Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be both a stressful and rewarding experience. I love cooking for others, but there's nothing quite as anxiety inducing as having to run to the store for some forgotten key ingredient only to find it closed. So, here are my top 5 organization tips to keep you sane this Thanksgiving.









1. Make a List and Check it Twice

Guest List

How many guests are you expecting? Are there any dietary restrictions? Do you have enough seating or will more need to be purchased?

Menu

The menu should not only the main dishes, but any sides, appetizers, desserts, snacks, cocktails, beverages, condiments, etc. Here's my menu as an example:



Turkey (main)





Ham (main)





Mashed potatoes (side)





Green bean casserole (side)





Stuffing (side)





Dinner rolls (side)





Gravy and butter (condiments)





Spinach dip with celery, carrots and pita chips (appetizer)





Prosecco, red wine, water and tea (beverages)

Ingredients

After finalizing the menu, pull out your recipes and make a list of every ingredient you'll need. Then go through your pantry and cross off everything you already have. Be sure to check the remaining amount and expiry date of your current stock. Add anything that hasn't been crossed out to your grocery list. It should look a little something like this:



Green bean casserole





2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup buy







1c milk







2 tsp soy sauce







Black pepper to taste







8c green beans buy







3c french fried onions buy





2. Plan like a Pro with a Time Table





One of the most challenging things about making a large meal is getting every dish to finish at about the same time. There are a lot of moving parts to keep track of and it's easy to get overwhelmed. That's why I like to rely on a time table to keep me on track, ( click here to download free copy). To use, check the box for the time you'd like a dish to finish cooking, then work backwards to see when you need to start. Although the math is simple, it helps to have all your start and finish times on a simple reference chart to keep everything flowing smoothly.





3. Get Prep-py Produce

Check your ingredients list to see what produce can be cut, measured and stored in advance. Use masking tape to label the container or colored masking tape to color code. Craftsy has a great guide on storing various cut vegetables. Dishes

There are several dishes that can be made the night before. Many even taste better after giving the flavors time to meld. Some dishes that come to mind are soups, stews, saucy pastas, cold pastas, braised meats, mashed potatoes, desserts and dips. Simply make the dish 1-2 nights before Thanksgiving and reheat in a microwave or oven or serve chilled (if applicable).



4. Create a Workspace On the day before Thanksgiving, gather all the materials you will need on a secluded counter-top. Foil, mixing, bowls, measuring cups and spoons, oil, spices, ingredients, meat thermometer, etc. Do the same thing on a shelf in the fridge for cold items. This will minimize the amount of time wasted looking for that rolling pin you only pull out twice a year.





5. Don't be Afraid to Delegate Does uncle Ben make the best mac and cheese? Does cousin Jill set tables that would make Pier One weep tears of joy? Is your partner the best potato peeler in the west? People love to help, especially when it gives them an opportunity to highlight their strengths. Just be sure to ask nicely and show your appreciation.







Does uncle Ben make the best mac and cheese? Does cousin Jill set tables that would make Pier One weep tears of joy? Is your partner the best potato peeler in the west? People love to help, especially when it gives them an opportunity to highlight their strengths. Just be sure to ask nicely and show your appreciation.

It's time to bust out the pen and paper, because we're about to get list-happy. This part may seem time-consuming, but as Ben Franklin once said, "a minute spent organizing is an hour earned." Writing things down increases focus and boosts memory. It is a key element of organization.