Two-Three Weeks Before:

• Invite your guests and get a rough estimate of who will be attending
• Make a menu plan

One Week Before:

• Finalize menu
• Clean out your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer
• Buy all nonperishable groceries and everything else you might need, such as aluminum foil, plastic wrap, digital thermometer, a roasting pan, etc.
• Plan your seating
• Make/prep food that can be frozen

Three - Four Days Before:

• Deep clean the house
• Buy/thaw the turkey

Two Days Before:

• Make a quick trip to the store for perishables and anything else you forgot
• Make dessert
• Meal prep ingredients
• Prep dinnerware and serving dishes

One Day Before:

• Tidy up the house and vacuum, dust, wash floors
• Set the table, decorate
• Prep clothing for the family
• Brine or salt the turkey
• Finish dessert
• Prep drinks
• Prep your side dishes/take out food from freezer to thaw overnight

Thanksgiving Day:

When you wake up and after eating a simple breakfast:

• Take the turkey out of the refrigerator
• If you have children, give them something clean and time-consuming to do
• Get yourself ready
• Check your decor and table setting one last time, if needed

Two-Three Hours Before Dinner:

• Put the turkey in the oven
• Drinks
• Start reheating things that you made in advance
• Give something to do to the guests who are early

One Hour Before Dinner:

• Make the mashed potatoes or rice
• When the turkey comes out of the oven, set it aside to rest, make the gravy and put the stuffing into the oven
• Make salads and wash/cut fruit and vegetables.
• Warm up rolls or biscuits, if you are serving them.
• Finish with all the little touches, put all the food on the table

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family, friends and all the good food.