More Thanksgiving Advice

My friend, Jackie Kelley, Personal and Professional Organizer Extraordinaire (http://clearinghousenow.com) , adds these suggestions for preparing to host Thanksgiving dinner. If you have your own tips, questions, or suggestions, please add them here as a comment.

I’ve done my share and grew up watching my mother and aunt put on amazing meals for 30+ people every year (my immediate family growing up was 11 people!)

1. Delegate, delegate, delegate as much as possible – easiest if you are planning the menu and can farm out dessert, side dishes, table arrangements and extra chair duties.

2. Plan menu and shop for staples the week before. This prepares you to make dishes ahead of time that you can freeze or store for a few days in the fridge (pies, cheesecakes, soups). Also helps if you are hosting out of town guests and need meals for days after the holiday. Keep a separate list for perishables and fresh vegetables to shop for a day or two before.

3. Review items in your refrigerator and pantry before you food shop to inventory what you have and to clear space of old items. Food in your fridge and pantry should always be food with a plan; make use of them or move them out.

4. Keep flat surfaces and counter tops in your kitchen cleared. A clear countertop makes the kitchen more organized and feel more welcoming. Especially important if others will be working at your side during the holiday.

5. Before Thanksgiving, quickly inventory your food container collection to assess storage needs for leftovers, to aid in a quick cleanup and doggie-bag delivery for parting guests (there’s always someone who wants that leftover stuffing!) Make sure you have enough lids that fit or at least an extra box of foil!

6. Set out empty serving dishes (and flag with post-it) for each menu item to prepare for the last minute get-on-the-table rush, and to make it easier for others to help dish out.

7. Involve the kids by assigning jobs for each. Prepare list of guests to aid them in setting table, making place cards and setting out nibbler snacks.