Get Ready for Thanksgiving: A Guide for a Stress-Free Holiday Dinner

It seems like it was only yesterday that we were shaking beach sand out of our shoes and grilling burgers in the backyard. Now, there’s a chill in the air and it’s almost Thanksgiving.

Things move quickly this time of year. The number of festivities in store between October 31 and January 1 somehow seems to speed up the clock, and suddenly we realize that turkey day is quickly approaching.

It can feel overwhelming to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. But don’t worry. This step-by-step guide will help you organize and prepare for your Thanksgiving feast, whether it’s your first or twenty-first.

Don’t do it alone.

If you want to host a big crowd, preparing Thanksgiving by yourself is near impossible, especially if you have never done it before. When you’re on your own, you’re responsible for every dish and that’s a lot of pressure. But when you have help, it’s more fun and less stressful because you’ll have someone to share the duties with. Even if you can’t find help, asking friends and family to pitch in a dish or two will make things a lot easier for you. 

Make a menu, grocery list and schedule.

Take out a pen and notebook or your phone and write down everything you want to make, how you’re going to make it, and when you’re going to make it. This way, you’ll know which dishes you need to prep ahead of time and what you’ll need to do the day of. 

You may need to buy new kitchen tools.

If it’s your first time hosting, you’re going to need a few pieces of equipment that you might not already have. A meat thermometer is essential. It’ll guarantee you know when your turkey is ready and safe to eat. You’ll also need a large roasting pan for your turkey, a turkey baster, and an oven bag. Be sure to double-check all your recipes before you go shopping for all the tools you might need. 

Prepare some recipes ahead of time.

Even if you have someone helping you, making everything you want the day of is not easy, and there’s probably not enough space in your oven to make it happen. Save yourself from stress and prepare some recipes ahead of time. Desserts, cranberry sauce, and casseroles just to name a few. Just double-check your recipe for any make-ahead instructions.

Also, consider making the turkey the day before (or even buy one fully cooked). Making the turkey the day before or even buying one will save you a lot of time and energy. All you’ll need to do on Thanksgiving Day is pop it in the oven to heat it up and it’s ready.

Taking shortcuts is totally fine.

Unless you’ve delegated a few things to your guests, making everything from scratch is too much work. There’s nothing wrong with buying boxed stuffing or canned pumpkin purée. If it makes for a more relaxing day, nothing beats the convenience of store-bought items.

Set the table the night before.

Take one more task off your to-do list and set the table the night before. Plan out where everyone will sit and put out your serving plates and utensils. This will give you more time to prepare for dinner and it’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about. 

Plan for leftovers.

Remember to have enough containers on hand for your own leftovers and for those who want to take some home. To be more eco-friendly, ask your guests to bring their own containers so you don’t have to worry about returns or harming the environment with disposable containers.

Relax and have fun.

The most important tip? Relax and have fun! Whether you’re spending Don’t forget that your friends and family are there to spend time with you, not to be entertained. So enjoy every moment you get and be grateful.