8 Things To Get Ready For The Perfect Thanksgiving

1. Check Your Cookware And Kitchen Tools

In addition to planning your menu, it's just as important to make sure you have all the cookware and kitchen tools you'll need to prepare the perfect Thanksgiving dinner. Do you need a roasting pan, more pie dishes, or a meat thermometer? If you haven't already, now's the time to list down what you will need and start getting them so you will be ready.

 2. Make A Schedule Of Events For Thanksgiving Day

Even if you've done a lot of planning ahead of time, it's helpful to have a schedule of how the day will play out and what needs to happen, especially when it comes to dishes that have to go in the oven. Have a schedule planned out so you won’t be rushing the dishes when your guests arrive at your doorstep.

3. Make Out Your Grocery List

While your recipes are sitting on the counter and your grocery list is in your purse, check your cupboards to verify the supplies you do have on hand. While you're at it, check the freshness date on your baking powder and make sure you have enough cinnamon, vanilla extract, and other spices. Now is the time to compile your grocery list. It will be ready far enough in advance for you to take advantage of all those grocery store specials leading up to Thanksgiving week.

4. Review Your Recipes

When you're dealing with a recipe, relying on your memory can spell disaster. Drag out all your recipes, and review the ingredients again. Start a list of ingredients with quantities. Make this the year you don't have to send your significant other on an emergency store run for some sugar or a pound (or two) of butter.

 5. Clean The Oven

A clean oven cooks food more evenly, and if you've ever needed an oven you can count on, this is the time. Dirty ovens will also send out plumes of foul-smelling smoke as the food stuck to the bottom of the oven continues to burn. Thanksgiving Day is not the time to call on your local fire department to come to see your tarnished oven.

Self-cleaning ovens make the task easier, but even if you don't have one, you'll be ahead of the game if you clean up the oven now. There are several products on the market that can help cut down on a sore arm and aching back, too.

 6. Prep Your Fridge

You may think that Thanksgiving is all about the bird, but that's only part of the story. Appetizers, side dishes, and desserts are important, too. If you're having guests over, a few will invariably bring something, and the dishes you prepare yourself will have to be stored somewhere. Keeping the fridge relatively clear until you need it, is a good idea too. If you like to cook large meals, scale down until after the holiday by freezing what you don't plan on using right away.

7.Prep Your Tablescape

Because Thanksgiving is such a big holiday, it's only natural to want everything to look great, be sure to get everything out and ready in plenty of time. The regular tableware might not be enough to bring out the festive vibe, and you will definitely need to get more props to plan your tablescape and that can be a challenge. Thus when you're trying to design an attractive centerpiece, choose a special tablecloth, pick the perfect flowers, and come up with a cunningly folded napkin design, you may need some time and patience to get everything to work together. If it all seems like too much, skip it. If you start far enough ahead, though, you may be able to get some of the design stuff locked down before the real fun begins.

8. Review Your Utensil Inventory

You are going to have the whole family over for Thanksgiving Dinner so it is important that you stock up enough utensils for everyone instead of the usual utensil inventory. Check your utensils inventory and get them stock up to clear that off your checklist!

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