Five Steps to Simple Thanksgiving Planning

Thanksgiving can be as free and easy as a ride in a gravy boat on a river of mashed potatoes.

Preparing for the upcoming holidays can be a real pain. Of course, when it’s all over you realize that getting together with family is what’s most important.

Don’t stress out over the little things and make planning easier on yourself by making lists. Using a calendar can really help, too. You don’t have to do anything right now except plan, and that will make everything else much more simple!

Depending on the number of guests you’ll have, cooking a Thanksgiving dinner can seem daunting, but if every part of the meal is planned, then it really is a piece of cake!

1. Make a list of the guests you plan to invite.
2. Real Simple advises that you buy ¾ to 1 pound of turkey per person and an extra pound per person if you want leftovers. So write down the weight of the turkey you plan on buying depending on the number of guests you’ll have.
3. Write down as many sides as you think you’ll need, including veggies. Remember, you can cook some sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing the night before and heat them up on the day of the dinner. You’ll have more room in the kitchen this way.
4. Check your cupboards for ingredients you already have and can use for Thanksgiving dinner, as well as containers, cooking utensils, and baking dishes you might need. You’ll definitely have plenty of leftovers!