Christmas/Thanksgiving food and baked goods prep

[CathyS]

American Thanksgiving is coming up and then there's Christmas and other holidays to prep/cook or bake for.

What's going on in your kitchen for the 2025 fall and winter holidays?

[CathyS]

Today I am clearing up my pantry shelves. Dh's cardiac doctor has told dh to try not to overdo the holiday treats this year. I agree. After all the baking I did last year, I don't want to overdo it this year.

Baking supplies are already on the shelves at grocery stores. So far I have a package of dates to make squares. Dh also wants mincemeat tarts and blackberry tarts. I have mincemeat in the fridge. I have tart shells in the freezer.

[Lady Maverick]

I don't have any firm plans yet for the holidays, with the exception of ordering the Thanksgiving turkey. We have ordered this in previous years and absolutely love it. Cajun smoked turkey stuffed with sausage, chicken and rice gumbo.

I'll add some side dishes and desserts then call it good enough. Dessert will most likely be pies from sams.
The family doesn't have any requests other than their normal favorite sides. Carbs....carbs....with another side of carbs.

Mashed potatoes with gravy, dressing, and mac and cheese are top contenders for side dishes.

[Smile*Lee]

yum... mashed potatoes are my favorite!

My Thanksgiving weekend is a bit chaotic - but in a good way.
Wednesday - We head to "east of Indianapolis" - 2 1/2 hour drive. Ds will come from Ohio and have dinner with us.
Thursday - I've been asked to bring 3 desserts Need to make it easy for traveling, so I'm thinking one will be a big variety cheesecake wheel. Pumpkin pie has been requested, so thinking how to do that - maybe just buy a frozen one. Cookies? Maybe some holiday treats. I could find some good homemade ones to make. Easy suggestions?
Friday - possibly have a meal with G's bro & wife - and then home to IL.
Saturday - ddil/R & dgd/Li'l H - will come all day for Christmas decorating. Li'l H likes to go get the Christmas tree with G aka Poobah. Need to make a menu for the day. They'll probably bring donuts from local bakery for breakfast.

Christmas is on down the road.........

[Nancy]

This week I restocked freezer and pantry so that helped.

[Kittykatt]

My Christmas meat is in the freezer, and I've ordered a veg box, to be delivered on 23/12.

My Christmas baking will be Christmas cake, mince pies and gingerbread men.

I need to check my flour, sugar etc and ensure I have enough of everything I need and order anything that's missing.

Non perishable food (chocolate biscuits, tins of shortbread, crackers for cheese) are all bought and stored.

Perishables:
Veg box
I need to check what cheeses to order - find my list from last year
Check what fruit I need - apples, melon, satsumas, cherries , grapes all for fruit salad, and ???
Christmas grocery delivery 24/12 @ 9 am (so I have plenty of time to send DH to pick up anything not available!)

[Lady Maverick]

Thinking about Thanksgiving meal a bit more....

Cajun smoked turkey stuffed with sausage, chicken and rice gumbo
Mashed potatoes & gravy
Deviled Eggs, Five Ways
Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Roasted vegetables
Hot Rolls

Honey-Roasted Nuts
Cheese Balls

Pecan Pie
Pie crust cinnamon rolls

I like how the timing of cooking the Thanksgiving meal is shown in this video

[Nancy]

I made bread one loaf.
I made rolls one pan of them.
One more to go later on this week.

Bought treats for dgd's bday this week instead of baking.
Got 2 brownie mixes these are for Dgd bc she likes to make brownies
with and for her friends.