Holidays can be stressful, but planning can help. Use this FREE printable TimeLine and Thanksgiving Planner to help you stay organized this Thanksgiving.
Click to print The Peaceful Mom Thanksgiving Menu Planner and Grocery List.
Click here for a printable version of the Thanksgiving Cooking Timeline below:
7 DAYS AHEAD
Menu Plan-Will you serve the traditional roast turkey or try something different this year? Remember to include appetizers, salads, side dishes and desserts.
Make a Grocery List-Once you know what you’ll be serving, make a list of the ingredients you need and write them on the Grocery List Printable (here.)
6 DAYS AHEAD
Grocery Shop-The best deals on turkey are usually the week of Thanksgiving. Stock up on other necessities the week before when prices are at their lowest.
Make Ice-If you will be serving a large crowd and will need extra ice, start storing ice in plastic zipper bags now.
5 DAYS AHEAD
Make Place Cards and Other Decorations-Hopefully you bought all your Thanksgiving decorations last year on clearance. If not, use some simple items around your house to make place cards and center pieces. For a simple table decoration, use a long piece of fabric as a table runner and top it with of tiny pumpkins and gourds.
4 DAYS AHEAD
Make Cold Salads-Jello salads, cranberry sauce and other cold salads can be made up to four days ahead. If your salad contains fresh fruit or vegetables, wait until the day before to prepare them.
Make Dips-If you are having dips as appetizers, make them today and refrigerate them.
3 DAYS AHEAD
Prepare Beverages-Make Iced Tea and/or Lemonade. Chill soft drinks if you have room. Make sure that you have enough ice.
Wash Potatoes and Fresh Vegetables-Washing vegetables ahead of time is a big time saver and makes your prep work later go more smoothly.
2 DAYS AHEAD
Decorate and Set Table-Setting the table with plates, glasses, utensils and the center piece ahead of time is a big time saver and helps to get you motivated for all the work ahead.
Prepare Stuffing and Refrigerate
Prepare Desserts
Prepare Cranberry Sauce
1 DAY AHEAD
Prep Turkey
Prepare Salads
Prepare and Cook Casseroles
THANKSGIVING DAY
Put the Turkey in the Oven– Depending on the size, you may need to start 5 hours before dinner time. Allow at least 30 minutes of resting time for the bird before carving.
Make Bread-If you’re making homemade rolls, start them once the turkey is in and put them in the oven later. Make sure to allow a little extra cooking time if you are cooking them when the turkey is still in the oven.
Cook Potatoes
Finish Salads-Put the finishing touches on your salads
1 HOUR AHEAD
Check Turkey and Potatoes
Heat Casseroles
30 MINUTES AHEAD
Remove Turkey from Oven-Allow the turkey to rest before carving it.
Warm Bread-If you are using pre-made rolls, heat them last so they will be warm when you are ready to serve dinner.
Prepare Drinks
Enjoy your Day!
HI, I’m really enjoying your website. I am very interested in all the topics you discuss and I like the downloadables too. I just wanted to ask if you can check the link for the grocery list above. It was not active. Thanks so much and I look forward to your future posts.
Thanks for the heads up Dena. I just fixed it. It is actually the same form as the link above, but I just put two links in the post.