Thanksgiving is around the corner, and if you’re hosting, chances are you’re starting to think about your to-do list. As the holiday approaches, starting your countdown now can go a long way in reducing stress. There are many small things you can do each day from now until Thanksgiving to make hosting more enjoyable and less overwhelming.
Being a planner by nature and having hosted Thanksgiving for over a decade, I wanted to share my personal Thanksgiving countdown, broken out by day starting the weekend before. Thanksgiving is a lot of work—there’s no way around that—and it can be stressful. But having a plan in place and doing a few key things in advance can make all the difference. After all, Thanksgiving is about spending time with loved ones, and as hosts, we deserve to enjoy the day just as much as our guests!
So let’s dive into the day-to-day tasks that have been part of my Thanksgiving readiness plan for years.
To make it easier, we’ve also included a printable version of the countdown at the bottom of this post.
Our Thanksgiving Countdown
First, some important advice: Don’t do it all yourself.
Hosting doesn’t mean you have to do everything. If you haven’t already, reach out for help and coordinate who’s bringing what. For larger groups, consider starting an email chain or Facebook group. It’s much easier than phone calls or texts. Let your guests pick items from your list, whether it’s appetizers, wine, desserts, or rolls. This keeps things organized and avoids duplicates. Also, if you are looking for some tips on keeping the cost under control, check out our tips here.
The Weekend Before:
I try to get a fair bit done over the weekend before Thanksgiving. While it makes for a busy weekend, it helps set the holiday vibes and makes me feel calmer knowing I’m organized well before Thursday.
Get the turkey organized:
If your turkey is frozen, figure out when to start defrosting. The general rule is 24 hours of thawing time for every 4–5 pounds. For a 20-pound turkey, you’ll need to start defrosting 4–5 days ahead. Haven’t bought your turkey yet? Head out today and get that off your list!
Create your master list:
Make one comprehensive list with sections for everything you need—food, supplies, and items to borrow. Don’t forget non-alcoholic drinks, paper goods, dinner rolls, ice, and staples like butter and spices. Also, think about any table essentials you might need, such as candles, a gravy boat, or a large platter for the turkey.
Delegate specific tasks:
Assign someone to be the potato masher and another to handle the gravy. Both are important parts of the meal and require focus. In my family, my brother-in-law makes the gravy while my husband carves the turkey, and my son takes on the potatoes (his favorite side dish!). It seems like a small thing, but having those important tasks assigned in advance makes everything run smoother in the hour before sitting down. Otherwise, you are trying to recruit people when you already have too many other things on your list, and that is just too chaotic.
Grocery shopping:
Tackle the bulk of your shopping early, preferably the weekend before Leave Monday early am or after work for last-minute items. This helps you avoid the rush closer to the holiday when the stores will be packed. Being in a crowded grocery store just days before the holiday is definitely not my idea of fun!
Check your supplies:
Make sure you have all the tools of the trade ready before Thursday morning. Since we use some things on Thanksgiving that we don’t use all the time, it’s easy to forget. Here are some essentials:
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Turkey baster
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Meat thermometer
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Roasting pan large enough for your turkey
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Sharpened carving knife
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Gravy boat
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Salt and pepper shakers filled
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Napkins for the table and appetizers
Monday: Set the Scene
Set your table:
Without question, this is one of my favorite parts of the holiday. Each year, I try something new to keep it interesting. Setting the table in advance lets you savor the process and ensures you’re not rushing to finish it last minute—it will take the joy right out of it! Plus, it makes your home feel festive in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Every time I walk by the dining room table, I’m reminded that the kids are coming home from college and that friends and family are coming. It makes my heart happy. Also, if you have kids, you can get them involved. It is never too early or late to teach your kids the joys of setting a beautiful table!
Finalize decorating:
If you like to put out Thanksgiving-specific decorations or extra candles, now is the time to do it so you can enjoy them longer and have fewer tasks closer to the day.
Tuesday: Prep Veggies and Make Stuffing
Prep veggies:
I prep everything— the butternut squash, mashed potatoes, green beans, and creamed onions—in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge, and on Thursday morning, they’ll be ready to cook with minimal mess. And when I haven’t done this in advance, Thanksgiving day feels totally different and not in a good way!
Make the stuffing:
Stuffing is often the most time-consuming part of the meal. Get it out of the way a few days early. I also like to get creative with stuffing, trying new variations each year, and doing it in advance gives me the time to do so.
Wednesday: The Day Before
Organize serving dishes:
Each year, I pull out my serving dishes and line them up on my dining room table along with the appropriate serving utensils. I then drop a note in each one saying what dish goes in which bowl or platter. During the final moments of getting everything on the table (usually the most hectic part of the day), I don’t want to think about this, and anyone helping can follow the notes rather than ask you. Searching for serving dishes with a crowd in the kitchen, saying “excuse me” repeatedly while getting things out of the oven or off the stove is stressful even for the most experienced cook.
Finish desserts and pies:
If you’re making your own desserts, plan to have them finished the day before. Or consider taking a trip to your local farm stand to pick up fresh pies. Buying desserts or asking guests to cover this part of the meal is a great time saver.
Prepare the “How Can I Help?” list:
This is one of my all time favorite hacks for any party I host, not just Thanksgiving. Guests frequently offer help, but without specific tasks in mind, it’s tempting to say you’re all set. Avoid this with a ready-made list of simple, quick tasks (like lighting candles, filling water glasses, or warming rolls). This way, when help is offered, you’re prepared to delegate without a second thought. Write it out beforehand and post it on your fridge. I also include mini “tips,” such as where things are located, so helpers can be as independent as possible.
Clear off your counter space:
Move unnecessary countertop appliances, like toasters or blenders, to other locations before Thursday so you have plenty of room to work and stay organized.
Thursday: Thanksgiving Day!
With most of the work done in advance, you should be in good shape on Thursday morning. Here are my typical to-do’s:
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Get all the pots and pans needed to cook the veggies (already prepped), fill them with water, and have them ready to go.
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Know your “start the turkey” time and set a timer so you don’t forget. You’ll be busy—it’s easy to miss an hour! (Speaking from experience.)
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Cook your stuffing an hour before you’re ready to sit down. If oven space is tight, cook it earlier and warm it up.
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Line up all your supplies for making the gravy and mashed potatoes—flour, seasonings, potato ricer or mixer. No digging around at the last minute.
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Chill your bowl for whipping cream to speed things up.
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And finally, take some time for yourself. Go for a walk, take a relaxing shower, and get ready to enjoy the celebration.
A Few Final Suggestions
Make it Meaningful
Thanksgiving is about being thankful, after all. It’s meant to be about sharing time with family and friends and being grateful for our blessings. It’s easy to forget that in all the shopping and chopping.
Here’s a sentimental touch that’s easy to add: ask your kids (and adults, too) what they’re most thankful for and have each person write it on the same piece of paper. Pop it into a frame and display it on your table or in a prominent spot in your kitchen. It becomes a beautiful keepsake to take out each year.
You could also use a special family journal and have everyone write in it each Thanksgiving. Younger kids can draw pictures. It’s a simple way to create wonderful family memories without much effort. When my son was four, he wrote down “apples, the earth, and his brother,” drew little pictures, and I laminated it. I take it out every year—it’s one of my favorite Thanksgiving keepsakes.
Forget Perfection
Drop the quest for the perfect holiday meal. Yes, Thanksgiving is about food, but it’s not only about that. It’s okay if your turkey isn’t perfect, your mashed potatoes are lumpy, or you forgot an ingredient. No one cares nearly as much as the host. I’ve struggled with this myself, but over time (and with more hosting), I’ve realized it’s true.
Buy yourself some flowers, get the fireplace ready for a cozy fire, or pull out your holiday pajamas to slip into after guests leave. Set the stage for gratitude and calm, and be proud of yourself for creating a wonderful day for family and friends.
Printable Thanksgiving Countdown Checklist
Here is a printable version of the checklist:
