The secret to easy entertaining is planning ahead. Get yourself organized and dinner planning and stylish entertaining can be easier than you imagined.

Whether you're having family and friends over for Thanksgiving or Christmas, or both, use our easy timeline to make your preparations  smoother and easier.

Here's what to do when, to help you create a delicious and memorable holiday dinner and a gathering that you will enjoy, too.

1 to 2 weeks ahead of time

  • Confirm how many guests will be coming; plan your menu
  • Buy or order the appropriate-sized turkey
  • Plan table décor, place settings, serving dishes
  • Make your party shopping list and other to-do lists
  • Shop for any decorations, serving pieces, or kitchen equipment you need
  • Begin preparing make-ahead dishes that can be frozen (See our tips on freezing party foods.) 

Several days before the holiday

  • Finalize your party shopping list
  • Shop for staples, fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Prepare foods that can be made in advance and refrigerated
  • If you bought a frozen turkey, begin thawing it out in the refrigerator
  • If you plan to brine the turkey, prepare the brine (do not add the turkey yet); cover the brine and refrigerate it.

The day before the holiday

  • If you ordered a fresh turkey, pick it up or have it delivered  If you plan to brine the turkey, place it in the brine and refrigerate
  • Complete all food shopping
  • Make or buy turkey stock for gravy and dressing
  • Chop onions, celery, and/or other ingredients for the stuffing and refrigerate in covered bowls or plastic bags
  • Chop fresh herbs that you will need; refrigerate, covered
  • Make dips and spreads; refrigerate, covered
  • Bake pies, cakes, tarts, and cookies
  • Chill wines or other beverages

The evening before the holiday

  • If you are making fresh bread cubes for the stuffing, cut bread into pieces and leave out overnight to dry
  • Set the table
  • Set up area for beverages
  • Organize the tea and coffee service.
  • Decide what time the turkey will go into the oven
  • Place serving dishes on the table, using sticky notes to indicate what each will hold.

Morning of the holiday

  • Establish when to take the turkey out of the refrigerator and when to put it in the oven
  • Peel and cut the potatoes; set them in cold, salted water
  • Prepare hors d'oeuvres

4 to 5 hours before dinner

  • Preheat the oven; prepare the turkey for roasting
  • Place the turkey in the oven at the determined time
  • Prepare the stuffing
  • Check the table setting
  • Prepare potatoes and cover tightly
  • Prepare side dishes that can be reheated later

1 to 2 hours before dinner

  • Heat hors d'oeuvres, if necessary
  • Cook the potatoes
  • Finish preparing the stuffing
  • Put the cranberry sauce on the table
  • Serve drinks and hors d'oeuvres

45 minutes to 1 hour before dinner

  • When the turkey is done, transfer it to a warmed platter and cover very loosely with aluminum foil (Note: Some experts recommend leaving the turkey uncovered, so that the skin stays crisp.)
  • Reheat potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and other side dishes
  • Make the gravy
  • Seat your guests, carve the turkey and serve dinner.

(Note: For more helpful tips on preparing and serving holiday dinners, including a wonderful video on the easiest ways to carve a turkey, click here.)