[Jessica121706]

Since I am due on Thanksgiving we are keeping the meal simple. Not to mention our kitchen is the size of a hallway (no joke). What are your best tips for keeping the kitchen clean while making such a huge meal?

[MommaOnCloud9]

Honestly, you want to make as many things as you can ahead of time. That way Turkey Day morning, you're mostly baking/warming versus preparing.....other than for the turkey.

You can leave the pies to be baked/warmed while serving the dinner.

We prefer homemade desserts for holidays; but they alone can take hours to make. So, two years ago, I started having my co-worker/friend who has a business on the side make our desserts. It's a little more expensive than making it ourselves, but it saves on time (baking and cleaning). So, you could look into that being an option if you prefer homemade desserts as well.

[Hippy Witchy Chicky]

I agree, make everything in advance and heat it up on Thanksgiving.

[Mod-Lady Valkyrie]

We do that on Christmas, we do all the cooking apart from the turkey (DP and I are veggie but mum, Daniel and any guests still eat turkey) on Christmas Eve, and have the turkey defrosted basted and prepared so it's the only thing left to cook on the morning. Definitely takes the stress out of the day.

[Mod-Lady Valkyrie]

It also occurred to me that you need helpers, lots of helpers! Someone to clear up everything after you bit by little bit. You shouldn't be doing too much in your condition!