Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time for family, food, and gratitude—so why does it often feel like you’re one burnt turkey away from a meltdown? As the host, it’s easy to get caught up in the details: Will everyone show up on time? Is there enough food? Did I remember to put the cranberry sauce in the fridge? (Please tell me I remembered the cranberry sauce).
Don’t worry—hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a stress-filled nightmare. With a little planning, a sprinkle of humor, and maybe a glass of wine, you can make the holiday smooth sailing. Here are 10 tips to help you keep your cool, but also actually have a wonderful time.
1. Plan Ahead—Like, Really Ahead
It’s no secret that planning is key to a successful Thanksgiving. But we’re talking serious, organized planning here—not just scribbling “buy turkey” on the grocery list at the last minute. Start planning two to three weeks before Turkey Day—this way you can pace yourself, avoid panicking, and not be scrambling 30 minutes before guests arrive.
- Two to three weeks before: Finalize your guest list and consider your seating chart (do you really want your kiddo’s new partner next to too-nosy Uncle Frank?).
- One week before: Shop for non-perishable items—stores do run out of things like puff pastry, canned pumpkin, and whipping cream! Pro tip: Start defrosting that turkey, because “last-minute thawing” is not a thing that works. Here’s the USDA guide on safely thawing your bird.
- Two to three days before: Prep as much food as you can. The more you do now, the more you can relax later.
- The day before: Set out your serverware and put Post-It notes on what will go on each item. Set the table.
2. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
Look, this isn’t Succession, and you’re not competing for the title of “Best Thanksgiving Host Ever.” So, take a deep breath and let others pitch in. Ask your guests to bring sides, appetizers, or desserts. Butter them up if you have to: “Oh Aunt Maggie, we just couldn’t have a Thanksgiving without your famous pecan pie!” This will lighten your load and give you more time to do what you do best: making it all look effortless and looking like you have everything under control (insert nervous laughter).
Don’t hesitate to delegate some non-cooking tasks, too. Asking family members to set the table, vacuum and dust, or clear the family room clutter can help free you up for the things that require your undivided attention—like making the gravy, chopping up a million vegetables, uncorking the wine.
If guests are bringing young kids, ask them to bring activities to keep them happy and occupied (and not underfoot in the kitchen!).
3. Prep Food in Advance (Your Future Self Will Thank You)
Thanksgiving dinner can feel like a culinary triathlon, but if you prep in advance, you’ll have more energy for the second helping of mashed potatoes or the after-dinner game of Cards Against Humanity.
- Side dishes: Make your casseroles, mashed potatoes, and stuffing a day or two ahead of time. You can even make them the night before and just heat them up on the big day.
- Desserts: Bake (or buy) your pies or cakes a day or two ahead. You’ll be thankful for the extra sleep, and your guests will be thankful for the delicious pies. Enlist a teen to whip up the heavy cream (but you be the one to add the splash of bourbon).
- Stock or gravy: If you’re making homemade gravy, prepare your stock a few days ahead—because nothing says “holiday stress” like scrambling for stock on Thanksgiving morning. I swear by Alton Brown’s Make-Ahead Gravy recipe!
4. Set Up a Drink Station
While you’re doing your best impersonation of a Thanksgiving superhero in the kitchen, your guests will inevitably be looking for something to sip on. Save yourself some headaches by setting up a self-serve drink station. It’ll keep people out of your hair and you won’t have to be the official bartender on top of everything else.
Make sure you have a mix of options: wine, soda, and water (plus maybe a signature Thanksgiving cocktail or a batch of festive punch). Just make sure you have enough—there’s nothing worse than running out of drinks halfway through dinner. And be sure to have a few non-alcohol options, too.
5. Have a Flexible Menu and Plan for the Unexpected
Let’s face it—sometimes things don’t go as planned. The turkey might be overcooked, the cranberry sauce might refuse to come out of the can (no, really, why does it always get stuck?), or a guest might show up with a mysterious new dietary restriction. So, aim for a menu that allows you to roll with the punches.
- Keep things simple with a mix of hot and cold dishes, some that can be prepped in advance and others that are super easy to throw together last minute.
- Ask guests way ahead of time if anyone has special dietary needs, so you’re not frantically Googling “ovo lacto semi vegetarian” on Thanksgiving morning.
6. Create a Comfortable Atmosphere
Thanksgiving is all about family and fun—unless you’re stressing over getting the perfect Instagram shot of your turkey. Instead of sweating the small stuff, focus on creating a cozy atmosphere.
Set a beautiful table (don’t stress over perfection) and make the space inviting. Add some candles, light a fire, or queue up some soft background music. And don’t forget to clear any “junk” off surfaces—because it’s hard to enjoy the pumpkin pie when you’re also staring at a pile of random paper clutter.
7. Make Use of Every Oven Rack (Yes, Even That Weird One at the Bottom)
Thanksgiving dinner involves juggling a lot of different dishes, and your oven should be your partner in crime. Make sure to optimize every oven rack to the max. The turkey will take center stage, but side dishes like roasted veggies, casseroles, and bread can easily be layered in around it.
If your oven is small or overbooked, consider using a slow cooker or stovetop to help out with sides. More burners = less stress. Who knew you could have a “holiday miracle” with just a little strategic multitasking?
8. Stay Calm with a Cooking Timeline
There’s a reason professional chefs have kitchen timelines—Thanksgiving is a marathon, not a sprint. Write out a timeline for the days you’ll be cooking or baking. Know when to start the turkey, when to pop in the casseroles, and when to give the mashed potatoes their moment of glory. A timeline helps you avoid the chaos of trying to juggle everything at once. Pro tip: Keep the timelines you’ve done, making sure to add in the last-minute tips and tricks you added. When it’s my turn to host the big meal for my extended family, not only do I pull out the recipes, I also pull out the timelines.
If it all feels overwhelming, just repeat this mantra: “I can always order pizza if things go completely wrong.”
9. Take Shortcuts Where You Can
It’s tempting to go all Martha Stewart on Thanksgiving, but remember: You’re not competing for a Michelin star here. Take shortcuts when you can. Buy pre-chopped vegetables or frozen dinner rolls. Use store-bought pie crusts if it saves you time and stress. Heck, if it helps, buy the cranberry sauce in a can—it still counts as Thanksgiving food!
The goal is to make your life easier, not harder. If nobody notices that you didn’t make the stuffing from scratch, don’t sweat it.
10. Embrace the Imperfections—Perfection is Overrated
No Thanksgiving meal is flawless—and thank goodness for that. If your turkey’s a little dry, your pie crust is a little too crispy, or Nana Suze spills wine all over the tablecloth, just roll with it. Thanksgiving is about being together and sharing a meal. So what if the mashed potatoes are a little lumpy? At least you didn’t burn the house down.
Remember, imperfections are what make the holiday memorable. You might even end up laughing about that turkey mishap for years to come.
Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a stressful, chaotic experience. With a little planning and a lot of delegating, you can create a holiday that’s both fun and delicious. So, relax, enjoy the time with family, and remember—there’s no such thing as a “perfect” Thanksgiving. Just a lot of good food, laughter, and maybe a little turkey-induced food coma. Happy Thanksgiving!
Other helpful articles for Thanksgiving: