Beginning of October

• Set time and Date (if not on thanksgiving day)
• Decide if it is going to be all prepared by you or if you are asking everyone to bring a dish. If I am just having a couple of couples I just cook it all but this year I am planning on about 50 so everyone will be bringing a dish)
• Order or make Thanksgiving invitations

End of October

• Mail out invitations
• I also set up a Facebook event for our dinner

Beginning of November

• If using paper products go on and buy them while you have a good selection to choose from (and it helps spread out the cost) Clean up is SO Much easier with paper and plastic products but I really prefer to pull out the china and sliver. I do buy paper napkins (My mother always uses fabric napkins but I don’t like to iron) and I buy paper dessert plates.
• If guests are bringing a dish when they say what they are bringing make sure you keep a running record.

Mid November

• Make menu for what you are making and grocery lists.
• Double check you list of serving items, paper products etc.
• Plan where you will place food, tables etc. I have to move some furntuire so make sure you have it planned out.

Week Before

• Final grocery lists made.
• Polish any sliver or wash china that have not been used for a while.
• I have over night guests so I change all the bed lines and make sure bath linens are ready to go.

Sunday

• Clean Guest rooms and I shut the doors to make sure the dogs or kids don’t mess it up.
• Clean out both refrigerators.
• Start saving ice.

Monday

• Grocery Shopping, if you are using fresh fruit or making a green salad you may have to wait till later in the week.

Tuesday

• Move any furniture that needs to be moved (that way things are moved BEFORE you start cleaning)
• Chop and prep ANYTHING you can do ahead of time and I mean EVERYTHING you can.

Wednesday

• Clean the house other than sweeping and mopping.
• Make pies.
• Put together any dishes that will hold up well.

 THANKSGIVING

• Sweep & Mop
• Put turkey in the oven
• Finishing touches on all the dishes
• Clean kitchen
• Sit down for 30 minutes and relax then get yourself ready
• ENJOY!

I also like to provide take home containers since everyone brings a dish this allows everyone to take a little home for later and it is ALWAYS A BIG HIT! I can’t find the location of the site I found these ready to print off or I would share it with you, but These are super cute too!