Things You'll Need

Instructions

1 to 3 Days Before the Meal

1

Plan your menu, map out a schedule and purchase ingredients 3 days before your scheduled holiday meal. Check to ensure you have all the necessary spices, herbs and any baking ingredients. This will save you from last-minute trips to the grocery store, thereby freeing your time to prepare the dishes.
2

Prepare any salad dressings, dips or spreads you plan to serve 2 days ahead of time. This is also a good time to make an herb butter to serve with the bread component of the meal.
3

Assemble stuffing, dressing, potato casserole or any other similar side dishes 1 day ahead. Do not bake, but store — covered — in the refrigerator.
4

Make any desserts 1 day ahead of time. Pies, tarts, cakes and cookies are good choices to bake the day before the meal.

The Day of the Meal

1

Remove ham or beef from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking. Meat cooks more evenly when it has come to room temperature than when it is well chilled.
2

Bake side dishes per your recipes. Use smaller baking pans that will fit side by side in the oven, as well as dishes that require the same baking temperature. Most side dishes require 30 minutes to 1 hour of cooking. When done, remove from the oven, cover with foil and set aside.
3

Prepare meat, ham or other entrée per your recipe. Smoked or precooked ham is an excellent choice as you need only slice and reheat for several minutes. For an impressive beef entrée, choose tenderloin or boneless rib roast as that usually requires no more than 1 to 1 ½ hours of oven time. Cook to medium-rare and allow to rest up to 30 minutes prior to slicing. While the main entrée is resting, serve those chilled appetizers to your guests and enjoy your own party knowing everything else is ready to serve.