Allow yourself an enjoyable time preparing Thanksgiving Dinner

How to organize a great Thanks Giving dinner begins right after the Halloween decorations are taken down.  Here is the best way to ensure that your Thanksgiving dinner will be ready and that you will be able to enjoy the festivities as well.

In order to let run things smoothly and avoid the holiday season turns into a last minute frenzy of activity us checklists.

Serenity comes through planning ahead

As in most endeavors preparation is the mother of all successful operations. This goes for a thanks giving dinner as well as prepping an airliner for a flight. We don't want to take the romance out of the organizing the party but a checklist has proven its value over and over. No last minutes rushes and you know where you stand each step of the way.

Well, you are the captain, lets start the "pre-flight" checks.

1. As you are taking down the Halloween decorations, decide if any of these are more of an autumn theme. If so, you may want to use them for Thanks giving as well. Now, would be the best time to decorate the exterior of your home for the Holidays. You can even find many wonderful autumn decorations for the interior of your home as well. You want your guests to feel the holiday spirit just as soon as they see your home.
2. Prepare your list of people you wish to invite and if you want them to bring some of the special dishes, now would be the time to ask. At least one month prior to Thanksgiving.  
3. Around the second week of Thanksgiving you should be planning your Thanks giving meal. Be sure that you make a complete list of the items that others are preparing and also be sure that no brings the same dish. You do not want 4 potato salads, 5 cranberry sauces, etc.
    
4. Check your china and silverware. Make sure everything looks great. If it needs polished, cleaned, etc. 
5. Also check around your home, you may wish to shampoo the carpet or the furniture and bring out those guests towels and re-freshen them. 
6. You can also prepare your cookie dough and freeze it. This will save you time when it is time to begin baking 
7. Make sure that you have ordered your turkey and ham. If you are buying from your local butcher you will need to order early to ensure you get your turkey or ham in time to prepare it.
    
8. Send out your invitations at least 2 weeks before Thanks giving. 
9. You can also purchase all imperishable items at this time. Such items like brown sugar, flour, and even green beans are sold rather fast during the holiday season and it would be disastrous if the store was sold out when you went to purchase your holiday meal. Also, think about Christmas dinner while you are shopping. If you have the room in your pantry, buy extra.
10. One week before Thanks giving dinner get your entire list together for your meal. Be sure to include such items as butter for the rolls, cream and sugar for coffee, decaffeinated coffee, lemon, whipped topping for the pumpkin pie and sugar substitutes.
11. Also, think about food allergies when you are planning your meal. Try to have enough food for everyone and if you have guests that have allergies or are diabetic then you should prepare special foods for they can also enjoy your fantastic Thanks giving dinner.
12. Ensure you have enough seating for everyone that is coming and prepare the centerpiece and other decorations that you wish to use.
13. Have the coat closet ready for guest’s coats.
14. Make room in your kitchen for your cooking adventure. Put items away that are necessary off the countertops and decide if you wish buffet style serving area. If so, prepare the area now, not the day before while you busy cooking.
15. Do the last bit of shopping and check your list twice or even three times, be sure you have all the ingredients you need for every recipe.
16. If you can prepare some items now, then go for it. You can bake some cookies and other items this far in advance and they will still be yummy on Thanks giving.
17. The day before Thanksgiving is the perfect time to bake all of your pies.
18. If you are planning on serving a turkey and a ham you can prepare the ham today and then reheat it after the turkey and dressing is ready.
    
19. Turkey Day! Wake up early and put that wonderful turkey in to roast. Now, set the table and prepare the rest of your meal.
20. Have everything ready for the rest of the food that others are bringing. Be sure to have everything ready on time.

Checklist complete,

 Now LETS PARTY, LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

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