Does the thought of hosting Thanksgiving dinner seem overwhelming to you? Well, I have good news, it doesn’t have to be! Let me show you how to plan now to have the best Thanksgiving ever!
Hosting family or friends for this special holiday does not have to be stressful! If you start preparing early and do a few tasks each week, you will not feel overwhelmed!
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
I’m going to break everything down for you and I’ve provided printable sheets to make your life even easier!
Prepare a Thanksgiving planner
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for our many blessings!
But, if you’re hosting the event you may be dreading all the work that’s involved!
After all, there’s a lot more to it than making a meal.
You have to clean the house, shop, cook, and then clean up after the big event!
To help you keep track of everything, I put together a planner you can print at home!
All you have to do is grab a binder and print the pages that apply to your situation!
To gain access to our free printable library sign up for our email here!
plan What to do each week in November
Let’s begin by breaking the month down into four weeks!
Don’t wait until the week of Thanksgiving to start preparing!
Instead, do a few tasks each week leading up to the big day!
You’ll be so glad you did when you can relax and enjoy your company instead of worrying about the fact you don’t have a pan big enough to cook the turkey in!
first Week
- Plan the guest list -Use our Guest List Printable to write down names of family or friends you want to invite
- Plan the menu-Use this handy printable to write down all the foods you want to include in the meal
- Contact your guests and assign dishes-Grab the Guest List Printable you already filled out and contact everyone on it. Write down what each person is bringing, and the number of adults and kids in their group.
- Prepare a shopping list based on the menu-Use our Shopping List Printable. Notice that it is divided into perishable and non-perishable items. That’s because you will shop for these items at different times.
- Contact stylist/groomer for hair appointments
- Plan Christmas card/picture
- Order fresh turkey (or a prepared one, if you don’t cook)If you purchase a frozen turkey, see below.
- Plan your Thanksgiving decor
- Shop for or make decor items you need
- Test new recipes-If it’s your first time making a recipe, you might want to try it out beforehand!
- Start deep cleaning your home-Check out our Fall Home Organization Challenge if you need help decluttering and cleaning your entertaining spaces!
second week
- Plan the seating arrangement-figure out how many tables and chairs you will need to seat everyone.
- Make or buy place cards
- Plan to borrow or buy extra tables/chairs, if needed
- Inventory plates, glassware, utensils, linens, serving pieces, and cookware
- Shop for or borrow any items you will need, especially if you use disposable items
- Shop for foil, freezer bags, and left-over containers
- Shop for alcohol and soft drinks
- Shop for a frozen turkey
- Shop for any items needed to prepare turkey depending on baking, smoking, or frying
- Plan how many days it will take your frozen turkey to thaw & add it to the calendar
- Plan an hour-by-hour itinerary for how to cook food for the Thanksgiving meal-use our Cooking Schedule Printable to write down each dish, what day you will prepare it, the appliance to use, and when to begin and end cooking it.
third week
- Plan airport pick-ups
- Plan meals, sleep arrangements, and activities for out-of-town guests-use our Holiday Menu Plan Printable
- Shop for non-perishable grocery items-use our Shopping List Printable
- Clean out the refrigerator
fourth week
- Clean the house
- Thaw turkey in the refrigerator allowing 24 hours for every 4 pounds
- Set the table(s)
- Shop for perishable grocery items, flowers, and ice-use the Shopping List Printable
- Prepare any food/dessert items you can ahead of time-refer to the Cooking Schedule Printable
- Set up a drink station
Thanksgiving Day
Use the Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule Printable to complete the following tasks:
- Cook the turkey
- Prepare side dishes
- Reheat dishes prepared ahead of time
- Enjoy your meal and your guests
After dinner
- Put away leftovers, allowing guests to make to-go plates
- Put away extra tables and chairs
- Pretreat table linen stains
- Wash and put away dishes
The next day
- Pat yourself on the back for a job well done
- Clean up anything left unattended from the day before
- Shop for Black Friday
- Eat yummy left-overs
- Start preparing for Christmas-read our post on Thanksgiving Weekend Traditions
I love having everything I need for Thanksgiving written down in the same place.
This planner takes the guess work out of entertaing and reminds me what I need to do and when I need to do it!
Are you ready to print your binder and make a plan to have a stress-free Thanksgiving?
I sure hope so! Let me know in the comments below!
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Until next time, follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram!
Blessings, Donna and Rich
pin it For Later
More Fall home inspiration
- Fall Home Organization and Improvment Challenge
- Simple Tips to Get Your Living Room Holiday Ready
- Best Ideas to Create an Organized Entryway
- Organize Your Dining Room for Easy Entertaining
- Fall Home Decor
items to help you have a stress free thanksgiving
Click the picture of the item you wish to purchase to make Thanksgiving your best ever.
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
This is a fantastic guide to getting organized for Thanksgiving. I like how you’ve broken all the tasks up by week. That’s key!
Thanks, Maria! Breaking tasks down by weeks is very helpful to me! I also love using the cooking schedule printable on the day of the event, so I don’t forget anything!! Happy day, Donna
This Thanksgiving planning guide is so helpful, Donna, thank you! Not only are we hosting this year for the first time ever, but we’ll alsos be hosting at the cabin in the tiniest kitchen. Thanks so much for making it easy and for passing along your best tips and tricks, they’re invaluable! Hugs, CoCo
That’s so exciting that you’re hosting for the first time! I’m glad that my tips might help you in some way! Thanksgiving is such an important day, and I want the hosts to be able to enjoy it as much as the guests! Here’s to planning a wonderful holiday! Blessings, Donna
What a wonderful post Donna. I love how you get us organized. I can;t wait to download your sheets. Maybe there is hope for me :)))
I would not be able to prepare the whole Thanksgiving meal, by myself, without them. They are helpful to me, and I hope you find them useful! Thank you!
The tables cape looks so beautiful! Love the china cabinet too! Thanks for all of the great tips!
Have a happy day!
Hi, Mary! Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed our tips and I hope they help you have a stress-free holiday! Blessings, Donna
Rich and Donna, this is such an awesome post! I love how you’ve simplified everything by week and all the free printables. Thank you so much for sharing and linking up in my Wednesday link party! I’m happy to be featuring you this week! https://www.ourtinynest.com/2022/10/26/wednesday-link-party-319/
Hi Nicolle! I’m so glad you enjoyed our Thanksgiving planning post and we’re so honored that you are sharing it with your readers! Have a wonderful week and thanks for hosting such a great link party!
Such a great post full of helpful ideas and tips! Thank you for sharing! Pinned!
You’re welcome, Lynne! I hope it helps others as much as it’s helped me! Thanks, Donna
Wow, so much goes in to it. You’re very well organised. Thanks for sharing your process.
If your preparing the meal by yourself it is a lot to remember so I had to write it all down!! It really is a handy planner! Thanks!
Planning ahead step by step is agood thing ofr Thanksgiving and Christmas Add Easter in too! Any big holiday with lots of food and comapny
I completely agree Linda, it is so helpful and reduces stress! Thank you and have a great day!
Love the details…isn’t that what trips us up? Thanks.
Thank you, Linda! There are so many details it’s impossible to remember them all! I love having it all written down!