You have one weekend — yes, just “one” weekend before Thanksgiving. Don’t believe us? Go check the calendar; the holiday is early this year.
Which means it’s time to get organized, at least if you’re trying to avoid a repeat of last year, when the gravy set up like lard while you were rummaging for the gravy boat (it was in the attic), and Aunt Millie refused to sleep in the guest bedroom because it smelled like dog (that’s where he sleeps). Sure, everyone (mostly) loves you anyway, but wouldn’t you rather have a less stressful Turkey Day?
So we found some people who are good at this: Lupe Ayala, owner of La Playa Maya in Ft. Worth, who makes two turkeys — one Mexican-style, one traditional — at home every year to feed 25 to 40 family members; Sandee Larkin, owner of Harrison House in Waxahachie, Texas, who is planning dinner for 42 family members at her bed and breakfast this year; and B.K. McCollum, who runs B.K.’s Creative Catering in Ft. Worth.
Our experts helped us craft a plan of attack for the holiday, full of practical steps you might forget to do otherwise, plus some wonderful touches to help your guests feel welcome, happy and appreciated. Because isn’t that what Thanksgiving is really all about?
The planning
1.Make a guest list, if you haven’t already.
2.Put together your menu — for the holiday meal; any other meals you’ll be serving while your guests are here; and snacks that overnight guests will enjoy (fruit, sandwich ingredients, etc.).
3.Call everyone and confirm whether they’ll attend. Make note of food allergies, number of children attending (will you need booster seats? highchairs?) and any older folks who might need extra help.
4.If Thanksgiving dinner is potluck, get the dishes assigned.
5.Sit down with your menus and “start building a game plan,” Ayala says. Make a shopping list, divided into perishables and nonperishables.
The work for the meal
1.Buy the nonperishables today, and if you plan to order a fresh turkey, get that done today. If you’re planning on a frozen bird, figure out the poundage and time required to thaw it in the refrigerator, the safe way to do it.
2.From Ayala: Calibrate your oven. Get a meat thermometer you know is accurate, set the oven temperature, and after it’s heated, check to see that the two match. If not, adjust your oven dial accordingly when you cook this year.
3.If you’re trying a new recipe this year, make it now, McCollum says. And eat it, too, to make sure it’s good.
4.Iron the tablecloth and napkins. If you want new ones, get them now.
5.Consider seating. Do you have enough? If not, do you want to have dinner in two seatings, or just one? If you need to rent or borrow tables, chairs and child seats, take care of that.
6.Get out the silver for polishing, and make sure you have enough place settings. If you don’t, put the everyday cutlery on the kids’ tables. Make sure you have enough serving pieces.
7.Wipe down or wash any crystal you plan to use, and fill the salt and pepper shakers.
8.Decide on a table centerpiece. If you’re using a dried arrangement, get what you need and make it, or buy one. Fresh flowers should wait until later.
9.Clean out the refrigerator, especially if you’re having overnight guests, Larkin says, and check the dates on condiments. Throw out anything that’s expired.
10.If you’re using candles, check your supply and add them to the shopping list if needed. Add firewood to the list, if you have a fireplace and plan to use it.
11.If you want background music, decide what it should be, and get something new if necessary.
12.Locate any kids’ games you want to share with guests. Rent or borrow some age-appropriate movies. Get new boxes of crayons and drawing paper or appropriate coloring books.
Get help online
Several Web sites are great resources for Thanksgiving planning. A few we liked:
– Oprah Winfrey’s site, www.oprah.com, has thought-provoking stories on topics such as gratitude, gathering and relaxing, along with recipes. Type “Thanksgiving” into the site search engine.
– Better Homes & Gardens, www.bhg.com, has a great Thanksgiving countdown that starts in early November. That catch is, you have to register on the site to find it.
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– Blueprint magazine’s site, www.marthastewart.com/blueprint, has some fresh, contemporary ideas for table settings and holiday looks.
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The work for overnight guests
1.De-clutter the guest room. (Save the serious cleaning for next weekend.)
2.Clean out a drawer for guest use — make it one that is easy to reach, especially if the guest is older.
3.Make sure there’s a spot for the guest to open a suitcase, and another place to store it.
4.Make a “Do Not Disturb” sign so the guest can take a nap or have some time alone, says Martha Beck on www.oprah.com.
5.If appropriate, make sure you have an extra set of keys to your home, so guests can get in and out with no problems. And make a note to show them how to use the security system.
6.Buy sample-sized packs of cotton swabs, pain relievers and toothpaste, along with disposable razors, nail polish remover, nail files, nail clippers and toothbrushes and stock them in the bathroom. People often forget these, Larkin says.
7.Make sure the guest room has a good bedside reading light, so your guest doesn’t have to get up to turn off the lights.
8.Wash bedding and break the news to the dog that he’s not sleeping in there for a while. Keep the door shut.
9.Make sure the toiletries you’ve purchased are easy to find.
10.McCollum suggests: “Just go in that room and say, ‘If I’m staying in that room, what would I need?'”
Shortcut: Larkin says to load all your personal items in the guest room into a plastic bin as you de-clutter. That will make it easier to put them back later.
Going the extra mile: Yes, you’ve done a lot already, but consider these thoughtful touches that Larkin suggests for your overnight guests:
– If you have a framed photo of the guest, maybe one with you, put it in the room.
– If the alarm clock has a CD player, you could get a CD by your guest’s favorite artist and place it nearby.
– Make room for hanging clothes, and put a few pretty padded hangers in the closet.
– Install night lights in the guest bedroom and the bathroom.
– If you know their interests, get a couple of current magazines your guests would like. Or, if you’ve just read a book you like, leave it in the guest room with a note inside saying you loved it and hope they will, too.
– Leave a clean, warm robe and slippers in the room — most people don’t pack these.
– Tie a ribbon around a pretty bath towel and leave it in the guest room, McCollum says, along with a bottle of sparkling water.
– Larkin suggests a nightly turn-down during the visit: When your guest is busy elsewhere, remove the accent pillows and turn down the bed. Add a pretty throw at the foot of the bed, and leave a plate of homemade bedtime cookies.
– Show overnight guests where the silverware and dishes are, so they won’t have to fumble around looking for things.
– Larkin puts out a pretty tray in the guest room holding a coffee mug, favorite teas, cider mix, etc., so guests know they are welcome to a warm drink.