Countdown to Thanksgiving: Seven Days and Counting

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

15 Nov 2007 07:26 AM

One week! Yes, that is all the time we have left until Thanksgiving Day. Are you ready?

Breaking down your lists into tasks to tackle each day may make things go more smoothly. Having a plan helps, and even if you don't get everything done on the designated days, you'll still be steadily crossing items off your list.

Let's start the countdown with these suggestions (please check back daily):

Exterior

Decorate your front door with a charming wreath or find a terrific new mat to welcome guests (don't forget a mat or rug inside as well, for wet shoes). Rake leaves or bribe the kids to do it and spruce up the yard if needed. Move bicycles and other objects to present a clear path to the door.

Cleaning

Finish major cleaning chores, such as scrubbing floors, so you can just touch them up with a mop right before the big day. Polish your silverware and wash good dishes and serving pieces if stored where they could collect dust. Clean out your hall closet or prepare another area for guests' coats and jackets.

Get Ready for Guests

Make sure the guest room is in order. Add those final touches. Also, be prepared for guests who won't stay over, but will spend several hours with your family. Go through your family games or pick up some new ones.

Make Room

Start removing unneeded items from your counter tops. You don't want to be searching for a place to stash the toaster oven on Thanksgiving morning. Find convenient places to store appliances and other items that won't be necessary for the holiday. You can pull them out to use as needed, but quickly return them when finished. Not only will your kitchen look better, but you'll also enjoy having more room to work.

Ask for Help

Give everyone a job to do each day and let them know when it needs to be completed. Enlisting help, even delegating the smallest task will free up time for you to do something else, and most kids actually like to be included (even if they do grumble a little).

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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