1 to 2 Weeks Before Thanksgiving

• Confirm the number of guests and plan your menu.
• Order the appropriate-size turkey.
• Plan your table setting, serving dishes and decorations.
• Read through all the recipes and make your preliminary shopping lists and to-do lists.
• Shop for any essential cooks’ tools, cooking equipment and tableware you will need.
• Take table linens to the dry cleaner for cleaning and pressing.

A Few Days Before Thanksgiving

• Finalize your shopping lists.
• Shop for staples, produce and other fresh foods.
• Prepare any food that can be made in advance, such as pie pastry and cranberry sauce.
• If you purchased a frozen turkey, begin thawing it out in the refrigerator.
• If you plan to brine the turkey, prepare the brine but do not add the turkey; cover and refrigerate.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

• If you ordered a fresh turkey, pick it up or have it delivered.
• If you are going to brine the turkey, place it in the brine and refrigerate.
• Complete your food shopping.
• Make turkey stock for gravy and dressing.
• Chop ingredients for the dressing, such as onions and celery; refrigerate in covered bowls or plastic bags.
• Chop the herbs for various dishes; refrigerate in covered bowls or plastic bags.
• Bake the pies and tarts.
• Chill the wines and water.

The Evening Before Thanksgiving

• Cut fresh bread into chunks for the dressing; leave out overnight to dry.
• Set the table.
• Organize the before-dinner drinks.
• Organize the tea and coffee service.
• Determine what time the turkey will go into the oven.
• Organize the serving dishes.
• Get a good night’s sleep!

Thanksgiving Day

Early Morning

• Have breakfast and organize your day.
• Confirm the time to remove the turkey from the refrigerator and the time to put it in the oven.
• Peel and cut the potatoes; set them in cold water.

4 to 5 Hours Before Dinner

• While the oven preheats, prepare the turkey for roasting.
• Place the turkey in the oven at the determined time.
• Prepare the dressing.
• Check the table setting to make sure all is in order.

1 to 2 Hours Before Dinner

• Cook the potatoes.
• Put the cranberry sauce on the table.
• Serve drinks and hors d’oeuvres to guests.

45 Minutes to 1 Hour Before Dinner

• When the turkey is done, transfer to a warmed platter and cover with aluminum foil.
• Finish preparing the dressing, then bake the dressing and cook or reheat side dishes.
• Make the gravy.
• Mash the potatoes.
• Place the dinner plates in the warm oven.
• Seat your guests, carve the turkey and serve dinner.