Thanksgiving is fast approaching with just two weeks left until the big day! While I made a case for starting your preparations early this year, I realize that not everyone is thinking about stuffing, mashed potatoes, and turkey in October! Now, I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year, and there’s a lot to consider when hosting and preparing such a big meal — so, I thought that I’d share some of my tips and tricks to ease Thanksgiving Day stress if you’re also hosting this year!

1. Create a Thanksgiving Timeline: One of the most crucial aspects of hosting a successful Thanksgiving gathering is planning. A Thanksgiving timeline is your best friend in this regard. Start by working backward from your mealtime and create a schedule for everything that needs to be done. From shopping and cleaning to cooking and setting the table, having a timeline will keep you organized and ensure everything runs smoothly.
   
   Bonus Points: Keep notes on Thanksgiving Day, too, to remind yourself of what time the pie went in, how long it actually took to prep potatoes, how many leftovers there were, etc. It’ll make future planning much easier.
   
   
2. Plan Your Menu Wisely: Selecting the right Thanksgiving menu is key. You don’t want to be overwhelmed with too many dishes. Choose a mix of traditional favorites and a couple of unique recipes to keep things interesting. Don’t forget to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences for your guests. And if you’re not a fan of the kitchen, consider asking your guests to bring a dish, potluck-style. It lightens your cooking load and adds variety to the feast. You could also skip the main dish completely! For our Friendsgiving celebration the weekend before Thanksgiving, we’re just doing side dishes — it’s the best part of the meal anyway!
   
   
3. Stock Up on Thanksgiving Essentials: Before the Thanksgiving rush hits, make sure your kitchen is well-stocked with all the essentials. Check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer for items like spices, flour, and butter. Make a list of what you need and do your grocery shopping well in advance to avoid last-minute chaos.
   
   
4. Delegate and Collaborate: You don’t have to do it all alone! Most people are happy to bring along a dish to share. Send out your menu in advance and don’t feel shy about asking your guests to contribute. I like to ask for things that don’t require oven space, like salads, cheese plates, or a pie.
   
   
5. Set the Stage: Setting the stage for a successful Thanksgiving dinner goes beyond setting the table. Unearth the serving pieces and cookware you only use once a year, so you’re note digging around for them on Thanksgiving itself. Set up folding tables in your kitchen if you need more space for side dishes. Are guests bringing Crockpots? Set out a few power strips so they can plug in. Put out extra bathroom necessities in pretty baskets, so no one needs to feel too embarrassed to ask for more toilet paper! Much of this prep work can be done the day before Thanksgiving, so you don’t need to scramble when your guests start to arrive.
   
   Top Tip: Run and empty your dishwasher before guests arrive to give yourself plenty of room for post-dinner dishes!
   
   
6. Relax and Enjoy the Day: Don’t forget the most important tip – remember to relax and enjoy the day! It’s easy to get caught up in the details, but Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and to enjoy spending time with loved ones. And while it’d be nice to do all of the dishes before you head to bed, don’t stress about it. Instead, grab another glass of wine, a slice of pie, and enjoy your holiday!
   
   

Happy hosting, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! And as always, be sure to share your own Thanksgiving hosting tips and experiences with me in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Once autumn color begins to dot the landscape and the air holds a chill, it’s a sign that holiday season is fast approaching — and that includes every host and hostess’ version of “the big game:” Thanksgiving.

While it may seem early to start planning for the holiday, I firmly believe that October is the perfect time to kick off your Thanksgiving preparations. In this guide, I’ll delve into why early October planning is the key to a stress-free and memorable Thanksgiving celebration.

1. Beat the Holiday Rush

One of the most compelling reasons to start Thanksgiving planning in October is to get a jump on the holiday rush. As November approaches, stores become crowded and ingredients and decorations limited. (There’s a reason we’re all buying the best decorative gourds in the summer!) By starting early, you can avoid the eleventh-hour chaos and procure many of the items you’ll want for your Thanksgiving experience. This obviously includes decorations, a good roasting pan, and tableware (this modern gravy boat is fantastic), but it also encompasses shelf-stable or freezable groceries. It’s the perfect time to get your dried spices, nonperishables like that can of cranberries that everyone seems to like, wine, and — yes — even the turkey. You can either pre-order a turkey from a local butcher, or buy a frozen bird to tuck away in your own freezer.

2. Secure Your Guest List

Send out those invitations! Early planning allows you to finalize your guest list well in advance — and make sure someone else doesn’t make plans to compete with your own carefully planned celebration! Plus, if you have any out-of-towners, they can make travel arrangements early.

3. Menu Perfection

Crafting a Thanksgiving menu that caters to diverse tastes and dietary preferences can be time-intensive. By starting to prep in October, you have the luxury of time to plan meticulously, experiment with new recipes, refine your menu, and nail down timing. If you’re going to do a potluck, early planning allows your guests share what they’re bringing well in advance, giving you time to fill in the gaps.

4. Decorate with Care

It feels like the best seasonal decor is sold out well before the holiday rolls around. While I know that retailers don’t want that stock to sit around for post-event sales, it’s discouraging to simply wait until the month of a holiday to already find shelves bare. Personally, I don’t think you need a lot in terms of Thanksgiving decorations. It’s really just time to let the most beloved pieces of your collection take center stage. Think taper candles set in beautiful holders, a simple tablecloth (love this affordable linen-blend option), refined glassware, and your favorite serving pieces — bonus points if you have any heirloom pieces to use.

Find some of my favorite pieces for your table setting here.

5. Manage Your Budget

Let’s face it, Thanksgiving celebrations are expensive! Spreading your budget out across several weeks will feel a lot more manageable instead of having one sky-high grocery bill the week before the holiday. And, you have time to look for any early sales on food or wine you can store in you pantry until Thanksgiving.

6. Reduce Stress and Savor the Season

Arguably, the most substantial benefit of early Thanksgiving planning is stress reduction. Nothing kills that holiday mood quicker than standing in long grocery store lines. By tending to preparations well in advance, you can actually enjoy the holiday season without the burden of last-minute tasks and errands.

So, there you have it. My plea to begin your prep early and make this Thanksgiving your most memorable — and stress-free — one yet!

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Thanks for visiting! As a reminder, I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy an item through my links. This is at no cost to you. I appreciate your continued support!