At South Mountain Creamery, the people around the farm are the same people around the dinner table. That’s how it has always worked here, and it’s why Thanksgiving feels like the heart of our year. Hosting a great Thanksgiving doesn’t take a perfectly cooked menu. All you need is a little planning and the people you love in the same room. Here’s how we do things for Thanksgiving, plus a simple guide to getting your table ready.
Our Traditions
Thanksgiving on our farm is a lot more than the farm fresh meals on the table. It’s about the little traditions that make the day feel like Thanksgiving. For us, that means starting the morning with the Thanksgiving Day Parade, spending time catching up with family, and eventually heading outside for a kickball game.
Every family has its own way of celebrating. Maybe it’s watching the parade in pajamas, playing board games, or getting everyone outside for a little friendly competition. Whatever your traditions look like, they’re what make the holiday special. That’s what Thanksgiving is all about for us: good food, time together, and making memories that keep everyone coming back year after year.
Step 1: Reserve the Big Items Early
The easiest way to lower your stress is to settle your main dishes first. Pre-orders for turkeys (10-32lbs) and hams close Monday, November 11. If you’d rather skip some of the cooking, our prepared meals include roasted garlic mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, candied yams, and cranberry chutney. We also have amazing farm fresh pies as well to order for dessert. You can pre order these premade meals and desserts by Monday, November 16.
Step 2: Plan Your Turkey
- Size: A common rule of thumb is 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per guest, so you have enough for dinner and leftovers.
- No thawing need: Our turkeys come fresh, so there’s nothing to thaw. Keep yours in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
- Cook to 165 degrees Fahrenheit: check the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing with a food thermometer.
Step 3: Stock Your Dairy Staple
Milk, half and half, and eggs show up in nearly every Thanksgiving dish, from mashed potatoes and casseroles to pies and custards. We bottle our milk in glass, and our bottles come back to us to be washed and reused, so you can set your empties by the door and know they’ll be put to good use. You can add milk, half and half, and eggs to your Home Delivery order, so they arrive without another trip to the store.
Step 4: Follow a Simple Timeline
| Date | What to do |
| Mon, Nov 11 | Last day to pre-order turkey and ham |
| Mon, Nov 16 | Last day to pre-order prepared meals and desserts |
| Mon, Nov 23 | Confirm your guests, shop for non-perishables, and check your delivery schedule |
| Tue, Nov 24 | Bake desserts, make cold sides, and set the table |
| Wed, Nov 25 | Prep vegetables, assemble casseroles, and wait for your orders |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Roast the turkey, rewarm sides, and sit down together |
Step 5: Give Everyone a Job
Hosting is easier when it isn’t all on you. Ask one guest to bring dessert, another to handle drinks, and a younger family member to set the table or fill water glasses. Set up a self-serve drink station so people can help themselves, and plan a spot for coats and a place for kids to gather. A shared table feels more like a family tradition when everyone has a hand in it.
Step 6: Serve and Store Safely
The two-hour rule is the one to remember: refrigerate perishable food within two hours of cooking, or within one hour if it’s above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Carve the turkey and store leftovers in small, shallow containers. Eat leftover turkey and dishes made with it within 3 to 4 days, and reheat leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving. For more, see the USDA’s Thanksgiving food safety guide.
Step 7: Have a Happy Thanksgiving
At the end of the day, Thanksgiving isn’t about having every dish turn out perfectly or making sure everything goes exactly according to plan. It’s about bringing people together, sharing a meal, and making time for the people who matter most.
Whether you’re hosting a full house, keeping things small, or carrying on traditions that have been in your family for years, we hope your Thanksgiving is filled with good food, plenty of laughter, and memories worth making. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at South Mountain Creamery!
