5 Tasks to Check Off Your Thanksgiving To-Do List a Week Early
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(Image credit: Monica Wang)
If you’re preparing to host Thanksgiving dinner this year, you may be feeling like this week is the silence before the storm. Rather than let nerves build to a day-of crescendo, here are some things you can check off of that Thanksgiving to-do list a full week in advance, freeing up time on the holiday itself:
- Make a shopping list. Depending upon what’s on your list, you might be able to even get your shopping out of the way now, before stores are overcrowded. You probably know by now what is on the Thanksgiving Day menu. Having a shopping list (for groceries and supplies) will free you from worrying about what you need and will help you plan.
- Deep clean. A deep cleaning of your home, even now, will still be evident next week. This will allow you to do just quick spot cleaning and tidying the day before or day of. It will also make your preparations more pleasant and efficient, with everything clean and organized. Take a peek at this post for ideas on how to break up the work and schedule your time: The Stress Free Plan: How To Clean House for a Party
- Make personal touches. Are you making place cards for the dinner table? Or arranging a centerpiece yourself? Many handmade touches can be crafted now, while you have the time for it to be a joy carried out in love instead of a task done in haste. Here are some ideas to get you started: DIY Project Decorating Ideas: Candlelight for the Holiday Table and our easy tutorial on How To Build a Centerpiece
- Create a playlist. This is another fun part of preparing for any dinner party and can be done way in advance. Here is one of our playlists, in case you’d like to give it a listen for ideas: Perfect Playlist: Cozy Winter Dinner Party
- Prepare guest accommodations. If you’re hosting any guests overnight, now’s the time to give your guest room or sleeper sofa a once-over and prepare it for company. Sheets, towels, toiletries, etc.: if you are all ready before out-of-towners arrive, they’ll feel like you’ve been waiting for them excitedly instead of squeezing them in between cleaning and cooking. Here is a post how to make them comfortable: How To Make Guests Feel Welcome And, one for those of us without a separate guestroom: Real Life Advice: Hosting Guests Without a Guestroom