Out of the Frying Pan! Holidays: Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving Countdown Checklist (printer version)

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Thanksgiving Checklist

Saturday (Thanksgiving-5):

Confirm your guest list. You don't want to serve too much, or worse yet, too little. Call them up and make them commit.
Recruit invited guests to make a dish. Use the word "famous" when describing their pecan pie or mashed potatoes. Flattery works great.
Plan the menu. Write out everything you plan to make yourself.
Plan the centerpiece.
Plan projects for any children in attendance. Set up a card table for crafts in the garage or the den so they aren't underfoot. Pick out a seasonal movie. Make sure you have an adult or responsible teenager to monitor them.
Start making room in the refrigerator. Finish, freeze or toss all of the leftovers.

Sunday (T-4):

Make a time table for the big event. It's no good to plan a meal with 20 dishes if you don't have time to make them all. Ditch unnecessary pipe dream recipes
Make a master list. Include all necessary ingredients and quantities (including items you think you have), necessary kitchenware and miscellany. Be specific. Having "butter" on your list won't help when you bring home a pound but you need a pound and a half.
Grocery List: Compare what you need against what you've got on hand. Don't assume the canister is full of flour; check. Cross off everything you already have.
Kitchenware List: Do you have everything you will need to make the recipes? Check for necessary pots, pans, cookie sheets, turkey baster, roasting pan, electric mixer, etc. Cross off what you actually have in your possession (knowing you own a bundt pan and remembering you lent it to a friend six months ago are two different things). Make a list of what you need to buy or borrow.
Miscellaneous List: flowers, candles, glasses, linens, chairs, craft project, videos, or borrowed Playstation for the kids, serving dishes, serving utensils, videos, Alka-Seltzer or Tagamet, chairs.

Monday (T-3):

Head for the stores! Don't put this off. The crowds will only get bigger and the lines will only get longer from this point on.
Don't forget to snag some light snacks (chips, dip, frozen appetizers, cut fruit, cheese & crackers, veggies, etc.) to prevent whining while you cook
Make any dishes that can be frozen and reheated on the big day.
Move extra large turkeys to the fridge to defrost

Tuesday (T-2):

Delegate responsibilities among family. This is what kids and spouses are for! Plan out who will walk the dog, hang the coats, wash the dishes, go on an ice run...whatever you won't have time to do yourself. If your guests will be drinking beer around the TV set, recruit a teenager or non-drinker as the designated errand runner
Clean the house and maintain it until the big event. "Invite" the whole family to pitch in...call it a "cleaning party"...they'll love that.
Move turkey to the fridge to defrost (yes, it takes two days).

Wednesday (T-1):

Defrost any frozen dishes overnight in the fridge.
Make do-ahead dishes such as stuffing, pies, or other desserts
Finish prep for other dishes: peel potatoes (cover in water to keep from browning), wash and trim vegetables, etc.
Make as much counter space as possible. Store any unnecessary kitchen knickknacks, cookbooks, appliances, etc., out of the way. Box them up and store them in the garage or a closet temporarily, if need be.
Set the table. Launder and iron tablecloth and napkins. Polish the silverware. Set out the centerpiece.
Plan the seating arrangement

Thanksgiving Day (Blastoff!)

Make your bed, so everyone will have a place to throw their coats.
Set out snacks before guest arrive. Clear a place for any dishes or drinks they may bring.
Follow your time table.
Have fun!