Alright, so presumably many of you are getting ready to host your friends and family for Thanksgiving. If this is not your first rodeo, then I’m sure you have your game plan all set and ready to go.  For those of you hosting for the first time, and feeling the stress pile up, don’t worry; I’ve decided to share with you my Thanksgiving game plan, which will hopefully make for a much easier process all around.

As I’ve said many times on this blog, the key is to plan ahead – I cannot stress this point enough! The more planning ahead you do, the less time you have to spend in the kitchen on Thanksgiving.  Now, let’s get started:

1. Grab a pen and paper: Write down the menu, then make a list of all the things you need to buy, and create a schedule for all the things you need to do and work from there.
2. Plan ahead: Starting one week before, or no later than the Monday before and make sure you have all your shopping done, washed, chopped and stored away. 
3. Make ahead: Start with all the dishes that can be made beforehand, and then re-heated on the day – these include any soup, stuffing, casserole, gravy and dessert. 
4. Get the house ready: Setting the tables, putting out snacks, and chilling your drinks – all these things should be done the day before.
5. On the day: Wake up and start early.  Get everything out of the fridge to bring down to room temperature.  Prep your turkey and start buttering it up and getting it ready for the oven.
6. Be sure to start reheating the food before the guests arrive, have the serving plates ready to go, and utilise the oven to heat any remaining dishes while the turkey is resting. Of course, there is no harm in relying on an extra pair of hands (or two) to help you out!

Simple, right? It really can be! And don’t forget, this is your Thanksgiving too, and you should be enjoying it just as much as everyone else.  So, do what you can to make it happen, whether it’s by planning ahead, asking for help, or even getting a few friends to show up with a dish or two.

Any tips and tricks you’d like to share? Please do so in the comments below! And check out yufeed for some delicious turkey and Thanksgiving sides recipes!