The First-Timer’s Guide to Planning Thanksgiving Dinner

Planning Thanksgiving dinner can be daunting. But with our Thanksgiving guide and a few checklists, you'll be set up for holiday success.

Break out the cranberry sauce and French fried onions—Thanksgiving is right around the corner! If this is your first time preparing all the traditional Thanksgiving recipes, from the turkey to the pumpkin pie, follow this guide to planning Thanksgiving dinner. We break down what to do and when to do it, so this year’s celebration can be a stress-free success.

1 Month Before Thanksgiving

A smoked turkey on a platter arranged beautifully on a Thanksgiving table.Taste of Home

It’s not too early to start thinking about the year’s biggest dinner a full month in advance.

Here’s what you should be doing four weeks before Thanksgiving.

  • Create the guest list: Before you can do anything (like shopping for beautiful Thanksgiving dinnerware), it’s important to get those invites out and know who is joining your Thanksgiving table.
  • Buy the Thanksgiving products you’ll need: You don’t want to be caught without a gravy boat the day before Thanksgiving. Take stock of your Thanksgiving tablecloths, dinnerware, serving trays and more so you know if you need to shop for any new pieces or replacements.
  • Brainstorm menu ideas: Are you going for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu or do you want to mix it up this year? Start planning what you want to serve, from the turkey to the sides to the wine. For first-time hosts, stick with simpler dishes to relieve some of the stress of the day. Want to make the best gravy? Learn how to make gravy from pan drippings.

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3 Weeks Before Thanksgiving

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With your guest list in hand, you’re ready to begin your Thanksgiving plans in earnest.

2 Weeks Before Thanksgiving

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With just two weeks before the big day, it’s time to really hammer out the details of planning Thanksgiving dinner. Pull out your harvest decor, pull up those pinned recipes and get to work.

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A Few Days Before Thanksgiving

Chipotle Orange Cranberry Sauce; Citrus Herb Turkey; Thanksgiving Green BeansTaste of Home

Things can get hectic the week of Thanksgiving! Family is coming into town, you’ve got work to finish up before taking time off and there’s still shopping to do. Good thing you’ve already been in prep mode. Here’s what you need to cross off this week.

  • Finish your Thanksgiving shopping listNeed fresh sweet potatoes for your favorite sweet potato recipe or greens for a salad? Now is the time to get them. If you can,  finish all your shopping a few days before the holiday.
  • Tidy up the house: This might be the most tedious part of hosting Thanksgiving, but our holiday cleaning checklist makes it easier.
  • Prep pie crusts: If your Thanksgiving spread includes pies, take a little extra time to make homemade pie crust. You can do this several days in advance—just wrap the pastry up tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to roll it out.
  • Defrost the turkeyIf you purchased a frozen turkey, you’ll need to defrost it up to three days in advance of the meal. (Although, if you forget to pull out the turkey early enough, here’s how to roast a frozen turkey.)
  • Confirm with your guests: You asked your loved ones to bring dishes to pass and wine to share weeks ago. Take a few minutes to text or call them to make sure these tasks are still on their radar.

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The Day Before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving piesTaste of Home

You’re in the home stretch of planning Thanksgiving dinner. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the time to make any last lists and tackle as much as you can. You can even follow our secrets to a successful Thanksgiving and turn the last-minute prep into a party! Enlist friends to come over, make pies and enjoy some pre-holiday cheer. (Pizza delivery optional but encouraged!)

  • Make a checklist: Thanksgiving Day is busy! Ensure you don’t miss a thing by making an up-to-date list the day before. Include all the dishes you’re making and items guests are bringing, and note important times—like when the turkey should go in the oven.
  • Chill beverages: Serving champagne at your dinner? Better get those bottles, plus juices and soft drinks, in the fridge so they are cool by the time company comes. No room? Skip the garage and invest in this mini fridge that’s a must-have according to our editors.
  • Season the turkey: For a flavorsome turkey, you can season it the day before. For an extra-tender bird, try brining the turkey overnight.
  • Set the table: Yep, set the table for Thanksgiving the day before the big gig. Arrange all the dinnerware, silverware and stemware, then make sure there’s enough space for all the serving dishes you’ll be putting out tomorrow. Rearrange as needed.
  • Bake the desserts: Pumpkin pie, pecan pie and apple pie will all taste delicious on Thanksgiving Day, even when prepped the day before. You can try these make-ahead Thanksgiving dessert recipes, too.

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