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Just two weekends 'til turkey |
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Written by Judy Wiley, MCT
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Friday, 09 November 2007 |
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You have two weekends - yes, just two weekends before Thanksgiving. Don't believe us? Go check the calendar; the holiday is early this year.
Which means it's time to get organized, at least if you're trying to avoid a repeat of last year, when the gravy set up like lard while you were rummaging for the gravy boat (it was in the attic), and Aunt Millie refused to sleep in the guest bedroom because it smelled like dog (that's where he sleeps). Sure, everyone (mostly) loves you anyway, but wouldn't you rather have a less stressful Turkey Day?
So we found some people who are good at this: Lupe Ayala, owner of La Playa Maya in Fort Worth, Texas, who makes two turkeys - one Mexican-style, one traditional - at home every year to feed 25 to 40 family members; Sandee Larkin, owner of Harrison House in Waxahachie, Texas, who is planning dinner for 42 family members at her bed and breakfast this year; and B.K. McCollum, who runs B.K.'s Creative Catering in Fort Worth.
Our experts helped us craft a two-weekend plan of attack for the holiday, full of practical steps you might forget to do otherwise, plus some wonderful touches to help your guests feel welcome, happy and appreciated. Because isn't that what Thanksgiving is really all about?
GETTING AHEAD THIS WEEKEND
The planning
1. Make a guest list, if you haven't already.
2. Put together your menu - for the holiday meal; any other meals you'll be serving while your guests are here; and snacks that overnight guests will enjoy (fruit, sandwich ingredients, etc.).
3. Call everyone and confirm whether they'll attend. Make note of food allergies, number of children attending (will you need booster seats? highchairs?) and any older folks who might need extra help.
4. If Thanksgiving dinner is potluck, get the dishes assigned.
5. Sit down with your menus and "start building a game plan," Ayala says. Make a shopping list, divided into perishables and nonperishables.
6. Include any needed guest-room items on the list; see below.
Tip: McCollum says to keep the dinner menu handy, because you can check it quickly when the meal is ready. That way, you won't forget the cranberry sauce in the refrigerator.
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The work - for the meal
1. Buy the nonperishables today, and if you plan to order a fresh turkey, get that done today. If you're planning on a frozen bird, figure out the poundage and time required to thaw it in the refrigerator, the safe way to do it.
2. From Ayala: Calibrate your oven. Get a meat thermometer you know is accurate, set the oven temperature, and after it's heated, check to see that the two match. If not, adjust your oven dial accordingly when you cook this year.
3. If you're trying a new recipe this year, make it now, McCollum says. And eat it, too, to make sure it's good.
4. Iron the tablecloth and napkins. If you want new ones, get them now.
5. Consider seating. Do you have enough? If not, do you want to have dinner in two seatings, or just one? If you need to rent or borrow tables, chairs and child seats, take care of that.
6. Get out the silver for polishing, and make sure you have enough place settings. If you don't, put the everyday cutlery on the kids' tables. Make sure you have enough serving pieces.
7. Wipe down or wash any crystal you plan to use, and fill the good salt and pepper shakers.
8. Decide on a table centerpiece. If you're using a dried arrangement, get what you need and make it, or buy one. Fresh flowers should wait until later.
9. Clean out the refrigerator, especially if you're having overnight guests, Larkin says, and check the dates on condiments. Throw out anything that's expired.
10. If you're using candles, check your supply and add them to the shopping list if needed. Add firewood to the list, if you have a fireplace and plan to use it.
11. If you want background music, decide what it should be, and get something new if necessary.
12. Locate any kids' games you want to share with guests. Rent or borrow some age-appropriate movies. Get new boxes of crayons and drawing paper or appropriate coloring books.
Shortcut: McCollum says you can bake all your cornbread, crumble it and freeze it now for use later in stuffing.
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The work - for overnight guests
1. De-clutter the guest room. (Save the serious cleaning for next weekend.)
2. Make sure the room has an easy-to-use alarm clock and that it's set to the correct time, Larkin says.
3. Clean out a drawer for guest use - make it one that is easy to reach, especially if the guest is older.
4. Make sure there's a spot for the guest to open a suitcase, and another place to store it.
5. Make a "Do Not Disturb" sign so the guest can take a nap or have some time alone, says Martha Beck on www.oprahwinfrey.com.
6. If appropriate, make sure you have an extra set of keys to your home, so guests can get in and out with no problems. And make a note to show them how to use the security system.
7. Make sure the guest bathroom is stocked with soap, clean towels and toilet paper.
8. Buy sample-sized packs of cotton swabs, pain relievers and toothpaste, along with disposable razors, nail polish remover, nail files, nail clippers and toothbrushes and stock them in the bathroom. People often forget these, Larkin says.
9. Make sure the guest room has a good bedside reading light, so your guest doesn't have to get up to turn off the lights.
10. Wash bedding and break the news to the dog that he's not sleeping in there for a while. Keep the door shut.
Shortcut: Larkin says to load all your personal items in the guest room into a plastic bin as you de-clutter. That will make it easier to put them back later.
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Going the extra mile
Yes, you've done a lot already, but consider these thoughtful touches that Larkin suggests for your overnight guests:
1. If you have a framed photo of the guest, maybe one with you, put it in the room.
2. If the alarm clock has a CD player, you could get a CD by your guest's favorite artist and place it nearby.
3. Make room for hanging clothes, and put a few pretty padded hangers in the closet.
4. Install night lights in the guest bedroom and the bathroom.
5. If you know their interests, get a couple of current magazines your guests would like. Or, if you've just read a book you like, leave it in the guest room with a note inside saying you loved it and hope they will, too.
6. Leave a clean, warm robe and slippers in the room - most people don't pack these.
7. McCollum says don't forget a box of tissues for the room.
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Next weekend and beyond Planning
Consider the week ahead:
1. If you're getting a frozen turkey, you should know from last weekend when to buy it. Ayala puts it in a refrigerator in the garage to keep it out of the way.
2. McCollum says you can get fresh flowers for the table and the guest room as early as two days before Thanksgiving, as long as they're not going to be in a hot room.
3. She also suggests fully setting the table, and placing the centerpiece two days early (cover it all with another tablecloth to keep dust off and discourage fingerprints).
4. Relishes can also go in crystal bowls (covered) two days before, McCollum says.
5. Ayala makes tamales, which is, as he notes, "a two-day ordeal," so remember to include that in your timetable if you're having them.
The work
1. Saturday is the big work day - deep-clean any part of the house where guests will be. Don't forget the fireplace.
2. Find the bowl you'll use for fresh fruit, kept out where guests will be comfortable helping themselves.
3. Check to make sure you have fresh milk and other perishables for guests. Shop for the perishables on your list from last weekend.
Shortcut: Menu in hand, decide what goes in each serving dish and locate them. Several websites and McCollum suggests dropping a note in each dish so you'll know what goes where. (This could prevent the hunt for the gravy boat.)
Going the extra mile
Larkin embroiders aprons for everyone who'll be in the kitchen, "even the grandbabies," but you could just buy a few. This is a functional move: People may be dressed up and still want to help out.
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GUEST-ROOM WORK
1. After you've cleaned, put your accent pillows on the bed and set out a carafe that you can fill with fresh water.
2. Make sure the toiletries you've purchased are easy to find.
3. McCollum suggests: "Just go in that room and say, 'If I'm staying in that room, what would I need?'."
Going the extra mile
1. Tie a ribbon around a pretty bath towel and leave it in the guest room, McCollum says, along with a bottle of sparkling water.
2. Larkin suggests a nightly turn-down during the visit: When your guest is busy elsewhere, remove the accent pillows and turn down the bed. Add a pretty throw at the foot of the bed, and leave a plate of homemade bedtime cookies.
3. Show overnight guests where the silverware and dishes are, so they won't have to fumble around looking for things.
4. Larkin puts out a pretty tray in the guest room holding a coffee mug, favorite teas, cider mix, etc., so guests know they are welcome to a warm drink.
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GET HELP ON ONLINE
Several Web sites are great resources for Thanksgiving planning. A few we liked:
Oprah Winfrey's site, www.oprah.com, has thought-provoking stories on topics such as gratitude, gathering and relaxing, along with recipes. Type "Thanksgiving" into the site search engine.
Better Homes & Gardens, www.bhg.com, has a great Thanksgiving countdown that starts in early November. That catch is, you have to register on the site to find it.
Blueprint magazine's site, www.marthastewart.com/blueprint, has some fresh, contemporary ideas for table settings and holiday looks. Obviously, Stewart's site also has a ton of other information, but we like Blueprint's pretty, modern take on things.
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