What to Do the Week Before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute you’re planning your fall menu, and the next you’re trying to figure out how to fit a turkey, six side dishes, and a house full of guests into one afternoon.

The good news? You don’t have to do everything on Thanksgiving Day.

A little planning the week before can make a huge difference. By spreading out your shopping, kitchen prep, and cleaning, you can enjoy a more relaxed holiday without feeling like you’re spending the entire day in the kitchen.

Here’s a simple Thanksgiving prep timeline to help you get ready for the big day.

7 Days Before Thanksgiving: Plan Your Menu

The first thing to do is decide what you’re serving.

You don’t need to make every dish from scratch or prepare a dozen different sides. Choose a menu that works for your family, your guests, and the amount of time you have.

Start by making a list of:

• Your main dish
• Side dishes
• Desserts
• Appetizers
• Drinks
• Any special dietary needs

If you’re serving turkey, decide whether you’re cooking a whole turkey or a smaller turkey breast.

If you’re cooking a whole turkey, my guide to How to Cook a Turkey in a Roaster: A Beginner’s Guide can help you get started.

For a smaller gathering, you might prefer The Best Stuffed Turkey Breast for Your Holiday Dinner.

Once your menu is settled, make a grocery list. Check your pantry and freezer before shopping so you don’t buy ingredients you already have.

6 Days Before Thanksgiving: Grocery Shopping

This is a good time to purchase pantry staples and ingredients that will keep well.

Look for things like:

• Flour and sugar
• Canned vegetables
• Broth and stock
• Baking supplies
• Spices and seasonings
• Canned pumpkin
• Cranberries
• Paper plates, napkins, and other serving supplies

If you’re buying a frozen turkey, make sure you allow enough time for it to thaw safely in the refrigerator. A large turkey can take several days to thaw, so don’t wait until the last minute.

You can also check your serving dishes, roasting pan, baking dishes, and utensils. Make sure you have everything you need before Thanksgiving morning.

5 Days Before Thanksgiving: Get Your Kitchen Ready

Take a little time to organize your kitchen.

Clear out the refrigerator to make room for the turkey, ingredients, and prepared dishes. Toss anything that has expired or that you know you won’t use.

Wash and organize your counters. Make sure your roasting pan, cutting boards, mixing bowls, and measuring cups are easy to find.

This is also a good time to decide which dishes you’ll serve your food in. If you’re using special serving dishes, pull them out now and label them with sticky notes.

It may seem like a small thing, but it can save you a lot of time on Thanksgiving Day.

4 Days Before Thanksgiving: Prepare Your Make-Ahead Dishes

Some Thanksgiving dishes can be prepared ahead of time, which makes the day itself much easier.

Take a look at your menu and decide what can be made in advance.

For example, you can prepare your stuffing ingredients ahead of time. My Classic Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing is made with bread, butter, vegetables, and herbs.

You can also make a batch of The Best Turkey Gravy from Drippings using turkey or chicken broth if you’re preparing gravy before the turkey is roasted.

Save the pan drippings for Thanksgiving Day if you want to add them for extra flavor.

If you’re planning to serve a traditional side dish, take a look at these 6 Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes for menu inspiration.

Remember to refrigerate prepared foods promptly and follow the recipe’s storage instructions.

3 Days Before Thanksgiving: Clean and Decorate

You don’t need to deep-clean your entire house before Thanksgiving. Focus on the areas your guests will use.

A few things to tackle:

• Clean the guest bathroom.
• Wipe down kitchen counters and appliances.
• Vacuum or sweep the main living areas.
• Dust the dining room.
• Set out your Thanksgiving decorations.
• Make sure you have enough chairs and table settings.

If you’re hosting overnight guests, prepare their sleeping area and make sure fresh towels and bedding are ready.

You can also set the Thanksgiving table ahead of time if you have room. Just cover it with a clean sheet or tablecloth to keep it dust-free.

2 Days Before Thanksgiving: Prep Vegetables and Side Dishes

Now it’s time to get some of the food prep out of the way.

Depending on your recipes, you may be able to:

• Wash and chop vegetables.
• Dice onions and celery for stuffing.
• Prepare casseroles that can be refrigerated before baking.
• Make cranberry sauce.
• Measure ingredients for recipes.
• Set out nonperishable ingredients for Thanksgiving morning.

If you’re serving Classic Candied Yams or Honey Glazed Carrots, gather the ingredients and make sure you have the baking dishes ready.

Keep prepared ingredients refrigerated and follow the recipe’s instructions for when to assemble and bake each dish.

The Day Before Thanksgiving: Finish the Prep

The day before Thanksgiving is when you want to get as much done as possible without rushing.

Here are a few things to do:

• Prepare any remaining make-ahead dishes.
• Assemble casseroles that will be baked the next day.
• Make sure the turkey is thawed.
• Check your cooking schedule.
• Set the table.
• Put drinks in the refrigerator.
• Make sure you have enough ice.
• Take out serving dishes and utensils.

If you’re serving stuffing, you can prepare the ingredients or assemble it according to the recipe’s make-ahead instructions. Keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake it.

I also like to write down a simple cooking schedule for Thanksgiving Day. Include the time each dish needs to go into the oven, when it needs to be stirred or checked, and when it should be served.

That way, you’re not trying to remember everything at once.

Thanksgiving Day: Enjoy the Holiday

By the time Thanksgiving morning arrives, most of the work should already be done.

Your main focus should be cooking the turkey, finishing the side dishes, warming everything up, and welcoming your guests.

Keep your cooking schedule nearby and check dishes off as you finish them.

If you’re making gravy from the turkey drippings, you can follow my Turkey Gravy Recipe while the turkey rests.

And don’t forget to take a few minutes for yourself. Get dressed, enjoy a cup of coffee, and remember that Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.

The most important part of the day is spending time with the people you love.

Printable Thanksgiving Hosting Checklist

If you’d like an easy way to keep track of everything, I’ve also created a printable Thanksgiving Hosting Checklist to help you organize your holiday prep.

You can use it to plan your menu, keep track of your tasks, and make sure you’re ready for Thanksgiving dinner.

Get the Thanksgiving Hosting Checklist on Etsy

A little planning goes a long way toward making Thanksgiving easier. By spreading out your tasks throughout the week, you can spend less time worrying about the details and more time enjoying the holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Follow my simple homemade living board on Pinterest.