One week from today you'll be baking chocolate cakes, pies, and tortes in preparation for the great Thanksgiving feast (okay, maybe a pumpkin pie, too). Here's a checklist to make it easier on the Big Day:
- Check with guests to make sure you know who's coming, what they plan to bring, and any special needs.
- If there'll be infants or pets coming along, now's the time to rent or borrow a crib, playpen, or other items to keep them safe in a household that isn't always prepared for pets or babies.
- Check table linens to make sure they're all clean and ready.
- Write the names of the dishes you'll serve and tuck them into the appropriate serving dishes. This keeps you from having a pan of mashed potatoes and nowhere to put it.
- If you fall short in linens or serving pieces, ask around and see if you can borrow or swap items.
- Clean out the coat closet -- it's easy to forget that until guests arrive and ask where to put their coats!
- Set up music, or make it easy on yourself by planning a custom radio station for your party at Pandora.com.
- Hunt down simple board games to supplement conversation. Sports equipment, too, for those after-the-feast football and Frisbee games. It's frustrating to have a spontaneous plan to play turn into a long search for the equipment.
- Appetizers may be over the top for Thanksgiving, but you may also have teens or others who find it hard to wait for the holiday's typical late lunchtime. Set out chocolates or mixed nuts for guests who arrive hungry so you won't have to rush serving the meal. If they're not eaten, they can simply be put away for the next party.
- Gather plastic storage containers so you can send leftovers home with your guests.
