We
have entered into November! And it’s
amazing to think that Thanksgiving is just three weeks away. To avoid the last minute struggle to pull off
a polished turkey day, now is the time to get planning.
By
now, you likely want to have “the family plan.”
Are you staying in town or traveling?
Which branch of the family is going to another relative’s home? If these are things that have not been
discussed with your spouse, your parents, or other family members you gather
with, now is the time.
If
you are traveling, the main details to be on top of are travel arrangements and
food. Ensure your family is well
equipped with appropriate luggage. If
the family vehicle is in need of service, beat the last minute rush and take
care of things like an oil change or tire rotation in advance. If you are flying, confirm your flight
reservations and collect all the travel documents in a plastic document case
you store with your carryon bag. If you
are arriving with a food dish or dessert, plan for your groceries ahead of time
and have a transportation plan in mind.
Disposal baking trays can be handy and do not require you to hang on to
a glass baking dish for the trip home.
If you will be buying your groceries and making or baking on-site, make
your full grocery list ahead of time and remember to take your recipes with
you.
If
you will be playing host or hostess this year, plan indeed. Write out your guest list and start planning
for table seating count. Do you have
enough - or will you need to make arrangements for – chairs, chargers or
placemats, and place settings? If
company will be staying over, work on your sleeping arrangement to accommodate
your guests. If your children will need
to double up to offer up one bedroom, prep for that. Start putting together guest sheet sets
inside the matching pillow cases for easy retrieval, along with gathering and
laundering blankets and other bedding. Stock
up on guest toiletries like extra toothbrushes, shampoo, and shower gel. Have household extras on hand for the influx
of guests, like laundry detergent, dish washing liquid, and paper goods. Coordinate with guests about who is
responsible for what dishes and start your menu plan and grocery list. To make the week-of run most smoothly, write
out a plan for tasks to accomplish each day, such as when to shop, thaw the
turkey, pick out serving dishes, set the table beforehand, and so forth.
The
more you plan in advance, the more time you will have to enjoy your company and
soak in the start of the holidays. It is
a time to celebrate, reflect, and acknowledge all you have to be thankful
for. A good jump start can be just what
you need to give you the time and space to do just that.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star November 4th.
