Getting Organized
(featured column)
Holiday
Planning: An Organized Thanksgiving
by
Maria Gracia
Thanksgiving is meant to be a time
of remembrance, family and thanks, not a holiday of stress and chaos. Here are 9
easy ways to stay organized for an enjoyable, stress-free Thanksgiving Day:
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LEAVE COOKING AND CLEANING BEHIND. These days, many
people opt to go out for Thanksgiving, instead of cooking and cleaning at home.
If you’re an extremely busy person, this may also work for you. If you don’t
want to miss the feeling of being at home, perhaps you might have the main
course at a restaurant, and later have pie and coffee at home. In addition, lots
of supermarkets and restaurants offer fully cooked Thanksgiving dinners. You
simply pick everything up and place it on your table ready to be served, and if
you must add a personal touch, make one special dish of your own.
PREPARE FOR TRAVELING. If you’re traveling this Thanksgiving, be sure
to make your packing list well ahead of time. Check items off as you’re
putting them into your luggage. Bring this list with you and use it to repack
when you’re ready to return home. By the way, I usually suggest that you
travel a few days before Thanksgiving and come back a few days after the
Thanksgiving rush. Otherwise, you’re going to spend a lot of time in airports,
on the road, in line, etc.
LET'S TALK TURKEY. First, determine how much room you have in your
freezer and refrigerator, and how many people you will be serving. Then, order
your turkey. If you need more storage space, perhaps a neighbor or relative can
help you out. Rather than defrosting a frozen turkey in water on Thanksgiving
Day, defrost it a few days ahead in your refrigerator instead. This saves tons
of time!
INVITE GUESTS IN A SNAP. If you haven’t already sent out invitations,
you may consider simply calling possible guests instead. You won’t have to
spend a ton of time writing and mailing, and you usually get an RSVP
immediately.
CHECK YOUR INVENTORY. Check your supply of chairs, tables, dishes,
glasses, pots, pans, serving plates and utensils. Arrange to buy, rent or borrow
anything you don’t have.
PLAN YOUR MEAL. Plan your meal from appetizers to dessert on a piece of
paper. Make a list of all ingredients needed. Bring your list when you go
shopping and check items off as you put them in your cart.
COOK AHEAD. Make any meals that you can well ahead of time, and freeze
them. On Thanksgiving Day, just defrost, heat and serve. You will save tons of
time, plus you’ll be able to join in the festivities without being stuck in
the kitchen.
GET READY THE NIGHT BEFORE. You’ll be happy you took care of a few
things the night before. Set the table. Get the good silverware out of storage.
Lay out your wardrobe--and your kids’ wardrobes.
DON’T FORGET THE IMPORTANT STUFF. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to
be thankful for health, family, friends and all that life has to offer. Some
people choose to say grace. Others prefer to simply have a moment of silence
before dinner and football. Still others like to make time to read a
Thanksgiving Story or a poem. Make a list of the things you want to do to make
the day a special one and reference your list so you don’t forget them.
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Copyright
© 2005 by Maria Gracia, author of Finally
Organized, Finally Free! All rights reserved.
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