Two weeks ahead

• Make your menu and identify ingredients and supplies needed
• Preorder any ready-made food items or fresh turkey

One week ahead

• Shop for hardy vegetables such as onions, carrots and potatoes, and purchase high-demand essentials like cranberries, heavy cream, cream cheese and butter
• Clean all serving dishes and polish silver if needed
• Calculate thawing time for your turkey, if frozen
• Start making and storing extra ice for beverages  
• Clean your natural gas cooktop and oven

Three days ahead

• Clean the house and arrange furniture for extra guests
• Purchase and arrange fresh flowers or fruits for table arrangements

Two days ahead  

• Make any bread, cornbread or biscuits used in recipes
• Bake pie crusts for assembly and final baking tomorrow
• Bake other dessert items on the menu
• Prepare menu items that can be stored in the refrigerator
• Assemble casseroles (such as sweet potatoes or green beans)  
• Cut and cube bread for stuffing and dry on a baking pan

One day before

• Set the table
• Prepare fresh vegetables and store in the refrigerator
• Bake sweet potatoes so they’ll be ready for the final recipe presentation
• Complete any remaining baking. Cover and store fruit pies at room temperature
• Plan cooking order of all dishes
• Make sure the turkey is thawed completely before you go to bed for the night  

Thanksgiving Day

First tasks of the day

• Prepare stuffing and/or dressing
• Peel and chop vegetables for recipe preparation
• Boil and mash potatoes; reheat just before serving
• Check cooking times based on turkey weight and begin cooking accordingly

Second tasks of the day

• Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey
• One hour before the turkey is done, begin cooking fresh vegetables and prepare other foods to go into the oven (stuffing, rolls, etc.)
• Put the butter on the table to soften

While the cooked turkey is resting  

• Put an aluminum-foil tent over the turkey and allow it to rest for 20-25 minutes before carving
• Bake dishes and warm already-prepared foods
• Remove desserts from the refrigerator to allow them time to reach room temperature
• Make the gravy and preheat the gravy boat with hot water so the gravy will stay warm