Checketts November Traditions

Here are my activities for November. All Ideas can be found under Thanksgiving Label.

Do weekly craft or cooking activity with kids!!!!! 2nd Week of Nov. make place settings and name card with the kids for the Thanksgiving table.

1st Monday of Nov. : FHE on Thanksgiving: Thankful Train, each night read one link until Turkey Day

2nd Monday of Nov.: FHE on Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving story, write letters of thanks to friends and family.

3rd Monday of Nov.: FHE on Thanksgiving: Craft Gift on Thanksgiving and deliver to friends.

Thanksgiving Eve: Make sure to set the table and do the prep work on the food. Spend time with family!!!!!

Thanksgiving Day: Cook, Go Hiking, Do Turkey Trot, or Play a big game of Foot Ball, prepare the kids with a play or puppet show on the story of thanksgiving. The puppet show or play is something I did with my nieces and nephews when I was growing up. These were some of the best memories. We always got it on film. I made costumes with the kids and everything. I let their imaginations go crazy. This is something great for the kids to do while the adults are getting ready for the big dinner in the kitchen. Great memories!!!!! Hopefully I can find the videos at my parents home so I can post them on here for you to see what a great time we had!

Thanksgiving Planning

This is the cuttest Thanksgiving planner ever! I again found it on Tip Junkie, but all the directions for making it are on LW Designs. She also found some great planning ideas on several websites so check it out.

-start planning a month prior

-take pics of what you made so you can remember for next year

-have pic of what you are making this year

-write down # of people (kids and adults), guests names, menu (appitizers, meal, dessert), and grocery list, place settings, place cards, and center pieces.

-Save up Coupons

-Plan grocery list early so you can shop sales.

I love this schedule below that can be found on the hyper homaker. She has great planning ideas.

One Month Before:-Start gathering ideas for decor, themes, serving setup, etc-
Start shopping for table settings and decor-
Decide on time of day you will be hosting-
Send out invitations (formally or informally)-
Start thinking about what you would like to serve/formality of the meal


Two Weeks Before:-
Set guest list-
Make seating cards if using-
Set up mock-table settings and decor to make sure everything fits-
Make sure you have enough serving plates/dishes for all your menu items-
Order correct size turkey/meat from butcher or local market.



One Week Before:-
Nail down menu.-
Go through your recipes to create a detailed shopping list outlining exactly what items and how much of each you need.-
Purchase wines, sparkling waters, mixers, etc for planned drinks.-
Create a time-table spreadsheet with all you have to cook/bake/prep and when you will be doing it for the night before and the day of.-
Make sure you have all necessary cooking equipment for each dish.-
Clean out your fridge and freezer to make room for Thanksgiving items.



Four Days Before:-
Go grocery shopping for all items on your detailed list less fresh items like breads and the turkey.-
Clean the house thoroughly and prepare guest room.

Three Days Before:-
Iron table cloth-
Setup centerpiece (less fresh ingredients)-
Set out fresh candles, ready to be lit-
Set table -
Setup buffet with cards labeling what item goes in each serving plate and serving utensil for that item.-
Setup drink stations and appetizer stations.


Two Days Before:-
Prepare sauces, jellies, gelatin, etc and refrigerate.-
Pick up turkey from butcher and place into brine.-
Make cheesecakes if preparing.-
Prep all cooking items (mise en place) for each individual recipe(washing, chopping, mincing, premaking spice mixes and rubs, making herb bouquets for soups, etc).-
Make pastry dough for pies or appetizers.


The Day Before:-Make all baked goods (pies, tarts, cookies, brownies, cakes, etc) and store.-Start all fresh breads/rolls.-
Make all make-ahead items like par-baking appetizers (to be placed in the freezer and finished baking tomorrow), making dips, soups, appetizer fillings, marinating, making glazes, etc.-
Go back over the house to make sure it is spotless and set for company.


The Day Of:-All you have to do is follow your time-table spreadsheet to prepare the rest of the food and enjoy your company

Remember the etiquette: You can find good reminders on Susan Dunn's Site in case you are having Thanksgiving in someone else's home.

Thanksgiving Paper Plate Turkey Craft

This is so cute! I love how they tell the thanksgiving story! I foung them again on Tip Junkie, but the directions are on Danielle's Place. I love it!

Turkey Napkin Holders

This is a way to add something cute to the table and have the kids participate in the table decorating. I found this on Tip Junkie as well, but it is from Sweet Pea Cakes.

Crayon Place Setting

I think this idea is great for kids. I found it on nofussfabulous.com. You can also add something for the kiddies to color on by rolling up a thanksgiving themed coloring sheet next to the crayons or usee placemats they can draw on. This is a great way to keep all the family together at the table and the kids occupied.

Turkey Cupcakes

Also found on Tip Junkie. She found them on What's Cookin? I think they are adorable. I am definately going to make them with my kids!

Sugar Cookie Turkey's

I think these are adorable. I found these again on Tip Junkie. They were found on Puppy Cove, which has the complete directions. These are very fun to make with the kids around Thanksgiving.