Here's a week-by-week, and day-by-day countdown of things you can do in the lead up to Thanksgiving. You may not need to do all of them, or you may have extra you need to add in! If you can do a little every week or day, you'll have very little to do on the day and can really enjoy yourself.

Two Weeks To Go:

• Invite your guests and confirm final numbers this week so you know how many you are catering for.
• Ask each guest to contribute something - Remember, Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to enjoy a shared feast, so it's fine to ask guests to contribute something.
• Hire any catering supplies such as tables, chairs, glassware, cutlery, dinnerware, and serving platters you need.
• Order your turkey.
• Take half an hour to go through your menu. Make your life easier by choosing some recipes that can be made ahead, some to be served cold, and some that can be cooked at the same time as your turkey.
• Make sure your turkey will fit in your oven.
• Shop for non-perishable goods now, like flour, sugar, frozen cranberries, alcohol and soft drink.

One Week To Go:

• Give the house a thorough clean now so that all it needs closer to the day is a bit of a spruce up.
• Wash the tablecloths and napkins, and the dinner setting and glasses you want to use.
• Check the roasting dish for the turkey and make sure it's in good condition and large enough for the job.
• Shop for all the pumpkins, squash, potatoes, etc to get them out of the way.
• Cook any bread rolls or dishes that can be prepared ahead and frozen.

Monday:

• If your turkey is frozen, take it out of the freezer this morning and put it in your fridge to thaw. It's really important to thaw your turkey carefully and thoroughly.
• Continue to cook any dishes that can be prepared ahead and frozen.

Tuesday:

• If possible, set the dining table today. Cover the whole thing with a sheet and forget about it.
• Now you can make dishes to keep fresh in the fridge until Thursday. Anything that just needs warming up or will cook quickly once the turkey is out of the oven is ideal. For example:

1. Cranberry sauce or relish
2. Turkey stuffing or dressing
3. Pies or pie crusts
4. Soups
5. Casseroles
6. Bread and pastry

• Put the wine, beer and soft drink in the fridge to chill.

Wednesday:

• Do a final shop and buy the fresh ingredients you need, like salad leaves and herbs. Don't forget to buy extra plastic wrap, aluminum foil, toilet paper, and paracetamol. They're always good to have on hand.
• Today is a good day to bake any pies and side dishes you have left to do.
• If you ordered a fresh turkey, pick it up today and put it straight into your refrigerator.
• Pick up or take delivery of any hired catering goods today.
• Write up a quick list of your dishes for tomorrow so you can work out what has to go into the oven and when.
• Give the house a quick spruce up.

What To Do On Thanksgiving Day:

• Preheat the oven as soon as you get up.
• Stuff the turkey and get it into the oven according to your recipes instructions.
• Get any dishes into the oven that need to cook with the turkey.
• Prepare any dishes that had to wait until the last minute and any vegetables that will cook alongside the turkey later - they can be covered and put into the refrigerator until needed.
• Take the dust sheet off the dining table and add any finishing touches you like.
• Take desserts or any other dishes that need to be served at room temperature out of the refrigerator.
• Remember to delegate as much as you can. People are happy to help so let them!
• Once the turkey is roasted, cover it in a foil tent and leave it to rest while any remaining dishes are baked or warmed.
• Make the gravy.
• Are there any dessert pies that can be baked or warmed while you have the main courses? Put them in the oven now.

Enjoy yourself. Happy Thanksgiving!