Thanksgiving to New Year, week by week
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26. Tick each line as it is done.
| When | What to do | |
|---|---|---|
| Sat–Sun, Nov 14–15 | Buy squash, pie pumpkins and pomegranates for the Thanksgiving table. Pomegranates keep 1–2 weeks on a counter out of the sun. (UC Master Food Preservers) | |
| Fri, Nov 20 | Turkey of 20–24 lb into the fridge (thawing takes 24 hours per 4–5 lb). (Minnesota Dept. of Health) | |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Turkey of 16–20 lb into the fridge. (Minnesota Dept. of Health) | |
| Sun, Nov 22 | Turkey of 12–16 lb into the fridge. (Minnesota Dept. of Health) | |
| Wed, Nov 25 | Set the table. Lay a paper cut-out of every serving dish where it will go; mark each spot with a sticky note. | |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Thanksgiving. Perishable food off the table within 2 hours; leftovers eaten within 3–4 days. (Minnesota Dept. of Health) | |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Squash to the porch. Measure the ceiling for the tree and the mantel for the garland (sheet 3). | |
| Sat–Sun, Nov 28–29 | Buy the tree. Stand holds 1 quart of water per inch of trunk; water it every day. Throw out light strings with frayed wires. (National Christmas Tree Association; U.S. Fire Administration) | |
| Week of Nov 30 | Tree: lights on first, then ornaments. Keep it 3 feet from fireplaces, heaters and vents. (U.S. Fire Administration) | |
| Sat–Sun, Dec 5–6 | Mantel and garland. Candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn. (U.S. Fire Administration) | |
| Sat–Sun, Dec 12–13 | Front door: wreath = door width minus 12 inches. (The Painted Hinge) | |
| Thu–Fri, Dec 24–25 | Christmas table. Same 2-hour rule for the food. (Minnesota Dept. of Health) | |
| Early January | Take the tree down once it dries out — a dry tree burns hot and fast. (U.S. Fire Administration) |
My own dates
The table plan
Count guests first, then dishes. Hosts expect nine guests on average (Butterball, 2025).
How many fit, at 24 in per guest
| Table | Sides | With ends |
|---|---|---|
| 60 in rectangle (5 ft) | 4 | 6 |
| 72 in rectangle (6 ft) | 6 | 8 |
| 84 in rectangle (7 ft) | 6 | 8 |
| 96 in rectangle (8 ft) | 8 | 10 |
| 120 in rectangle (10 ft) | 10 | 12 |
End seats only on tables at least 36 in wide. Two tables of the same height under one cloth make one long table.
Sketch the seating
The dishes, and where each one lands
| Dish | Served in | Brought by | Table or buffet? |
|---|---|---|---|
Test it the night before: cut paper to the size of each dish (a 9 × 13 in baking dish covers 117 sq in) and lay it on the set table. If it doesn't fit, serve from a buffet.
The numbers to decorate by
Pin it inside a cupboard door. Sourced figures name their source; the others are trade rules of thumb.
| What | The number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas tree height | Ceiling height minus about 1 ft | rule of thumb |
| Mini lights on the tree | About 100 per foot of tree height | rule of thumb |
| Ornaments | 10–20 per foot of tree height | rule of thumb |
| Tree stand water | 1 quart per inch of trunk diameter | National Christmas Tree Association |
| Tree and heat | At least 3 ft from fireplaces, radiators, heaters, vents; water daily | U.S. Fire Administration |
| Candles | At least 12 in from anything that burns | U.S. Fire Administration |
| Mantel garland | 1.5–2 × the mantel length | rule of thumb |
| Front door wreath | Door width minus 12 in (24 in on a 36 in door) | The Painted Hinge |
| Place at the table | At least 24 in of table edge per guest | Dimensions.com |
| Centerpiece height | Below a raised fist (about 12–14 in), or thin and above eye level | rule of thumb |
| Turkey thawing (fridge) | 24 hours per 4–5 lb | Minnesota Dept. of Health |
| Food on the table | Back in the fridge within 2 hours | Minnesota Dept. of Health |
| Pomegranates as decor | 1–2 weeks at room temperature | UC Master Food Preservers |
My measurements
Ceiling height
Mantel length
Front door width
Table length × width
Number of guests