Thanksgiving Countdown: What To Do Each Week

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By J.Blackstone · Updated October 16, 2026

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Quick AnswerA Thanksgiving countdown: one month before, set the guest list, plan the menu and gather recipes; two weeks before, shop for non-perishables and plan the table; the week of, thaw the turkey, shop for fresh food and prep ahead; on the day, enjoy it.

Busy families looking to make Thanksgiving smooth and memorable, here’s your easy-to-follow countdown. Start now and enjoy the day!

A Short Description Of A Cozy Illustration Of A Family Gathered Around A Thanksgiving Table, No People

📅 One Month Before

Get organized early.

✅ Guest List: send invites via Facebook events to track responses and contributions
✅ Plan menu
✅ Organize recipes in one spot

🧮 Try The Free Turkey Size Calculator

Size, thaw days and roast time

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🍂 Two Weeks Before

Begin freezing and cleaning.

✅ Clean and press Thanksgiving clothes
✅ Clean freezer
✅ Make and freeze pie shells. Or make the pie and freeze it.
✅ Make and freeze roll dough
✅ Freeze homemade stock
✅ Plan serving bowls for each dish–label bowls
✅ Check your pots and pans. Do you have enough?
✅ Wash and press table linen
✅ Plan decorations

🛒 One Week Before

Finish your shopping and start cooking.

✅ List your menu items, making a note of how long it takes to cook each dish. Make up a cooking schedule.
✅ Shop for non-perishables
✅ Make and freeze soup
✅ Pick up turkey
✅ Clean out refrigerator

🌽 Sunday

✅ Make ice. Save money by making ice and storing it in a food-safe bag.
✅ Bake cornbread for stuffing. Not everyone uses cornbread for stuffing. Check your stuffing recipe for directions.

🦃 Monday

✅ Defrost turkey. Allow one day for each 4 to 5 pounds
✅ Buy perishables

🍽️ Tuesday

✅ Make cranberry sauce, Jell-O, and other cold dishes.
✅ Pies: make or defrost. Don’t bake
✅ Defrost stock
✅ Set out bread for stuffing to dry
✅ Fill salt and pepper shakers
✅ Assemble reheatable side dishes such as sweet potato casserole, scallop corn, green bean casserole, stuffed squash, etc.

🥧 Wednesday

✅ Bake pies late in the day
✅ Chop nuts, vegetables, and cheese that you will be using for your dishes
✅ Bake reheatable dishes
✅ Make appetizers
✅ Wash and dry salad greens. Store in a plastic bag in the crisper
✅ Set the table. Place salt and pepper shakers on the table.
✅ Set up dessert and/or appetizer sidebars: plates, forks, spoons, pie servers, napkins, and other non-food items.
✅ Chill beverages
✅ Place dry ingredients for your dishes in a plastic bag and tape the recipe to the bag. Place in serving bowl with serving spoon. Note: Stuffing–for safety reasons–should not have wet ingredients mixed with the dry until right before cooking.
✅ Thaw rolls/scones. Bake if not already made.

💡 Quick Tip: If you’re looking for more holiday planning ideas, check out our January Holiday Planner and Christmas Traditions: Advent articles.

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🍗 Thanksgiving

The schedule for Thanksgiving day will vary depending on the time of the meal, the size of your turkey, if you are stuffing it, and what side dishes you are serving.

🕒 4 To 7 Hours Before

✅ Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and let it warm to room temperature for one hour (see All Recipes for cooking times).
✅ Preheat oven
✅ Bake side dishes and/or rolls

🕒 3 To 6 Hours Before

✅ Place turkey in the oven

🕒 3 Hours Before

✅ Finish table centerpieces
✅ Prep baskets for bread
✅ Prep appetizers and/or relish trays
✅ Put milk and sugar in their serving containers. Keep milk chilled

🕒 1 Hour Before

✅ Remove mashed potatoes and side dishes from the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature.
✅ Place cranberry sauce and butter on the table

🕒 30 Minutes Before

✅ Check the turkey’s temperature and remove it from the oven when the thigh temperature reaches 165 degrees. Tent the turkey and let it rest for half an hour.
✅ If you stuff your turkey, remove the stuffing and place it in a baking dish. Heat until temp reaches 165 degrees.
✅ Reheat side dishes
✅ Warm rolls
✅ Place salad in a serving bowl with tongs. Set it and salad dressing on the table.
✅ Fill water and wine glasses
✅ Start coffee
✅ Make gravy
✅ Place appetizers on the table or sidebar.

🕒 Just Before…

✅ Carve turkey
✅ Place side dishes and gravy on the table.
✅ Place rolls in bread basket and place on the table
✅ Place sugar bowl and milk on the table or dessert sidebar

A Short Description Of A Cozy Illustration Of A Thanksgiving Table Set, No People

🛍️ Shopping Guide

Thanksgiving serving bowls: Amazon ebay

Thanksgiving tablecloths: Amazon

Thanksgiving napkins: Amazon

Thanksgiving platters and trays: Amazon

Thanksgiving salt and pepper shakers: Amazon

Casserole dishes: Amazon

💡 Quick Tip: Consider buying these handy casserole dishes to make your Thanksgiving prep even easier.

More information:

Thanksgiving Gratitude: Ideas and Activities

❓ Questions People Ask

How Early Should I Start Planning For Thanksgiving?

Ideally, start planning at least a month before to ensure you have enough time to organize, shop, and prepare.

What’s The Best Way To Keep My Turkey Moist?

Brine your turkey beforehand and consider using a meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked to perfection without overdoing it.

Can I Make Any Dishes Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely! Many side dishes and even the pie shells can be made and frozen weeks in advance.

📌 Note: Some links in this article may be affiliate links.

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About J.Blackstone

Jordan writes the gift guides, holiday checklists and home tips here at Dobibe, tests the ideas on his own busy household, and builds the tools behind FabaShelf, KeyHUD and Root And Coop. Have a question or an idea for a page? Use the message button in the corner; he answers every one.