Turkey Day time-saving tip: Only 10 days until Thanksgiving. If you are hosting, plan your menu today, know your total head count by Friday the 16th and start shopping and cooking this weekend. You can prepare many side dishes ahead (mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, stuffing, broccoli casserole, etc.) and freeze them so all you have to do is reheat on Turkey Day instead of cooking for 12 hours.