Thanksgiving Day Dinner Prep List

Hi Friends,

Here we are already near mid November, just a couple of weeks away from Thanksgiving 2023. Can you believe how fast this last year has went by? It seems like just a few weeks ago I was sitting on the porch enjoying the warm weather and the beautiful bright sunshine.

Although the long days of summer are gone for now, we can begin to prepare for the activities and celebrations of fall and winter. And, first up is the day we look forward to all year long. That’s right I am talking about the food fest we call THANKSGIVING!

Tell me, when do you start to prepare for the feast of feasts? October or November? Do you prepare weeks in-advance? Or, are you a last minute Lucy or Larry running around the week of Thanksgiving trying to find cornmeal and sweet potatoes at the grocery store on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving?

Well, I am a early prepper. I may not be out shopping weeks early but, you better believe I am making my list and checking it thrice, because I don’t want to be in these Thanksgiving streets the day before the holiday. Uh uh, not me. I want to be tucked in my kitchen chopping, stirring, shredding, sautéing, simmering, roasting and baking for the big day. Thanksgiving day is like the Olympics of family dinners. Family near and far swoop down on the family home for just for a taste of their beloved’s cornbread dressing with gravy, real fried corn, sweet potato pie, and a piece of German Chocolate or Five Flavor pound cake. You know what I’m talking about…. Are you ready for all of that? Do you have it together yet?… No?… Ok, let me help you out.

Now Thanksgiving is all about the food but, you gotta get ready way before food day. Chances are the love-filled day will be chaotic but, it does not have to be. With thoughtful and careful planning you can come out on top and not too wore out to enjoy Thanksgiving day.

Check out my list below for preparing for the biggest and best dinner of the year.

Thanksgiving Day Checklist

Guest List – “Who all gone be there?” – You need to have a near accurate count so you know how much food and supplies to buy. Put all this on paper.

Menu – “What y’all eating?” From start to finish write down what it is on the menu. Somebody gonna forget something, so write it down. Trust me…..

After that write down your……

Shopping List – Supplies and food. This is just as important as the two listed above. A shopping list will assist you with not getting things you don’t really need right now. You might find something in the store that inspires you that is not on the list but, really think about it. Do you really need it right now and are you going to use it for what you are thinking of? If the answer is no, leave it right where you found it.

Pots and Pans – You will need appropriate size pots and pans for the dishes you intend to cook. This may sound silly but, it’s real. You will be cooking and baking a lot of stuff. Chances are you are going to need a pot or pan you don’t have available when you need it.…Take inventory. You’re welcome.

Table settings – No matter what you intend to eat dinner on, paper products or china; do you have enough? Stock up now. Pro-tip. The dollar store has some nice and inexpensive dinnerware. You do not have to spend a lot of cash to be fancy. I know this from experience. Get plenty of silverware or plastic ware too. (Hobby Lobby and Party City are my choices for disposable and coordinating holiday dinnerware when I do not plan on washing dishes all night).

Beverage Pitchers – Lemonade?… Tea?… Put that punch in something else! Show off your style.

Tablecloths – They just look sophisticated and mature. Get one.

Tables and Chairs – Do you need more seating than what you have? Run out to Sam’s Club and grab a table of appropriate size and the chairs to match. Your guest will be grateful.

Serving Dishes and Utensils – Serving dishes help make the table look nice when its time to sit down for dinner. Serving utensils assist with easy serving of the deliciousness on the table.

Storage Containers and To-Go Boxes – For you and for them. Get you the good stuff. Get them something else. You’re not going to get it back.

Aluminum Foil, Wax Paper, Plastic Wrap and Zip Lock Bags – You’re gonna run out of containers and tops. Mark my words. Stock up.

Pre-dinner and Post-dinner activities- Think of the kids who have been waiting all day to eat. Think of the adults who need something else to do other than hanging around in the kitchen, getting in the way. Games, crafts, movies, get all the stuff out and ready and put somebody in charge of it.

Music- What is a celebration without music? Put someone in charge of making a great family friendly playlist.

Photo’s – Don’t you want proof you pulled this thing off? Whoever cain’t cook is now the family photographer.

Set-up and Clean-up Crew – Assign this early… let people get their mind right for this. Because the kitchen is not going to clean itself. And, if you have been cooking all day. The last thing you should be doing is cleaning at the end of it.

And……

Be Happy and Thankful – Don’t forget to enjoy this day. We are gathering together not only to give thanks but to show our love for our family. We only get each other for a limited amount of time while we’re here on earth. Enjoy and celebrate each other right now.

I hope this list meets you well and assists you in creating a family event that your loved ones will remember for years to come.

By the way, if you are lucky enough to be invited as guest to a Thanksgiving day dinner, be sure to use the tips below to flaunt your perfect social graces, all while throwing down on the turkey, dressing and cranberry sauce.

1. Bring a hostess gift. – A charcuterie board or other fresh food tray, beverages, dessert, or something of interest to the host.

2. Bring a dish to pass.- More food, yes please. Make sure it’s something people will want to eat. Because they’re going to ask who made it….

3. Assist with set-up and clean-up…. Show off your skills, this stuff matters too.

4. Send a Thank-you note acknowledging the kindness that was extended to you this Thanksgiving. Don’t forget to mention your favorite part of the day.

Did I forget to mention anything in my list? …. Let me know in the comments.

Can you tell who’s looking forward to Thxsgvn Din?