Thanksgiving Countdown: A Day-by-Day Guide to Getting it DONE

<img alt="" src="http://a323.yahoofs.com/phugc/31fGNPQ7HACe/photos/2f6cfd0392322587bb76bb46ee5f1212/ori_d771b343889658.jpg?ug_____DPGCDihRr" width="300" align="left" height="300">Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays to host guests, but there is no denying it requires tons of preparation -- and it&#39;s almost time to start. Thankfully (pun, pun), Susan Westmoreland of Good Housekeeping&#39;s test kitchens has put together a <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/holidays/thanksgiving/">16-day guide to getting it all done</a> (stress free... allegedly), complete with checklists and videos. You even get the weekends off. <br><br>The basic timeline: <br><br>Nov. 13: Create the guest list<br>Nov. 14: Develop the menu<br>Nov. 17: Turkey!<br>Nov. 18: Make shopping lists<br>Nov. 19: First day of shopping<br>Nov. 20: Wines &amp; beverages<br>Nov. 21: Prepare make-ahead dishes<br>Nov. 24: Plan the table setting<br>Nov. 25: Shop for perishables<br>Nov. 26: Cooking and setting the table<br>Nov. 27: Cook -- but in the morning only<br><br>The <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/holidays/thanksgiving/?link=emb&amp;dom=yah_life&amp;src=syn&amp;con=blog_holidayguru&amp;mag=holidayguru">videos on preparing Thanksgiving dinner</a> are worth a watch, especially if this is going to be your first year in charge of the turkey. <br><br>Related Links: <br><ul> <li style="font-family:inherit;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/holidays/thanksgiving/?link=rel&amp;dom=yah_life&amp;src=syn&amp;con=blog_holidayguru&amp;mag=holidayguru">16-Day Countdown to Thanksgiving</a></li> <li style="font-family:inherit;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/cooking/thanksgiving-turkey-faqs?link=rel&amp;dom=yah_life&amp;src=syn&amp;con=blog_holidayguru&amp;mag=holidayguru">GH&#39;s Guide to Buying a Turkey</a></li> <li style="font-family:inherit;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.redbookmag.com/recipes-home/tips-advice/new-orleans-thanksgiving-recipes?link=rel&amp;dom=yah_life&amp;src=syn&amp;con=blog_holidayguru&amp;mag=holidayguru">Thanksgiving, Southern Style</a></li> <li style="font-family:inherit;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.redbookmag.com/recipes-home/tips-advice/comfortable-home-ideas?link=rel&amp;dom=yah_life&amp;src=syn&amp;con=blog_holidayguru&amp;mag=holidayguru">Six Simple Ideas for Cozying Up Your Home for the Holidays</a></li> <li style="font-family:inherit;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.redbookmag.com/kids-family/advice/hostess-gift-ideas?link=rel&amp;dom=yah_life&amp;src=syn&amp;con=blog_holidayguru&amp;mag=holidayguru">Hostess Gift Ideas</a></li> </ul>