Thanksgiving is one of my FAVORITE times to host friends and family. However it definitely can be super overwhelming and stressful if you don’t plan ahead!
Below you’ll find my exact timeline on how I plan for Thanksgiving and when to do what. There’s even a shoppable collage to get you set up with some prep essentials, and a timeline you can Pin or print.
Whether you love to host regularly, or if it’s your first time I’ve got you covered with the ultimate tips and checklist to help you get organized & make hosting as smooth and stress-free as possible for you!
My Thanksgiving Planning Timeline
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Start planning 3-4 weeks before Thanksgiving!
Set a guest list and budget.
Before you can get to any planning, you need to know how many people you’ll have at your house on Thanksgiving. Call up friends and/or family members to get the T-Day talk going.
The bigger your party, the more sides and drinks you need to shop for. Most importantly, the number of guests also determines the size turkey you need and how many tables and chairs you’ll need.
Plan your menu.
About a month in advance, start thinking about your Thanksgiving menu and decide what dishes you’re going to make.
Start with your favorite or family turkey recipe, then move onto any hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, salads, and desserts you want to serve.
If you wanted to take some of the pressure off yourself you can ask guests to bring easy dishes like desert, salad, hors d’oeuvres and side dishes.
Order your turkey.
If you’re not buying a frozen turkey, you’ll need to order it from your butcher well in advance. The turkey should be the first thing you get for Thanksgiving once your guest count is final. Depending on your area I’d call ahead 3-4 weeks in advance to see when you need to preorder by.
If you want a fresh Turkey, be sure to order ahead of time. Usually, you can go to the meat counter or your local butcher and order it there. They’ll help coordinate when you can pick it up.
For frozen turkeys, just make sure you don’t wait until the last minute to avoid them selling out.
PRO TIP: If you have one oven, space for roasting a turkey along with sides can get tight. MEASURE YOUR OVEN SPACE. Move the bottom rack as low as it can go in your oven, slide in your baking dishes, then put the other rack on top of the dishes. Put your roasting dish on the top rack, then measure accordingly so you know how big of a bird your oven can actually accommodate.
Take Inventory.
Once you have your Thanksgiving menu planned, take an inventory of serving dishes, cooking utensils, or any specialty items you need for your recipes. Maybe you’re missing a special pan for dessert or need to upgrade an old tool.
You should also do a quick check over drinking glasses, dishes, and silverware to make sure you have enough for your guests.
Checking your prep and serving inventory several weeks in advance gives you plenty of time to pick up any extras you need to help the cooking process for Thanksgiving Day.
Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn and Ikea are my go-to’s for affordable white dishes that work with any aesthetic. Here are some staples that I use every time I’m hosting:
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Stemless wine glasses – no stems = less spills
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Tiered server – great for finger foods and appetizers
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Warming Tray – keep food warm when serving
I also really recommend using a Kitchen Aid stand mixer for Thanksgiving prep. It’s so much quicker than hand mixing, and I even use it to whip my mashed potatoes at warp speed! Although it’s an investment, it’s something you will definitely use through out the year and I can’t recommend it enough.
You also want to make sure you have a meat thermometer on hand to make sure you don’t over/under cook the turkey!
CLICK ON THE COLLAGE BELOW TO SHOP MY FAVORITE THANKSGIVING PREP ESSENTIALS!
Two Weeks before Thanksgiving
Start making a shopping list.
Once you have a good idea who’s coming to dinner, you can start to plan your Thanksgiving grocery list. Look over your selected recipes, figure out how much of each you need to make, then write out the ingredients you’ll need as well as any other items you need, such as paper plates,napkins, and tablecloths.
This is also a good time to delegate dishes to your guests if you’re doing a potluck. Be sure they also have a headcount, so they know how much to bring.
Buy your Wine, Liquor & non-perishable items.
I prefer to buy all non-perishable items as soon as possible to avoid the holiday crowds. Wine and liquor have a long shelf life, so you can purchase both whenever you have time, no matter how far in advance it is.
You probably don’t want to play bartender all evening, so plan a big batch drink or stick to wine so that your guests can help themselves. You can also opt to hire a bartender or find a local mobile bar service. We’ve used these in these past and a its a great way to keep the drinks under control, but still make the guests feel extra special like they’re out at the bars!
if you forget something in this round, you can get it on your “perishable items” grocery trip.
Clean your house.
Thanksgiving groceries and dishes always take up more space than you think. About 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving, plan to clear out any old things in your fridge and freezer to preemptively make space for the big day, as well as tidy and prepare any spaces where you’ll be entertaining guests. This will give you one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving Day so that you only need a quick tidy-up before guests arrive for dinner.
This is also a good time to wash and dry any tablecloths and cloth napkins you have. Steam and fold ahead of time so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
Decorate your home.
Plan out what kind of fall decor, centerpiece, or flowers you might want at your Thanksgiving table. We have a pretty small dining table, so I keep things simple with eucalyptus, baby pumpkins, and candles as my centerpiece.
Add some festive touches throughout your home where guests will be hanging out, like the entryway, living room and bathroom, to create a welcoming and cozy atmosphere.
One week before Thanksgiving:
Shop for Perishable Items
With perishable items, the key is to shop as close to Thanksgiving Day as possible so your food can still be fresh. Unfortunately, this timeline is the same for everyone, no matter how prepared you are in planning for Thanksgiving. I make a point of getting to the grocery store first thing in the morning so that I can still have the rest of the day.
If you have a fresh turkey to pick up, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is a good day to grab it. If there’s any ice from the store, you’ll have time to still thaw that small part.
Make your Day-of Cooking Plan
Take another look at your recipes, and really read through them. This will help you in two ways:
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You can figure out what can be prepped ahead of time to cut down on day-of cooking
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You can plan cooking order and what needs to be started when on Thanksgiving Day
Prepare any dishes that can be made ahead of time.
If any of your recipes allow for freezing ahead of time, take advantage of the weekend and prep those items.
Use the day before Thanksgiving to prep for recipes, like potato peeling or vegetable chopping. You can also use this day to make recipes that need time to set (pies) or rise (doughs).
Put any wines or Champagnes that need to be chilled into the fridge so that they’re ready to go once your guests arrive on Thanksgiving day.
Thaw your turkey.
If you’re buying a frozen turkey, make sure to start thawing it in the refrigerator at least two days before Thanksgiving to avoid a frozen turkey come cooking time!!
After many Google searches over the years, I’ve found that the rule of thumb for turkey defrosting is one day for every four pounds.
Spot Clean & Set the table.
You’re almost there! Spot clean your home a day or two before Thanksgiving with a quick vacuum, then tidy up your entryway and living room. If you have a glass table, be sure to clean it so it sparkles.
I also like to pre-set the table with everything (linens, silverware, and glasses) at least 2 days before so its not something I have to think about last minute. Add your centerpiece so you have a welcoming spread upon your guests’ arrivals.
Label Your Dishes
Remember how you took inventory of your serving dishes and bought any extras you needed? Time to take these babies out in preparation for your dinner.
I physically label my dishes with Post-It notes so I know what’s going where. I know this sounds nuts, but come Thanksgiving Day, I have zero stress on plating because I can visibly see what goes where.
Doing this ahead of time will also give you time to grab something just in case you forgot a dish or added something to your menu that you didn’t originally account for.
Thanksgiving Day:
YOU MADE IT, woo! Wake up early, go on a nice walk to get some fresh air, then start cooking!
Don’t be afraid to ask your family and friends for help if you need it. If they’re good guests, they should offer anyway.
Put on some music, be sure to snack while you’re cooking, and most importantly enjoy the day!!
Remember, Thanksgiving is a special time to celebrate with your family and loved ones. No one is going to really care about what goes wrong so relax, have fun, and be grateful for all that you have!
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