Thanksgiving Preparations: Week One

This is a really good time to start stocking up on items you'll need for thanksgiving dinner. No matter how large or small the gathering, people always think highly of their hosts who put some time and effort into making things run smoothly and keeping the family involved in each others lives. It a huge travel day and a chance to meet new members of the family. To welcome college roommates and far flung cousins. To see great grandma and meet the newest wee ones in the clan.

One good resource for the first time host is the November 2007 issue of Everyday Food. It's feature article is Thanksgiving 1-2-3. I also noticed some great deals in the store circulars this week. So many of the items you'll need can be frozen, such as pies, sliced bread like Armour whole grain with amber honey. Call an order you free range bird, or figure out, once you have a handle on the number of people you'll be feeding if you need a turkey or if a turkey breast might suffice along with a ham or another roast that people might like. Check out the Good Morning America website for Emeril's five stuffing choices. There a contest going on that wraps up on next Fridays show. Be creative. Combine new menu choices with tried and true traditional ones. Call your mom and ask the particulars of her best dish. You will also want to check out the Genaurdi's web site. They will deliver a variety of prepared foods and even cookware right to your door if you need it during this busy time. The Clark Park Farmer's Market on 43rd Street at Woodland, will be open on November 21st from 10-4 or sell out. This would be the perfect place to pick out last minute produce so that your guests will eat only the freshest items on this special day. Jamie Oliver is on the TODAY show this week and you can learn to cook fresh fish and pasta dishes for those in your group who do not eat meat. Buy his book while you are at it. It looks really wonderful and informative. The hosts did a real time cooking segment on Monday and I think Meredith Viera's dish was declared the winner.

You will also want to buy items that overnight guests might leave at home. Stock up on Antibacterial Kleenex, extra toothbrushes, Individual sized mouthwashes and shampoos and conditioners. Stock anything people might need or else they'll be going through th medicine cabinets and using your good stuff. I myself am totally into Phytonutrient shampoos and conditioners these days and at $25 a bottle, I'm in no mood to share. Check our the Martha Stewart Living Magazine online newsletter, dated 11/08, for "Houseguest HowTo's." Keep in mind that your privacy is somewhat compromised whenever you open your house to friends, family and co-workers. You might even consider storing valuables such a your checkbook and passports in a safe deposit box or moving precious and /or breakable items to a safe storage space in the basement or garage. Anything that might break as people brush past and children rush past should be removed from the equation. You'll be hopping mad and they'll be so embarrassed if anything breaks. You should also provide Internet access to everyone and again make sure your personal files, i.e. banking and pharmacy info are secured by a password or a flash drive. Probably nothing will happen but vigilance is my new motto. :-)

Consider sleeping arrangements. Shop at Target for extra blankets and sheets and towels if yours are looking a little worn. Outfit the bathroom with a new soap dispenser and tooth brush holder. Take advantage of this chance to preview a new fall decorating color scheme and think about how you'll be decorating for Christmas. Ask your guests to contribute a special dish of their choosing if the gathering is a large one and consider two seating's or serving all day at a buffet table if the crowd is unwieldy. If your children invite friends this can easily be the case. Best of luck with the preparations.