Ultimate Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Guide: Friday

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Happy Thursday...T-Minus one week until turkey day touches down! Are you ready? Fear not, I have the ultimate Thanksgiving guide. Watch for daily guides and to-do lists for the perfect turkey day, starting with tomorrow (Friday).

The week leading up to Thanksgiving can be plagued with deadlines at work, half-days at school for the tiny humans, and reunions with friends and family, home from afar. Follow my Ultimate Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Guide for a smooth holiday spent outside the kitchen and with your guests.

Friday

Friday's to-do list is simple but crucial

• Confirm your Thanksgiving headcount and dietary restrictions
  No one wants to be the host caught with their cheeks place card bare. Make sure all of your guests are accounted for and plan for an extra 1 or 2 depending on party size. Be sure to note if any of your guests are vegetarian, gluten free, lactose intolerant, etc.
• Finalize your menu
  Pick your menu and stick to it. This is the best way to avoid last minute grocery store runs.
• Appetizers
• Dinner & Sides
• Dessert
• Beverages
• Make your shopping list
  So many ways to plan - by department, by recipe. Do what works for you and stick to it. I love to write down ingredients by menu item, crossing out what I already have. Items get highlighted in different colors if I am shopping at different stores. For my exclusive All About the Benjamins Ultimate Thanksgiving Shopping List, subscribe to my email list!
• Clip coupons
• Load cashback offers from Ibotta (I've earned $76 since joining in April!)
  Check Ibotta for bonus offers and rebates on items that you need for Thanksgiving. Consider different brands if cash back is offered on a competitor item!
  Are you new to Ibotta? Confirm your first rebate and receive an $10 bonus for you and $5 for me! Use my referral code: vlwmugk
• Grocery shop
  Head to the store at an off hour (Friday night!) to avoid the weekend rush!

Ultimate Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Menu

Menu planning can be the most stressful part of a large gathering or holiday. With added stresses of including gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options, the job can seem impossible. Stop, breathe. I've got your back! Consider making the most of your ingredients to cut your grocery list in half and up the festivity factor. Use my list below to compile your ultimate menu. Follow the hand DF (Dairy Free), GF (Gluten Free) and V (Vegetarian), DDI (Double Duty Ingredient), MA(Make-Ahead) tags for help.

• Appetizers
• Freezer Friendly Pigs in a Blanket (DF, MA)
• White Cheddar Cranberry Dip (V, DDI)
• Cheese & Fruit Platter (GF, DDI)
• Dinner & Sides
• Turkey (GF, DF)
• Gravy (DF)
• Tofurkey (V, GF, DF)
• Kale Mashed Potatoes (GF, DF, V, MA) / Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes (GF, DF, V, MA)
• Roasted Vegetables (V, DDI)
• Slow Cooker Stuffing (V, DF, MA)
• Homemade Pressure Cooker Cranberry Sauce (GF, DF, V, DDI, MA)
• Butternut Squash Soup (GF, V, MA)
• Dessert
• Dairy Free Apple Pie (DF, V, MA, DDI)
• Beverages
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Noir
• Amber Ale
• Cranberry Mocktails for under 21

For more inspiration and recipes for a flawless feast, check out my Thanksgiving Pinterest board.
Check out the Ultimate Make-Ahead Guide: Weekend for Saturday and Sunday's to-do lists here.

Get your grocery list!

Check out the rest of the Ultimate Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Guide:

Weekend

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thanksgiving Day