(Timing is everything)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 weeks ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Order Turkey or if frozen, get it at least 1 week ahead<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make rolls<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check recipes you are going to use<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make shopping list (perishables and nonperishables)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get frozen raspberries (these sell out)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get Knorr Vegetable soup\/recipe Mix (this sells out)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Order pies and rolls if not making<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get dishes and tablecloths and tables organized (press cloths)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Final guest list (how many are coming)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 week ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Make your own list of do ahead things and cooking times of each dish<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shop for all nonperishable items<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4 days ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Get frozen turkey out of freezer and on a tray in frig. Thaw in frig for 4 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 days ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pick up fresh turkey, if you didn’t get a frozen one. Put in frig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shop for all fresh ingredients<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put bottles, drinks in frig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The day before<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Prepare all “make ahead” items that you can<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three Bean Salad<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raspberry Set Salad<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cook fresh yams if using fresh ones (place in frig after)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fresh Cranberry Sauce (recipe on bag of cranberries)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dice celery (stuffing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grate carrots (stuffing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cut yellow onions (stuffing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make pies, cookies, tarts<\/p>\n\n\n\n Organize serving bowls, platters, spoons etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanksgiving Morning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 hours ahead<\/strong> (\u00a0 I have to start this far ahead)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make stuffing and stuff turkey ( put back in frig. until time to cook it). Time it so it comes out about 30 minutes before dinner time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make Holiday Yam dish and keep in frig. until cooking time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make Spinach Dip and cut veggies, put all in frig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Peel Potatoes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wash, dry and chill lettuce leafs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whip cream if needed<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make olive salsa if you are using it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Set Tables (colored INdian Corn,m acorns and autumn leaves make a cheaper centerpiece<\/p>\n\n\n\n Salt and pepper shakers<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4\u00a0 hours ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Turkey goes in around now ( check instructions for stuffed turkey timing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thaw rolls<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 hours ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Put out veggies and dip or crackers if you are doing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put cranberry sauce, pickles etc. in bowls\/back in frig<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 hour ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cook Potatoes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put extra stuff (if any) into oven for 1 hr at 350 degrees<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drain (coat beans with marinade for last time) Three Bean<\/p>\n\n\n\n 30 minutes ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fill glasses with ice water<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put yams into oven<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start Corn<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start Peas<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take out Turkey (keep it covered so it will stay moist)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cut, set salad and place on separate plates on lettuce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mash potatoes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drain broth off Turkey and make gravy with it<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put rolls in basket<\/p>\n\n\n\n put out butter<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put out pickles, jams and etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 15 minutes ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Take stuffing out of turkey and place in bowl<\/p>\n\n\n\n Slice turkey, put out light and dark meat (A platter with parsley and sliced orange around edges looks nice)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drain peas and add white sauce-put in bowl<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drain corn-put in bowl<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5 minutes ahead-everything else on table or buffet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Take out yams<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take out dry stuffing<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take out of frig. 3 Bean Salad<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put out Potatoes and Gravy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put out all foods to be served-check Menu<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanksgiving Menu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Turkey at least 1 to 1 1\/2 lb per person<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stuffing<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mashed Potatoes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gravy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wild Rice<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creamed Peas<\/p>\n\n\n\n Corn<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yams<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rolls<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cranberry Sauce (canned whole berry- chilled or<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fresh Cranberry\/Orange Sauce (on back of package of fresh cranberries)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three Bean Salad<\/p>\n\n\n\n Layered Raspberry Salad (set)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fruit Salad\/ Yoplait Lemon Yogurt Dressing<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pies (Pumpkin, Pecan, Apple etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whipped cream topping\/Vanilla ice cream<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sparkling Apple Cider or Sundance<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veggies and Crackers<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spinach Dip<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beef Stick (Hickory Farms) and Cheese Ball<\/p>\n\n\n\n Candy dish for kids to arrange and enjoy after (gummy bears, Chocolate kisses etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recipes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n