A Traditional Thanksgiving Feast

Up to 2 Months Before

• Prepare Squash Cloverleaf Rolls; cool. Wrap in foil and freeze.
• Bake cupcakes for Turkey Cupcakes (if served).  Tightly cover unfrosted cupcakes and freeze.
• Bake cookies for Turkey Cookie Treats (if served) through step 2.  Tightly wrap unfrosted cookies and freeze.

Up to 3 Days Before

• Thaw turkey

The Day Before

• Prepare Cheese Pumpkins through step 2.
• Cut up celery and Havarti cheese for Apple-Pear Salad; refrigerate in separate containers. Mix salad dressing ingredients; refrigerate. 
• Prepare Maple Pecan Pie; cover and refrigerate.
• Prepare Tempting Pumpkin Pie; cover and refrigerate.

About 6 Hours Before

• Prepare Herb-Scented Roast Turkey with Corn Bread Stuffing.
• Peel potatoes for Velvet Mashed Potatoes. Place in Dutch oven and cover with salted water until ready to cook.
• Cut up butternut squash for Broccoli and Squash Medley; refrigerate.
• Remove rolls, cookies and/or cupcakes from freezer.

About 2 Hours Before

• Add finishing touches to Cheese Pumpkins; return to refrigerator.

About 35 Minutes Before

• Cook and mash potatoes.
• Prepare and bake Broccoli and Squash Medley.
• Brew Peachy Spiced Cider.

About 20 Minutes Before

• Heat rolls wrapped in foil in 325°F oven until hot.
• Prepare Foolproof Gravy.
• Complete preparation and toss Apple-Pear Salad.
• Carve the turkey unless carved at the table.

Festive Place Cards

• Cut a slit across the top (in front of the stems) of miniature pumpkins. Write the name of each guest on a small card, and place it in the slit of each pumpkin (the stem will help hold it up). Or instead of cutting slits in the pumpkins, secure each card to the pumpkin with a T-shaped pin. Place each place card on a pressed leaf near each place setting.

• Add a few seasonal greens and blooms to miniature vases you set at each place setting.  No centerpiece needed!

Fall Harvest Centerpiece

• Scatter colored leaves down the center of your table, and place votive candles in glass containers on leaves.

• Arrange small and miniature pumpkins and gourds (from roadside stands, garden centers or grocery stores) along with whole nuts and fruits, such as apples and kumquats, down the center of your table. Or, use the Cheese Pumpkins as part of the centerpiece.

The Children’s Table

• Use disposable dinnerware and easily cleaned placemats or linens.

• Make decorating Turkey Cupcakes or Turkey Cookie Treats part of the after dinner fun.