This post is sponsored by SC Johnson. All comments and opinions are my own.
Thanksgiving is just one week from today!
By now, you probably have your menu planned and a general idea of who all is coming to dinner. With just a week left, now is the time to make sure you have everything you need to accommodate your guests and begin purchasing the food you’ll need. While it may sound trivial, making sure you have all the small details nailed down NOW will ensure that your day goes smoothly and is as stress-free as possible.
Have you planned the seating arrangements for your guests? Even if you don’t have formal seating arrangements, you need to make sure that no one is left standing. Take a minute to double check that you’ll have a place for everyone to sit…including a couple of extra spots for last minute additions!
You’ll also need to make sure you have enough plates and utensils to go around. It’s always a good idea to plan for a few extra place settings in case those unexpected guest arrive or if folks decide to hit the dinner buffet a few times. Have some back up options…there are bound to be utensils that take a spill with all those folks loading up their plates.
Be sure to have plenty of things to serve up all those tasty foods. Often overlooked, you don’t notice the problem until you find yourself scrambling to figure out what to use to serve up those mashed potatoes before they get cold! I can remember my first time hosting a big holiday meal and realizing too late that I didn’t have any nice serving spoons! It’s always those little things that cause the problems–tee hee!
Plan now and there won’t be a need to scramble when it comes to getting your home ready for the holidays. Thanks to the great deals at Publix you can stock up on all your favorite SC Johnson products in preparation for your holiday fun and get a gift card with your purchase. You’ll earn a $5 gift card when you purchase any four participating SC Johnson products from 10/1 – 11/30.
Getting your gift card is very simple. All it takes it three easy steps!
- Purchase FOUR participating products in a single transaction at Publix.
- Snap a photo of your receipt.
- Submit your photo to happythanksgathering.com
I have more great news! One iHeartPublix reader will get to stock up on great SC Johnson products to help them make their holiday great thanks to a $100 Publix gift card!
Entry is simple. You just need to complete the mandatory task below (answering my question). You can gain additional entries by completing any of the other options as well! View the Giveaway & Sweepstakes Rules.
- What tips do you have for planning ahead and preparing for the big day?
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Change your last minute planning and buying-and do it way ahead. It will be a relief for you, less stress, and maybe you will be getting even more done, and enjoy your Holidays even more 🙂
I keep a spot on my counter for all the things I.m going to use and add to it as I go – don;t want to be searching at the last minute.
Don’t wait until the last minute!! Make lists. Tackle tasks each day so the day of is less stressful.
Start early, make lists, and delegate!
I deep clean at least two weeks ahead of the big day, I shop sales and stock up as much as possible
Decorating then cleaning and cooking
Make a list!
My best advise, realize that you cannot do it all. Make goals and lists in small tasks, do not take on too much and always delegate tasks among those participating.
Set a plan and work it. Give yourself a break and don’t forget to enjoy the moments. The happy memories will far outweigh any mistakes you make or food you forget.
Divide and delegate chores to other family members to help!!!
Just relax and have fun with friends and family. Don’t stress out over little stuff.
Make a shopping list and keep eyes on the old.iheartpublix.com
We just had a new baby so I’m planning on making things ahead of time and storing in the fridge. This should help with cooking but also with cleanup so I don’t have a big pile of dishes on a holiday.
I am big on planning ahead and making lists. Everything runs smoothly that way!
I just make an effort to enjoy it myself not just stressing if everything will be right
Take it easy!! Try not to stress. Do things like normal but plan for a little more like drop-ins.
Making copious to-do lists, then ignoring half of them and just enjoy the day and family
Lists lists lists!
I’ve been stocking up weeks in advance and buying a little more than I think I’ll need just in case! Been finding lots of great deals at Publix!
Make lists, shop early and cook and freeze what you can.
don’t worry about perfection! No one will notice a little dust in an extra room – and if they do, they shouldn’t be checking!!
I try to keep things picked up daily as I go.
Let other people do the cooking. Publix has delicious sides, that all you have to do is heat and eat. Pop in a turkey, or a ham. and done!
For me, the best tip is make a list, stock up on groceries that I need the most during the Holidays, and try not to stress too much!!
Shop early, try not to stress, and keep lots of wine on hand!
Anytime we have friends over-I make lists of “to do”. I find I don’t forget anything if I do.
Make lots of lists for everything and then delegate. Give everyone a task to do. If everyone works together, you can all be able to relax and have a good time.
Get as much as early as possible, & enjoy yourself.
None because we are travelling…
I like to prepare all the pies and sides the day before.
Make a shopping list and follow old.iheartpublix.com to stock up the best holiday deals
Already buying and pre-making and freezing
Make a shopping list and prep the food the day before.
I mix homemade and pre-prepared foods together. For instance, the frozen mashed potatoes added to some homemade ones – no one knows the difference and I have less prep!
Don’t wait till the last minute. Do all your grocery shopping days in advance.
Make a holiday shopping list and follow the old.iheartpublix.com to stock up the best deals
Think, list ,plan , buy, do, clean, cook ahead. Just make everything as easy for yourself as possible, so you can have a good time with family. That is the Goal isn’t it-to another beautiful, thankful Holiday !
start early
Shop, cook, bake early and ahead of time. Make lots of lists!!!
Plan menu, shop sales early, cook ahead what can be frozen, clean, relax and enjoy your loved ones!!!
We do a bit at a time, in plenty of time, so that we don’t get overwhelmed.
Have some simple to prepare items on the menu, like steamed fresh vegetables and plain baked sweet potatoes.
I plan my list weeks ahead and start buying items as they go on sale. Plus if its at my house I do one big cleaning project every few days to get a jump on prep.
We are buying some side dishes already premade along with frying a turkey because we need to have time to watch the Macys Parade because one of my sons is marching in it.
Lists of things to do and keep done, so want have to stress.
so many giveaways going on now..hope I win one..way over a year since I have! LOL.
Ive answered this before.
Most of my shopping for staples is already done..thanks to Publix and bogos..
my house is clean.
my house is decorated.
only thing to go is two days before getting fresh foods..like veggies, flowers, bake and get turkey out and start brining…refresh guest room
Making a list and getting all the prep and cleaning done in advance.
Clean and do some baking
We share the cooking. I assign duties to all the others to help with whatever… cleaning or preping.
I make a list of everything I need to do and groceries I need for the meal I’ll be making and tackle eat chore 1 at a time.
I’m a list maker so I can see what I’ve gotten done and what’s left.
I make lists of things I have to do. I do a little cleaning each day. I also prep and cook certain foods ahead of the big day and I try to get everything done early so I can enjoy the day!
I make a list and ask everyone to pitch in. I prep starting a week before (TODAY!) and hope everything goes well.
My tips for planning ahead and preparing for the big day is to make a list to get organized and make a schedule and follow it! I try to do a lot of baking and cooking ahead of time so I can relax and enjoy time with family and friends.
I plan ahead by making my list of all I will be cooking, check my cabinets for ingredients that I may need to buy. I normally buy my turkey fresh from Publix on the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving and get my last minute cleaning done on Saturday before.
Plan the menu, do the shopping as early as possible, make a list for all that needs to be done in priority order, make off as completed.
Make lists, shop and clean ahead of time at your own pace and most importantly try not to stress out!!
I like to do as much prepping the day before as I can. Pretty much everything except peeling the potatoes. Also, I buy frozen pies, then transfer them to my baking pans and add garnish. Fools everyone most of the time.
Go to someone else’s house and just make sure to bring a side!
Make a detailed list of the menu that include all of the food/drink items needed at the store!
I make to do lists for each day from the 16th until the 25th andmake things off daily!
Start cooking for the big day the day before.
I make a list of what I need or might need for Thanksgiving and the weekend at the store and if there is any prep for certain dishes that can be done the day before.
Get my list out, copy it and all ready.
I make a list and ask for help! I also start certain dishes the day before so I have more time to spend with family the day of.
I make lists and try to prepare anything that I can ahead of time as early as possible.
I preplan food portions in advance and activities too
I make lists, lots of lists!
DON’T PANIC! Everything WILL get done and it will all be wonderful! Slow down and take a breath!
Make a list.
Shop and clean early. Prepare anything that you can the day before. Relax and enjoy the holiday.
Plan ahead. Ask for help.
Get sleep the night before so you can enjoy the day.
Ask for help cooking
Separate things and make a time to do them on lists.
Get everything done early so you won’t be in such a rush.
I get my shopping done early.
Definitely keep a checklist and knockout a few items each day.
I do all the grocery shopping, and my girlfriend does all the cooking.
Shop early and get the sales on the items you want to cook for Thanksgiving.
I write “to do” lists to keep me on track and organized!
Make a menu of what we will eat and what I need to pick up from the store
I have a list for the store and to do cleaning in my home ! Its the only way I can function !!
Make a list and check it twice.
Just get as much as possible done early.
Just relax
I make lists (of course!) and have learned to not be afraid to delegate. Even the kids are very capable of helping with so many things, and they actually like to be part of the action!
Def. a list maker, it keeps me organized and on top of the everything.
Shop ahead of time.
I like to use a big calendar and write my “to-Do” tasks on each day. Keeps me on track!
Make lists. Cook anything you can ahead. And clean all of your dishes and flatware and set the table a day ahead.
I plan ahead and save time and money by using iheartpublix for deals and making a list and keeping to it.
I stick to my list no matter how hard it is to.
I just go to my mothers for dinner solved.
I get the whole family and nd give each of them a list to do.
I make a list and start early.
Set the menu and shop early.
Buy everything you need with plenty of time to spar
Make a list and stick to it. Don’t feel you need to outdo anyone else. It’s about family, friends and fun.
I make a big list and check off as I go. I get most of my shopping done on the first day of the big holiday sale. I also use my freezer to precook as much as I can. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! !!!!!
I make a list for everything: shopping, cleaning, food preparation, cooking. It keeps me on track.
Make a list so you don’t forget anything. Delegate some to others and write their name beside it on the list. Pre-Planning is essential.
Make a list of what you need to do.