I have always been a planner and organizer. I was always the one planning and organizing parties, field trips for my brother’s class, vacations, events and family get-togethers.  So, it’s no surprise that I tackle holiday cooking like everything else I plan, make lists and label!  Cooking for Thanksgiving can be STRESSFUL, but if you plan accordingly and remain calm everything should come out great.  This is my Thanksgiving timeline I hope it helps make your holiday cooking a little less stressful.

Two Week Before Thanksgiving

Meal Plan-Make sure you don’t have a bunch of vegetables and no stuffing.

Order-If you’re planning on ordering your turkey, fresh or cooked-do it now! Along with flowers, side dishes, appetizers, rolls, and pies.

Make a list if you’re going to multiple stores list the stores and what you’ll need from each store under it. Don’t forget vegetables, spices, bread, meats, drinks, and dairy.  Also, paper goods like paper towels, napkins, tin foil, paper plates, parchment paper, cellophane and toilet paper.

Buy in Demand Items-Example I know Trader Joe’s always runs out of their turkey stock and this year they started selling turkey bone broth so I buy it early to ensure I’ll have it they also run out of wassail so stock up now.  Trader Joe’s will also start selling their turkeys on November 10th if you want a certain size to buy it early and freeze it.

Prep Your Kitchen-Make sure your pantry and fridge are clean out throw away all expired food and spices, plus the food you are never going to eat.

Buy Your Non-Perishables-If you are like me and hate going shopping the closer it gets to a holiday and you have the pantry space buy your non-perishables now.  I live in Los Angeles and our grocery stores are always crazy busy so I like to do as much ahead of time as I can.

One Week Before

Plan Your Table Setting-Make sure you have enough of everything tablecloths, napkins, plates, and utensils also make sure everything is clean.

Make a Seating Chart-If you know your mother-in-law can’t sit next to your chatting cousin make sure they aren’t sitting next to each other.

Make A Cooking Timeline-Decided what can be cooked ahead of time and what has to be cooked on Thanksgiving.  If you don’t have enough oven space planning what has to be cooked at what temperature and for how long will come in handy.