And by “tips” I mean my crazy prep schedule to get ready for the day before Christmas Decoration, known to many of you as Thanksgiving.
My mental prep for Thanksgiving starts weeks earlier as I lie in bed at 5am scrolling through recipes. Eventually we work up to the week of Thanksgiving and that’s when the magic really happens.
The Thanksgiving Prep Timeline
Weekend before Thanksgiving: Fix the oven.
Inevitably, something will happen to our stove, as it does every year. And like clockwork, our small oven stopped working at the end of last week. So Mr. KK had to quickly order spare parts and hope that 1. those were the parts that would fix what was wrong and 2. if we could actually fix it. Sunday morning, Mr. KK fixed the oven. My hero!
Monday before Thanksgiving: Create the master menu list.
I take out my trusty notebook that I use for all holidays and parties and make the master list of what I’m going to make for Thanksgiving. I then go through each recipe and list the ingredients that I need to purchase under each item. This involves cross-checking the recipes with what I have in the pantry and fridge. I also put all of the recipes in one place (usually in the Notes app on my phone) so I’m ready to go. Meanwhile, Mr. KK makes his to-do list for Thanksgiving. This usually includes things like “remove the screens from the windows” and “vacuum out the fireplaces”. You know, Thanksgiving things.
Tuesday before Thanksgiving: Make the Shopping list.
This is the day I take the Monday list of ingredients and create the actual shopping list that I’m going to use on my trip. This entails organizing all of the ingredients on a fresh piece of paper in the order of how the grocery store is laid out.
Once the list is made, I will then go through my recipes and map out what needs to be made on Thursday, and what prep work and dishes I can put together on Wednesday. Mr. KK prepares the brine for the turkey that we’ll be frying. I also went to BJ’s to pick up a few items that would bankrupt me at the regular grocery store.
Wednesday Before Thanksgiving: Official Prep Begins
7am: enter the grocery store, list in hand. Hopefully find everything that I need to prevent a second trip later on.
On the list to prep on Wednesday:
- Juice fruit for cocktails (priorities!)
- Make cranberry sauce
- Prep side dishes
- Toast bread for stuffing
- Have my first “we’re off for four days” cocktail
- Put the leaves in the table
- Go to the liquor store (Mr. KK)
- Manicure (kk)
Thursday: The Big Day
7:30am: attend a cardio barre class. This year, I’m going to kickstart the day by working out so I can feel energized!
And then, the madness begins!
- Prepping sides
- Putting sticky notes on every casserole dish with the temperature for the oven and how long it needs to cook
- Setting alarms on my phone labeled “put turkey in oven” and “turn on turkey fryer” to help keep my sanity throughout the day
- Have a cocktail
- Set the table
- Take out all the platters and serving bowls
- Mix up the batch cocktail
- Wipe down the counters
- Put out the snacks
- Get ready for the show!
And you already know what Friday morning is….KK up by herself at 5am quietly removing turkeys and pumpkins and acorns from around the house…
Life of kk 