baking on Thanksgiving Day? A time schedule is paramount. I have done this for years. Just makes me organized and removes the stress. America’s Test Kitchen includes more items that may be great for your planning. Can I tell you that the schedule includes days and times before Thanksgiving? Your Thanksgiving Day schedule should include times to begin and end baking, temps, and locations for where everything is prepared. Also included in that prep is how many items you can fit and bake at the same time. If you have more than one oven? Designate on your schedule the items to be baked together- according to time and temp in each. If you have a warming drawer, include what you will move there to keep warm while everything is baking. If you don’t have a warming drawer, consider investing in a warming mat–whether battery operated or electric suiting your serving area. You may find that other appliances you have, such as, crockpots, can keep things warm while other things are baking. Turkey So, the first order of business on the menu is the turkey. My husband brines and smokes a rotisserie turkey on his Weber that always receives oohs and ahhs. So let’s start with your turkey. Back to your guest list? How many will you need to feed? That will determine the size of your turkey. Make a decision on how your will prepare the traditional turkey. Lots of people simple roast their turkey in the oven. The turkey is often the one item that takes most of your baking space in the oven. It can quickly complicate your time schedule of when other things can get into your oven. Make a decision on the type of preparation for the turkey: Turkey Reminder Remember to read your turkey packaging carefully. If it’s frozen…add it to a deep pan (to catch juices) in your fridge to begin thawing in plenty of time before cooking whatever method you choose. Here’s how to safely thaw. Turkey is poultry, so be careful with your thawing and handling. And if you have questions? The Butterball Turkey company is available for help…even on Thanksgiving Day. Who knew? Next, finalize your Menu AND Schedule Plan. Once your turkey decision is made, add when to do each thing for that turkey onto your schedule. Now for the rest of the your Thanksgiving dinner planning tips… Ahead of time comes the table setting. To make things easier, if you are able, set your table early, especially if you have a separate dining table that you will use and not need before hand. Prepare linens, place settings, with glasses and everything ready so that it has a once over and those details are perfect when guests arrive. Hester and Cook always has the best paper products for holidays if you have a large group and need to simplify. Candles for ambiance. Playlist for the portable speaker. Centerpiece low enough to have conversation across are all important touches. Beforehand, don’t forget to get all of your serving and baking dishes out that you will use. Add a post it note to the center of each dish and arrange them on your serving area so you will know how to arrange everything. A buffet style serving helps simplify this process. If dishes are prepped in the fridge, don’t forget to leave a note where each will go in your serving area after baking…even it’s on your dining table. If someone brings a dish, the note tells them where to place it. Another great reason the notes work so well is that they will prevent you from forgetting a food item…from setting it out or even preparing! Set out serving pieces- slotted spoons, forks, etc. near each dish to make sure that you have everything needed. Don’t forget to set out trivets for hot items to protect surfaces. Do this a day or two before, if space allows, so that you don’t have to make those decisions later. Thanksgiving Day? Plan for it to be easy. Prepare cold beverages early. I make my beverages -sweet tea or House tea early in the morning and chill. Make the night before if you prefer. Use carafes to hold more if you need to. Set out your condiments early, too. Butter, salt and pepper and other items. Softened room temp butter is always welcome with those rolls. Don’t forget to set out the basket or serving piece for the rolls. Follow your schedule carefully to bake and prep things. As things are prepared, follow your plan on keeping them warm- either in a crockpot, warming drawer, mat, etc. The last to bake for us is the rolls so that they are perfect. Set it all out…and prepare for the devouring! Nothing like having feet under my table. If possible, set up a separate dessert area and beverage serving area. Stacks of dessert plates, pie servers, knives, etc, and dessert forks are always added to the dessert area. Pitchers of beverages set in one area help keep the serving line flow easier. Make sure that your guests understand the flow for a buffet line, beverage and dessert area. Other helpful tips– Here are a few of similar items that help me with Thanksgiving dinner: Note: Use what you have. White dishes never fail for any holiday. That’s often what I use in serving pieces. I have yellows, greens, and white casserole and serving dishes that seem to work in among the mix. Nothing has to be matchy-matchy. Even if you have Christmas decorations up already–no judgment here–you may still lean into the fall festive decorations when serving your dinner. You may have dishes that lend themselves to the fall. Feel free to be extravagant for holiday hosting, if you prefer. So if you’d love to see beautiful things for a splurge, or practical things that will help make the dinner easier, here you go. May you have the BEST Thanksgiving gathering ever! Whether you are hosting or contributing, perhaps these tips will help in planning your Thanksgiving dinner. Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

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Thanksgiving Dinner Planning Tips