We are beginning the holiday season and all the preparations will be in order for those great family meals with everyone sitting around the table enjoying each other and the food. And along with that comes the hard work. In this post, I will share how to meal plan for the holidays.
In a previous post, Thanksgiving Prep – Planning Ahead, I shared some of things I do to get ready for guests and then the big meal. This year, I am revisiting some of those same helpful hints and expanding on them with the actual tool I use. And though this year may need some adjusting, planning is always a good thing.
The holidays and especially the meals can evoke some strong memories. The smells and the sounds bring us back to some delicious times. And if you are the preparer of those delightful meals, if can also mean some stressful times when you are trying to get everything done. You just sit down and its time for dessert. The dishes are barely finished and your guests are sneaking around the kitchen for something to eat! Well my secret is to plan ahead, prep ahead and then sit down to a completely prepared meal.
I am a planner. I love planning and preparing ahead of a function. I do this for any tea I give, enjoying the menu development, and preparation or when I have guests come to stay at my house. The holidays provide a perfect time to use these skills and techniques. Let’s go through some tools and steps.
IDENTIFY YOUR GUESTS
I start the planning by identifying who will be coming to dinner. The number is important….so if Great Aunt Lolo and Aunt Barb are coming, then we need to set a couple more places. If they are bringing the gang, I will have to think on a larger scale.
The next step is identify if they are coming for a few days or just for the main meal. You will use the same approach but just expand on the planning.
This same approach is great not just for meal planning but also for things that you might need to do prior to your guests arriving – cleaning, making up rooms, shopping, etc. And the whole concept of this tool is just good planning and can be used for many things.
PLAN THE MENU
The first page of the planning tool is the menu. I will sit down and map out a menu, thinking of those favorite items that are traditional for the meal. If I am having guests, then I will map out each meal that they will be staying for. These can always change, but without a plan, it can become chaos.
Once the menu is mapped out, I identify anything that my guests might want to contribute. Depending on the holiday and who is coming, I might reach out to my guests and see if they have a special dish they would like to bring. I won’t want duplicates but also want to include those special family dishes.
THE TOOL
- MENU – The first in the packet, it becomes the platform for your planning.
- Identify items for your menu.
- PULL YOUR RECIPES….this is a crucial step for planning, shopping list needs, and prepping
- Look at each item and determine if it can be made ahead. This is a great time to think outside the box (I will give you examples here in a minute).
- Identify who is going to be making the dish. Might be all you or your Great Aunt Lolo.
- SHOPPING LIST
- Once you have your menu outlined and have reviewed your recipes, you can put your shopping list together.
- Your list may include several stores, different times, etc. Note this on your list.
- TASK / CHECK LIST
- List out those things that you need to get done. This is my thinking list – what is it that I need to get done before the day? Brainstorm all the things that keep you awake at night.
- SCHEDULE – CRITICAL STEP
- Taking your menu and your task / checklist, schedule out these items. From making your pies to setting the table. On some occasions, you need to start early. And you will want to start early to keep ahead of things.
Pre-Holiday Planning Tool 
Day Before and Holiday!
- CALENDAR
- I include a calendar. This is all about pacing, so using a calendar is helpful.
- On the actual day, I will put times in for when I need to do critical things (put the turkey in the oven, etc). When I give an afternoon tea, the schedule for the day is posted in my kitchen so I am sure to stay on task.
PREP AHEAD HOW-TO’S
So what can be prepared ahead. Well here are some suggestions.
- If having guests, breakfast meals, casseroles, or items like coffee cakes or sweet breads. And of course scones!
- Pies or their pie fillings can be made ahead of time. And even your dough can be made ahead and frozen for up to 6 months in the freezer. Or if you buy your pie dough, that can also be frozen before using. But even the pie fillings can be made ahead of time. I will make my mincemeat ahead of time and freeze it.
Pie Fillings in the Freezer 
Pre-baked Scones in the Freezer
- Stuffings / Bread – I generally make a sausage stuffing. The mixture of sausage and onion I can make ahead and freeze. I will also tear up the bread, let it dry and then bag it up.
- Sauces like your cranberry sauce can be made ahead and easily frozen. Homemade cranberry sauce can be kept in your freezer for up to 2 months.
- Appetizers are a great thing to be made ahead and frozen. Meatballs, sausage rolls are easily frozen. I will also freeze goat cheese in logs.
- Your entree may be done early, depending on what you are doing. Like for Thanksgiving, you can roast your turkey the day before and have your gravy all ready. Just make sure to keep snacking fingers out of it until the main meal!
- Any dish I look at, I will ask myself if it can be made ahead of time. Everything labeled and dated, my freezer will be bursting by the time the holiday comes around.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Using the last page of the planner and depending on the menu and plenty of coffee, I start my day early and get to checking off those items as their time stamp comes up. I have usually set the table the evening before and even labeled what goes in each serving dish – it helps expedite plating.
When dinner comes, my guests are ready to sit and enjoy one another and so am I. This approach takes some deliberate effort but is well worth it. How to meal plan for the holidays will help you get everything done and still be able to partake in the meal and you will be able to sit and enjoy a very well deserved meal as your guests shower your with numerous compliments. And you will have the satisfaction of being able to put those feet up and be pleased with your efforts. Its all good as I like to say.
48 Comments
Laura
Wow, you are organized! Those refrigerator pictures are inspiring. I enjoy reading your mapped out plan. Being organized really does reduce stress when it meal time.
Beth
Hi Laura – thanks for your comment. Yaaaaaah I do enjoy having things in order, but hopefully not too much. For me, it relieves the stress and I don’t continue to overthink once I have documented it. Glad that you enjoyed the post and and hope you came away with some organizational nuggets!
Barbara
Love being organized on a very packed day. This also helps with the shopping list. No running back to the store for odd things.
Good to see the menu at a glance….you know what would be great for Aunt Lolo to make!
Beth
Hi Barbara – Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes, I know you like to be organized…all things put together. It just helps to relieve the stress and feels like you can hostess better. Thanks!
Kathleen
I wish I was this organized! Thank you for the great tips, I am cooking my first ever Thanksgiving dinner this year and can use all of the help I can get!
Beth
Hi Kathleen – Well I am excited for you. Cooking your first Thanksgiving dinner is like a right of passage and I am sure you will do great. Thanks for your comments. Glad you liked the post and let me know how it turns out! Good luck.
Sydney Delong-Eat Simply Sweet
I love the organization! My mom is the host for Christmas, and she has a similar way of planning what needs to be done and when.
Beth
Hi Sydney – Thanks for your comment. Nice to know other wise moms (ha) organize as well. Glad you enjoyed the post!
Holly B
Fantastic tips, and suggestions for helping to get through holidays by staying organized with a lot less stress!!
Beth
Hi Holly – Thanks for your comment though I suspect you are fairly organized as well. Glad you enjoyed the post!
Megan
These are such great planning tools! I hope some of your delicious scones make the menu somewhere! 😉
Beth
Hi Megan – Oh they will for sure! They’re in the freezer now. Thanks for your comment and glad that you liked the post.
Debbie
Very organized and thorough guide. I need to get to planning.
Beth
Hi Debbie – Well I am a “check it off” kind of gal. So this is helpful. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Sabrina
I have done some of these tips when planning my holiday meals but you have taken it to a whole new level. I will be adding some of these tips to my Thanksgiving plans. Thanks for sharing.
Beth
Hi Sabrina – I know, that old project manager comes out in me. So glad that you found this helpful. Thanks for your comment and delighted you enjoyed the post!
Elaina
Great tools! We are finalizing our food this week so this was great timing.
Beth
Hi Elaina – So glad to hear that it was helpful and that you enjoyed the post. Have fun! And thanks for your comment.
Keirsten
Way to alleviate all of that stress! Planning & organizing is so smart.
Beth
Hi Keirsten – Thank you so much for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes, I think that planning helps that tremendously and then you get to enjoy!
Tiffany
This was inspiring…by the time the holiday comes I basically just give in and whatever gets cooked gets cooked 😉
Beth
Hi Tiffany – Well glad that you found the post inspiring. I think you are the first to tell me that planning was inspiring but absolutely. Well don’t give in….completely. But most important is that you enjoy the holiday. Thanks for your comment – it made me smile. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Barbara
It is so great to see your organizational techniques. I am a list maker too!
Beth
Hi Barbara – Thanks so much for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the organizational post! Check off that list!
Tricia Snow
What great organizational skills! I really need this in my life. You have given me some great ideas to add to my process. Thanks!
Beth
Hi Tricia – Thanks so much for your comments. And delighted if you were able to take away some ideas. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Lisa Manderino
I love how organized this is. This is the perfect way to plan a great meal.
Beth
Hi Lisa – Thanks for your comment. Well I love to plan and it just relieves me of the pressure. I use the same process for planning large afternoon teas. Glad that enjoyed the post.
Chelsea
Wow! Pie fillings in the freezer?! I’d never thought to do that! I love it! You are so organized. I plan my meals and groceries 2 weeks at time now with the pandemic as I’m trying to limit how much I go out. And I love the idea of making all this stuff and freezing it for later so it stays fresh longer!
Beth
Hi Chelsea – Well I was surprised at what you can freeze. I freeze herbs, buttermilk, pie fillings….I will give about anything a try. And it generally works. Yes, we have had to plan differently to get things and its not a bad skill to have at all. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Alyssa
I love this! I am organized but since I live in a small townhouse there isn’t space to entertain. We either go to my moms or my sisters and bring baked goods and a side dish. I have to agree planning is important. I may not do the entertaining but I make about a thousand cookies for Christmas and in order to do this I start preparing right after thanksgiving! Can never be too prepared, I’ll definitely be visiting this in the future as we will be moving into a larger townhome next year!
Beth
Hi Alyssa – So glad that you enjoyed the post. And yes, I can see with your cookies you would need to be organized and creative in a small space. Excited for your new place and how you can “organize”. Thank you for your comment. Meant a lot to see how you might use some of this information. Happy baking!
Suzan | It’s My Sustainable Life
An organizer after my own heart! Definitely makes entertaining & meal planning easier when all is in order. Thank you for sharing your tools to do so!
Beth
Hi Suzan – I think there are many of us out there…..organizing our worlds. Its a good thing. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks so much for your comment.
Sandi Barrett
I love that you are so organized and in control. I love a good list, it gives me inner peace!
Beth
Hi Sandi – Well not sure I am in control…haha. That made me smile. I am learning that there are a bunch of us who are in love with organizing. Thank you so much for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Marianne
LOVE how organized you are! We used to host Thanksgiving Dinner for 24 people… so I get needing to work out the logistics. I never went as far as writing things out… maybe because we have been doing this for a few years, but I definitely need to pace myself and stay organized! Besides… the more organized you are, the less chaos and grumpiness there will be! LOL
Beth
Hi Marianne – That is amazing! I have had afternoon teas that large but not a dinner. That would be fun and I must admit, my love of organizing would be in heaven! Congratulations to you for sure. Yup – less chaos and grumpiness. Thanks for your comment and sharing your story. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Lisa S
Planning and organization is key!
Beth
Hi Lisa – Thanks so much for your comment. Yes, I think it is. I just reorganized my office because it was chaos, but even stripping it down I tried to be organized in my approach. And I think it worked! Glad that you enjoyed the post.
KENDRA
This is awesome! Meal planning for holidays is one of my favorite things to do!
Beth
Hi Kendra – Obviously mine too! haha. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment. Have a great holiday!
Danielle Ardizzone
These are great, useful tips! I always forget who said they were making what dish – I need to learn to plan better. Thanks!
Beth
Hi Danielle – Thanks for your comment. But I am pretty sure you are a great planner with all the dance activity. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Melissa Jones
Great tips!
Beth
Hi Melissa – Thanks for the comment and glad that you enjoyed the post!
Cindy Moore
What great resources to help with this time of year! I think meal planning makes everything easier and I don’t forget anything.
Beth
Hi Cindy – I agree. I use this kind of approach not only for meal planning but other functions. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.