Complete Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes – Planning the Perfect Holiday Feast

Timeline and Household Checklist

Hosting Thanksgiving involves lots of multitasking. Stay on top of everything that needs to be done with this checklist:

2-3 Months Before

• Set the guest list and send invitations
• Book hotel rooms or plan sleeping arrangements as needed
• Coordinate dishes with guests (set who’s bringing appetizers, sides, desserts etc.)
• Shop for decorations, serving ware, linens

1 Month Before

• Plan activities, games, entertainment
• Construct decorations and centerpieces
• Finalize the menu and make recipes
• Order turkey from butcher/farm and thaw in fridge if frozen
• Make freezer-friendly dishes like pie dough and cookie dough

1 Week Before

• Buy all dry goods, produce, beverages and place turkey order
• Prepare guest rooms, bathrooms, common areas
• Send guests an email reminder about arrival times, activities, dishes they’re bringing

2 Days Before

• Clean the house thoroughly – dust, vacuum, mop, sanitize bathrooms
• Chop and prep as much as possible – wash produce, measure dry ingredients etc.
• Pick up flowers and other perishable decor

Thanksgiving Day

• Wake up early to put turkey in the oven, reheat dishes, and finish cooking
• Set the table with linens, decorations, cutlery, drinks
• Right before meal, put out appetizers and set up any buffet areas
• During meal, refill drinks and replace empty platters as needed
• Wrap up leftovers promptly and give to guests

Planning out key tasks on this timeline reduces the last-minute panic and scrambling on Thanksgiving Day so you can fully relish time with loved ones.

Hosting Tips and Etiquette

Beyond the food and decor, thoughtful hosting goes a long way in making Thanksgiving special for your guests. Keep these hosting tips in mind:

Be Gracious – Set the tone with grace and gratitude as the host. Greet guests warmly at the door and make sure everyone feels welcome.

Make Introductions – Take a moment to introduce guests who don’t know each other. Breaking the ice helps everyone feel comfortable and included.

Guide the Meal – Direct the flow and pace of the meal like determining order of service and transitioning to family photos or activities after dinner.

Announce House Rules – Politely inform guests about rules like no shoes inside, smoking areas, or off-limit rooms.

Accommodate Needs – Do your best to provide for guests’ needs around food restrictions, seating requests, activities for kids, and more within reason.

Stock Up – Make sure there are plenty of back-up cups, plates, napkins, drinks, and food. Shortages add unnecessary stress.

Embrace Help – Accept (or assign)offers from guests to help prep, serve, and clean up. It makes them feel useful.

Be Flexible – Things won’t be perfect or go exactly as planned. Roll with whatever comes up with patience and a sense of humor.

Send Thank Yous – Show your appreciation by sending thank you notes or small gifts to guests who brought food or helped afterward.

Thanksgiving Activities and Games

Once the eating winds down, keep the festive atmosphere going by planning some activities. Here are fun ideas for all ages:

Family Talent Show – Let guests take turns showing off their unique talents and skills through song, magic tricks, comedy, dance, or other performances.

Charades – Split into teams and act out Thanksgiving-related words and phrases. Great for getting kids and adults playing together.

Turkey Bowling – Set up plastic bowling pins and see who can knock down the most rolling mini pumpkins as “bowling balls.”

Scavenger Hunt – Give each guest a list of items to find around your home and property. Offer fun prizes like homemade cookies or gift cards.

Guessing Game – Have guests write down answers to Thanksgiving trivia questions and quiz each other on facts about the holiday’s history, turkey cooking, football, parade traditions, and more.

Cornhole Toss – Hold a backyard cornhole tournament and award winners with pumpkin pies or fall treats.

Thankful Jar/Tree – Provide strips of paper where guests of all ages can share what they’re grateful for. Display them in a glass jar or tie onto a small tree.

Watch Football – Cheer on your favorite football teams or hold a friendly betting pool on scores and outcomes.

Group Puzzle – Set out large jigsaw puzzles to work on collectively while chatting and sipping after-dinner coffee or tea.

Pie Eating Contest – See who can eat a slice of pie the fastest without using their hands. It’s sure to draw laughs. Have plenty of wet wipes on hand!

Thanksgiving Leftovers Tips

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is enjoying all those delicious leftovers for days after. Follow these storage tips:

Let Foods Cool – Prior to storing, allow hot dishes to come fully down to room temperature. Separate out portions to quicken cooling.

Handle Turkey Safely – Remove all meat from the bones. Refrigerate white and dark meat within 2 hours in shallow containers.

Divide and Conquer – Separate stuffing and other ingredient-heavy dishes into smaller shallow containers for quick, even chilling.

Use Proper Containers – Avoid storing in the same vessels used for cooking or serving. Opt for airtight, non-reactive storage containers. Glass and stainless steel work best.

Practice FIFO – Use the “first in, first out” method when eating leftovers. Keep track of dates and use oldest items first.

Freeze Extras – For really large amounts, freeze meals, pie slices, breads, and other dishes to enjoy weeks later. Wrap tightly in plastic then foil.

Reheat Thoroughly – Don’t just warm up leftovers. Cook to 165°F to prevent bacteria growth. Bring soups, casseroles, and sauces like gravy to a boil before serving again.

Follow proper food safety guidance as you repurpose your leftovers into soups, casseroles, sandwiches, salads, and more over the coming days and weeks. 

With some creativity, you can give new life to even the most humble scraps.

Thanksgiving on a Budget

Hosting Thanksgiving can certainly take a toll on your wallet. Use these tips to cut costs without sacrificing the festivities:

Set Expectations – Be upfront with guests on any budget limitations or changes to traditional menus as needed. Most will happily oblige.

Delegate Dishes – Have guests sign up to each bring a side dish, dessert, or beverages. This saves you time and money while getting them involved.

Buy Store Brand – Opt for supermarket store brand items when possible. Canned veggies, broth, butter, flour, spices and more can all be generic brands.

Take Inventory – Check your pantry for items you may already have like broth, oils, spices, sugar, flour etc. to minimize duplicate purchases.

Shop Sales – Watch for coupon mailers and store ads for Thanksgiving ingredients. Stock up on discounted items you’ll definitely need like broth, baking staples, butter, potatoes.

Buy In Bulk – For large gatherings, buy meat, baked goods, beverages, and other supplies at warehouse stores like Costco where bulk prices can offer big savings.

Cook From Scratch – Make simple homemade versions of pricier convenience items like gravy, broth, bread, pie crust, and cranberry sauce.

Scale Back Menu – Stick to tried and true classic dishes. Eliminate extra appetizers, side dishes, desserts that may go uneaten and add expense.

Keep Decor Simple – Skip big floral arrangements and elegantly decorated tables. Opt for inexpensive autumn accents like gourds, mini pumpkins, and bare twigs collected from outside.

With some creativity and smart substitutions, you can serve up quintessential Thanksgiving hospitality without overspending. The holiday is about togetherness, not extravagance.

Thanksgiving for Two

If you find yourself hosting an intimate Thanksgiving dinner for two, don’t despair. You can still infuse holiday nostalgia into a small gathering.

Simplify the Menu – Focus on making just a few favorite dishes like roast turkey breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and pie rather than trying to replicate a huge spread.

Make it Special – Bring out the nice china, linens, and candles. Create a small, elegant tablescape for just the two of you. String twinkle lights for ambiance.

Adapt Traditions – Watch the parade and football on TV. Video call family and friends to say hello. Volunteer to serve meals at a local charity.

Get Outside – Go for a scenic hike, bike ride, or picnic to get fresh air and work up an appetite.

Prep Ahead – Take advantage of extra oven and stovetop space to prepare soup starters or side dishes like mac and cheese, corn pudding, or sautéed green beans in advance.

Embrace Leftovers – The small quantities make for easy leftovers to savor later in the long weekend without waste.

Make Mini Pies – Instead of large pies, bake up mini pumpkin, pecan, apple, or sweet potato pies to enjoy individual portions.

Find Gratitude – While it may look different than large family gatherings, still take time to reflect together on all there is to be grateful for, including each other.

So while hosting Thanksgiving for two may not be the liveliest affair, it can still be an intimate, memorable holiday centered around comfort, quality time, and gratitude.

Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving Menus

You certainly don’t need turkey to celebrate Thanksgiving. The holiday can easily be adapted to suit vegetarian and vegan diets.

Build Around Sides – Highlight flavorful vegetable side dishes, salads, soups and leave turkey off the menu. Roast cauliflower or squash in its place.

Hearty Plant-Based Mains – Swap in a savory lentil or mushroom walnut loaf, chickpea pot pie, vegetarian cassoulet, eggplant Parmesan, or wild rice stuffed peppers.

Vegan Appetizers – Try stuffed mushrooms, roasted red pepper hummus, fried cauliflower, avocado toast, lettuce cups, or white bean and kale dip.

Plant-Based Gravy – Prepare gravy using vegetarian broth and seasonings. Thicken with cornstarch, flour, or pureed veggies instead of fat drippings.

Dairy-Free Sides – Mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, cranberry sauce, succotash, stuffing, and maple glazed carrots can all be made vegan.

Alternative Desserts – Bake hitting vegan desserts like pumpkin custard, pecan pie, apple crisp, or chocolate avocado mousse.

Offer Substitutions – Provide plant-based dairy substitutes like almond milk, coconut creamer, and vegan butter so guests can still enjoy their pumpkin pie and latte.

With a mix of classic and reinvented plant-based dishes, vegetarian and vegan guests can delight in their own Thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

When hosting a major holiday event, taking key safety precautions helps ensure things go smoothly for you and your guests.

Childproof Home – Secure appliances, cover outlets, lock away medications and cleaning products so kids and pets stay safe. Designate a kid-friendly space.

Prevent Slips – Place no-slip rugs in entryways, bathrooms and kitchen. Wipe spills promptly and avoid over-waxing floors. Provide sturdy chairs for older guests.

Practice Fire Safety – Check smoke detectors. Keep exits clear. Have an approved fire extinguisher nearby just in case.

Handle Food Properly – Wash produce. Store/reheat leftovers at proper temperatures. Discard foods left at room temperature over 2 hours.

Control Allergies – Be aware of guests with food allergies. Avoid cross-contamination when preparing multiple dishes.

Stay Hydrated – Have plenty of water available for guests. Caffeine and alcohol can cause dehydration.