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[quote=Anonymous]OP, I do almost exactly the same thing, every other year for Thanksgiving, for about 20 guests. My guests don't generally arrive on Wednesday, but by lunch on Thursday (ALWAYS soup and home made bread; I love to bake).

Here is what I do. I collect recipes (I don't always make a traditional Thanksgiving meal, and I try out new stuff when there are enough hungry people they'll finish the dish even when it isn't the greatest) between now and November. By early November, I whittle them down to what I hope to accomplish. Then I make my spreadsheets.

Spreadsheet 1 - What's for breakfast/lunch/dinner from Thursday - Monday (or Sunday; depends on when people leave)

Spreadsheet 2 - What to buy, and when to buy them.

Spreadsheet 3 - What to prep and when to prep them

For me, it's easiest if I do one type of cuisine per day. For instance, Friday is Italian, Saturday is Asian, Sunday is Mexican/South and Central American, Monday is Indian, etc.

Assemble it yourself meals make life easier. For instance, I will ask people to make their own summer rolls and Vietnamese noodle bowls. This year, I'm adding a Chipotle style bowl (having done that for DD's birthday, and having the kids absolutely demolish it). For breakfast, we usually get a bunch of bagels/croissants/pastries. One of the days, I'll make a couple of big 9x13 trays of overnight baked French toast.

If I need help, I ask for it. People will be designated my sous chef, someone or the other is always washing dishes and keeping the kitchen clean, someone will take care of the entertainment, bringing card/board games, that sort of thing.

By the time everyone leaves, I'm tired, but it's all in good fun, and I know that my family loves it too.
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