14 Days to an Easy Thanksgiving – Day 1: Plan your Guest List and Thanksgiving Menu

Thanksgiving is a great time of year, no doubt. You get to meet with family, friends, and loved ones, to enjoy a delicious meal, good company, and conversation. While I understand that isn’t always the case, for those who are planning a big Thanksgiving meal, there is a lot of prep involved. I have broken the biggest things into 14 different days, so two weeks before Thanksgiving (minimum), you will want to start going through all of these. On Day One, you are going to start with planning your guest list and Thanksgiving Menu.

For those of us who are in charge or are being hosts, it can get a little stressful and overwhelming. This series is 14 days to an easy Thanksgiving and it will walk you through the 14 days before Thanksgiving and what you can do to get ready each day, just a little project or task that will make your Thanksgiving day EASY! Most things are great family time ideas and things your kids can help with too!

DAY 1 – PLAN YOUR GUEST LIST AND MENU

This sounds like it would be easy, and some of you might already have this in mind, but get it down on paper and start getting finalized numbers from everyone! If it is just your immediate family, then you don’t need to worry about a “guest list” but you still need to write out your menu. This will make a big difference in the days to come, I promise! Take a few minutes and plan out who is going to be there, and how many people they are bringing. If you are worried, you an always plan on a few extra just in case.

Once you have your guest list done, start writing out a tentative menu. I say tentative because it is most likely that things will get added on or taken off depending on what you can find at the store, what you have time to make, and how many people will be there. My advice – BE FLEXIBLE! Here are some ideas of things you could add to your menu:

• Turkey
• Ham
• Gravy
• Stuffing
• Mashed Potatoes
• Yams/Sweet Potato Casserole
• Butternut Squash
• Green Bean Casserole
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Rolls
• Cranberry Sauce
• Vegetable Tray
• Fruits
• Jello
• Salads
• Pies
• Cookies
• Brownies

There is no wrong menu. Just choose foods your family likes and get them on the menu so that you can get ready!

Once you have these two things done, hang the papers on the fridge, put them in your wallet, or both! I like to make a digital list using Google Docs, Office, or something else I can access from my phone when I am shopping, traveling, etc. Making your menu and writing down your guest list is the first step to an Easy Thanksgiving!

What other items do you add to your Thanksgiving menu?

14 Days to an Easy Thanksgiving –

Day 1: Plan your Guest List and Menu

Day 2: Plan your Date and Food Assignments

Day 3: Arrange and Organize

Day 4: Shopping Day (Get your Turkey or Ham)

Day 5: Plates, Silverware, and Glasses 

Day 6: Tablecloths and Serving Dishes

Day 7: Place Cards and Decorations

Day 8: Pie/Pastry Crust and Thawing your Turkey

Day 9: Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, and Green Beans

Day 10: Shopping Day + Traditional Thanksgiving Menu

Day 11: Gravy, Onions, & Vegetables

Day 12: Butternut Squash & Greens

Day 13: Potatoes, Yams, Stuffing, Pie Filling, Turkey

Day 14: Pies and Rolls