The Complete Thanksgiving Planner

Thanksgiving is a special time when friends and family gather to give thanks for all the good things in their lives. Tradition dictates that a large feast is shared -- this tradition of course dates all the way back to the Pilgrims and the Native Americans at the very first Thanksgiving! These days, it's customary to kick back after a big meal and watch football or spend time catching up with loved ones over coffee and pumpkin pie. Some families have traditions such as a Thankful Book, where each member of the family adds what they are thankful for each year. Regardless of your Thanksgiving traditions, there are some things you can do to ensure that your turkey day goes as smoothly as possible!

Mid to Late October

Although it's too early to buy a turkey, it's not too early to start thinking about your Thanksgiving guest list and menu plan. Even if you're inviting the same people to dinner that you do every year, why not make things special and send out Thanksgiving themed invitations?

When it comes to the menu, decide if you want something traditional or something a little more exciting. Many people try an interesting dish that I call a turducken, which is a turkey stuffed with a duck which is stuffed with a chicken! Sounds crazy, but I swear it looked absolutely delicious when I watched it being made on a holiday cooking program. Delicious, but a bit complicated!

If you're sticking to traditional Thanksgiving fare, your menu may look something like this:

Turkey

Ham

Macaroni and Cheese

Stuffing

Green Beans

Sweet Potatoes

Hot Rolls

Cranberry Sauce

Pumpkin Pie

Feel free to add or remove anything from this sample menu that you see fit. If you're new to the world of cooking Thanksgiving dinner, you can go online and find recipes for anything you want to make. Often, recipes are reviewed and rated by people that have tried them, which helps ensure you choose a recipe that's been quality tested already. Starting this process in late October gives you plenty of time to finalize what you want to have and collect all recipes and non perishable supplies that you may need.

Early November

In early November, go ahead and order your turkey. Or, go ahead and purchase a frozen one. Just be sure you allow one week thawing time for a frozen turkey before attempting to cook it. If you're using a professionally designed floral arrangement, you'll want to order now. Often florists get backed up with tons of orders this time of year. A frugal alternative to paying a florist to create a Thanksgiving floral arrangement is to create one yourself.

If you find that flowers aren't your forte, how about using a more innovative centerpiece? One idea is to fill a crystal bowl with floating candles in fall colors like red and orange. Float a few faux leaves in vibrant fall colors on the surface of the water as well.

If you're sending invitations, do it now! Be sure to request an RSVP if you're inviting lots of guests so you'll know how much food to make ahead of time.

Five Days Prior

This is the time when you'll want to start thawing your turkey. At this time you can purchase any non-perishables that you don't already have.

Two Days Prior

Two days before Thanksgiving, you'll want to purchase your vegetables and perishable items. However, wait until the day before Thanksgiving to purchase seafood or bakery items. At this point, you can polish your flatware and iron your tablecloth if needed. This is also a good time to start cubing bread for homemade stuffing. Also, if you're making your own cranberry sauce, two days prior to Thanksgiving is an ideal time.

One Day Prior

This is when you will need to prepare your turkey and make sure it's completely defrosted. Remove all innards from the bird and rinse it with clean, cold water. Go ahead and make your stuffing and other side dishes like casseroles, macaroni and cheese, and desserts. You can easily reheat these items right before dinner is served. By preparing them a day ahead, you're saving yourself a lot of hassle. The evening before Thanksgiving, go ahead and set the table. Do any last minute housekeeping that you think is necessary to make your home clean and welcoming.

Thanksgiving Day

The morning of Thanksgiving, remove your thawed bird from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for about an hour and a half. Around late morning, preheat your oven (turkey should be cooked at no less than 325 degrees) and stuff your turkey if you desire a stuffed turkey. Some people like a stuffed turkey, others do not. It's simply a matter of preference. Allow your turkey to cook for anywhere from four to six hours depending on its size. Your turkey is done when the thickest part reads a temperature of 180 degrees on your meat thermometer.

Allow a finished turkey to set for 30 minutes before carving. While you're waiting, you can reheat those dishes you made the day before.

The Day After

This is the day when you should freeze any leftovers for later use. You'd be surprised how many delicious dishes can be made with leftover turkey! Wash all dishes that didn't get done on Thanksgiving day and pack away all your good crystal, flatware and fancy dishes until next year.