Everything you need to host Thanksgiving like a pro! I have compiled years of catering and event planning experience into a complete guide including free printable planners and expert tips to teach you how to host Thanksgiving – the easy way!
Create a Thanksgiving to remember with a traditional Thanksgiving menu infused with inspired dishes, gorgeous Thanksgiving table settings, printable activities, a Thanksgiving playlist and so much more!
What Day is Thanksgiving this Year?
This year, Thanksgiving falls on November 27, 2025. This holiday always falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
Regardless of the date, the Thanksgiving countdown is on and I’m here to help! I’m covering everything you need to entertain like a true pro. You’ll find the best laid plans for shopping, meal planning, decorating, Thanksgiving activities and so much more!
Are you ready? Let’s make like Joey from Friends and find our maternity pants to make sure we have room for all this partying!
Thanksgiving Planner
Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t need to feel stressful or complicated! I like to be organized when entertaining and created an array of Thanksgiving printables to guide you!
Thanksgiving is a marathon, not a sprint…a little planning and prep allows you to relax and enjoy the holiday.
THANKSGIVING PLANNER
My free printable planner includes everything you need:
- Shopping List
- Menu Planner
- Cooking Schedule
- Week of Schedule
- Guest List
- Table Setting and Theme
- Basic Planning – Date, time, guest list, etc. When you’re working ahead, you’ll also want to pull your linens, china, candles, and all the good stuff to make sure you’ve got the proper amounts of what you’ll need.
- Menu Planning – This worksheet will also walk you through the ins and outs of which dishes to make ahead, cooking methods, bake times, etc for a traditional Thanksgiving menu that is truly unforgettable. You can also label serving pieces so you know what will go in each piece.
- Timeline – This worksheet guides you through a schedule for week to outline what needs to be completed each day.
- Shopping List – List ingredients for each dish and notes, as needed.
- Cooking Schedule – I can’t live without my cooking schedule when entertaining. It helps me remember what needs to go where and when in the mix of visiting with guests and valuable oven and stovetop space, including what I can make ahead!
- Table Setting and Decor Details – This outline guides you through your vision including color palette, linens, candles, china and serving pieces, place cards and more, serving as a reminder for pieces you need to pull or items that need to be added to the shopping list.
Thanksgiving Shopping List
Once you’ve planned your menu, the shopping should be the easiest part, right? Well, not always. If you’re anything like me, you’ll forget items, run from one store to the next, and just generally create more work for yourself.
Thankfully, I have online ordering options for grocery shopping now, where it’s easier to check things off my list one by one. However, I still need that list and it needs to be organized! This printable Thanksgiving shopping list is the perfect solution to getting all your needs in one place.
Spending less time shopping and more time on FUN Thanksgiving activities! You’ll be able to reference your traditional Thanksgiving menu as you shop, which is so helpful.
Thanksgiving Menu Planner
In this free printable menu planner, you can organize your thoughts and entertaining timeline as the big day approaches. I promise – hosting Thanksgiving isn’t intimidating if you’re organized!
Timing is so important when it comes to creating a meal as large as this one. I can’t stress this enough – planning ahead will save your sanity on this day! You’ll want to consider all the details about things that can be made ahead – including appetizers, side dishes and desserts.
Another important item to consider is oven time. Many of our homes don’t have double ovens, thus making that warming space a hot commodity on Thanksgiving day.
Tip
Carefully consider which dishes can be made ahead of time! You’ll want to avoid standing over the stove so that you can allow plenty of time to chat with guests. Quality family time is precious indeed!
Traditional Thanksgiving Menu
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Recipes
Get all the best recipes to plan an incredible Thanksgiving feast! These are tried and true recipes that stand the test of time…classics, fresh ideas, and everything in between! Read More
Everyone knows that the turkey is supposed to be the star of the show on this holiday. However, I beg to differ. If a person could make a meal out of side dishes and desserts alone, that’s what I would prefer! (And sometimes that’s exactly what I choose to do!)
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, you’ve got to try these tried and true reader favorites that to truly make the side dishes, appetizers, and desserts the star of the show.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
A few of my faves for a traditional Thanksgiving menu? Your turkey will be intimidated by all this greatness…
Thanksgiving Appetizers
An array of appetizers keep hungry kids (and adults) at bay while you finish up any remaining work in the kitchen! These are just a few of my favorites!
Thanksgiving Desserts
Thanksgiving Cocktails
These cocktails bring the spirt(s)!
Thanksgiving Mocktails and Drinks
Thanksgiving Activities
While food is the main event, often friends and family can hang out and visit for hours (or even days) when you’re entertaining. It’s always a great idea to have fun Thanksgiving activities planned that will fill in gaps in conversation and create time for you to finish the meal!
Thanksgiving activities don’t need to be complicated – they just need to be fun. This gives guests something to do during conversation lulls, and can also serve as icebreakers when folks may not be well acquainted.
These are not just about Thanksgiving for kids – anyone will love these ideas!
Thanksgiving For Kids
Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to teach our children to be thankful. They can discuss the things they are grateful for just like we can! Setting them up with their own table shouldn’t be intimidating – in fact, it’s lots of fun for the kids and adults too.
When the girls were little, I’d create a special space for them to enjoy with word searches, thank-you cards to write, and books about Thanksgiving to entertain them while I was bustling in the kitchen.
Thanksgiving for kids can be so much fun, and such a special time to learn and spend time with family! A few of our favorite Thanksgiving books for a variety of ages:
Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks
Let’s Be Thankful my personal favorite
Thanksgiving Decorations
Table settings are one of my favorite elements of hosting for the holidays! It makes the occasion feel even more special. A few fresh flowers or branches bring life to your home and make it feel festive. You can find all of my floral secrets here.
Tip
Make centerpieces ahead! I purchase flowers two days in advance so the blooms are open, lush and beautiful!
Thanksgiving Table Settings
These are just a few of my favorite simple Thanksgiving centerpieces. Visit the full guide to choose from over 20 step-by-step tutorials.
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to dress your Thanksgiving table up for guests is to use my printable place cards. Over the years, I have created countless table settings to inspire your tables – get some of my best tips right here.
- Thanksgiving Entertaining Tips
- How to Set a Thanksgiving Table
- Elegant Dining Table for Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving Dinner Table Decoration Ideas
Quick Tip
Allow children to help with setting the table and decorating. Thanksgiving for kids should be fun but also an opportunity to teach traditions and history!
My favorite table settings always begin with classic glassware, plates and flatware or china. My philosophy is that choosing classic, timeless pieces will serve you year round. Especially when it comes to hosting Thanksgiving and other holidays, I lean into classics. These are just a few of my favorites:
Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend
Far beyond a traditional Thanksgiving menu and meal, it’s time to gather with your family for fun outings and activities. Make new traditions if you don’t have any or work on some Thanksgiving Activities as a family!
It’s the holiday of togetherness, but also an opportunity to decompress. It’s the perfect time to:
- Do a fun run
- Go on a hike
- Take a bike ride
- Watch a football game with family and friends
- Go to the movies
- Watch a holiday lighting ceremony
Thanksgiving History
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that November 26 was a day to bless the family members of those who were lost in the Civil War. It was also a day that was meant to give thanks for the Gettysburg win. Lincoln declared that a national day of thanks-giving would happen in November, every year thereafter.
In modern terms, our current version of Thanksgiving is shaped after the harvest feast held by the Pilgrims in 1621. The Wampanoag tribe brought an amazing display of food to that year’s feast, because harvest celebrations were one of their own traditions. This was where the traditional Thanksgiving menu truly began!
President Roosevelt moved the celebration to our current placement on the calendar with the hopes that it would allow more time for a retail boost between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Heartfelt Thanks Julie! I have been using your fabulous planner for several years now!
Wishing you and your family a Blessed Holiday Season!
Thank you, Nancy! I’m so glad you find it useful. Wishing you all the joy this season!
Hi Julie! Not sure if you will see this but I was wondering where you got the small sage-colored shallow bowls? They are so adorable! Thank you for the guide- I printed out several of the planning sheets to use!
Of course I do!
They were a clearance find at Pottery Barn 8+ years ago. I just love them!