Thanksgiving countdown: Here's what to do — starting today — to prep for holiday gathering

Thanksgiving is just two days away.

While the truly prepared are already polishing their napkin rings, the rest of us are just starting to wonder, "How can I not want to throw a gravy boat out the window?"

Let me start by saying, striving for perfection is overrated. The messiness and imperfectness of the holidays is part of what makes each one memorable and particular to your family or the band of friends with whom you share the occasion.

Still, there are strategies and tricks to making sure Thanksgiving runs smoothly. By now, you've probably planned your menu, your guest list and done some initial shopping. Here's a game plan for getting things done ahead of time so you can truly enjoy the turkey and pie along with your gang.

TODAY

1. Create a timeline leading all the way up to the "Dinner is Served" moment. Determine when you are going to get things done. Write down all of the little things, like putting the mashed potatoes into the oven to reheat, filling the ice bucket, setting out the appetizers.
2. Do the Turkey Math: Calculate how long the turkey needs to thaw. And remember that it might take up the whole oven when it is time to roast. Plan accordingly.
3. Delegate: Giving people a written list of tasks with a time frame makes things clear for them, and lets you hand off things neatly.
4. Make sure you have all nonperishables, including drinks (alcoholic and non), canned and boxed items (broth, cranberries), baking staples (flour, butter, refrigerated pie crusts -- what? They are terrific!), and also sturdier produce such as potatoes, apples, squash and carrots.
5. Give any silver a quick polish (although I firmly believe the slightly tarnished look is in), iron any tablecloths and cloth napkins (although I firmly believe the slightly wrinkled look is in), find those candlesticks and candles.
6. Find the roasting pans, food processor blades, potato ricers, whatever equipment you'll need. Wash whatever hasn't been touched since last year.

WEDNESDAY

1. Back to the market for the greens, herbs, flowers and so on. And also all the other stuff you forgot the first time (bay leaves, extra onions, chicken broth).
2. Make as many sides and desserts as possible ahead of time. Brussels sprouts, green bean casseroles, mashed potatoes, roasted or pureed squash dishes, salad dressing, cranberry sauce, pies -- all of these can be made ahead of time. Thanksgiving menus are usually full of sturdy dishes that can be reheated on the stovetop, in the microwave or in the oven. Plot out which dish you will reheat in which way.
3. Set the table, and/or lay out the buffet. Put out all serving platters and serving utensils, and put Post-Its on them so you know what will go in each plate and bowl.
4. Clean, prep and chop any ingredients for the day of.
5. Set up the bar.

THURSDAY

1. Above all, pay attention to when that turkey needs to go into the oven. We start every Thanksgiving with my mother yelling, "I forgot to put the turkey in! We're going to eat at midnight!"
2. Let people bring things. When Aunt Bunny asks what she can bring, don't say "just bring yourself" -- say "cheese." And you can even tell her to bring three different kinds, about ½ pound of each, so that you get what you need. And remind her to bring crackers.
3. Think of tasks to assign and let people help (otherwise known as, don't be a martyr). So when Uncle Ivan comes into the kitchen looking for a job, you will be able to point him toward the salad for dressing and tossing.
4. Don't be afraid of room temperature food. Hey, by the time everyone serves themselves and finds a seat, the food isn't going to be super-hot anyway! Give yourself permission to not stress about getting all the food to the table piping hot at the same time. When you go back for seconds, it's always room temperature anyway, right? And has that ever slowed anyone down? Certainly not Cousin Kevin.

THE DAY AFTER

The next day, when you sit down with a bowl of turkey noodle soup and some leftover pinot noir, you can tuck those notes from your super-organized, stress-free Thanksgiving away in a folder marked "I Kicked Thanksgiving's Butt," and be that far ahead of the game this time next year.

Katie Workman has written two cookbooks focused on easy, family-friendly cooking, Dinner Solved! and The Mom 100 Cookbook. She blogs at themom100.com/about-katie-workman.

Style on 11/20/2018