How to Prepare for Thanksgiving Dinner
One of my joys during the year is planning Thanksgiving dinner. My kids love eating my moist delicious turkey wrapped in bacon. You can find the recipe here.
I start shopping for Thanksgiving several weeks before the holiday. Why? Because shopping for Thanksgiving can be expensive. The biggest turkeys are gone first and who wants a 12 lb turkey? My perfect sized turkey is about 18-20 lbs.
What else is on my list as I’m preparing Thanksgiving dinner?
Here is my shopping list for Thanksgiving. This is mainly for my kids who someday will need to fix Thanksgiving for their families.
- 18-20 lb Fresh Turkey
- 1 lb of bacon
- Two pounds of butter (need one lb just for the turkey)
- Vanilla
- 18 eggs
- 2 prepared pie crusts
- 2 tubes crescent rolls
- 5 lbs of potatoes
- 1 can of cranberry jelly
- 3 boxes StoveTop Stuffing
- 3 lbs apples
- 3 lbs onions
- 1 package of dried cranberries
- Mushrooms
- 3 cans of green beans
- Cream of Mushroom soup
- FRENCH’S Crispy Fried Onions.
- Spices
- Sage
- Thyme
- Lawrys Seasoning Salt
- Grinder Pepper
When Is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving Holiday Decorations
As I’m planning Thanksgiving I set the table the day before. It saves time and stress on Thanksgiving Day to relax and visit with family. I break out my China and good silverware.
Yes, I set a traditional Thanksgiving table. I put in all the leaves and gather chairs from all over the house. My family is small compared to friends with extended families. Since our nuclear family is small, usually 6-8 people, we can all gather in the dinning room.
All the food goes on the table, the Turkey taking center stage and dishes getting passed. We don’t eat buffet style on Thanksgiving. I get a new tablecloth and napkins every Thanksgiving and it’s not easy to find a 72″ table cloth.
I’ve learned a few secrets to setting a large dining table. Use TWO Table cloths overlapping each other.
Use two ta
