I am going to share all my tips and tricks with you for how to host the best Thanksgiving Dinner. Everything including the perfect Thanksgiving recipes, beautiful table settings and easy DIY projects for Thanksgiving place cards!
How To Host Thanksgiving Dinner
For years my mom has always hosted Thanksgiving dinner. But, a few years ago I volunteered to take over that task. And not to toot my own horn, but I have figured out how to host the best Thanksgiving dinner ever!
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the thought of cooking dinner for a crowd, take a deep breath! One of the best tips I have for you is to plan ahead. If you organize and plan out when you need to tackle each task, the entire process will seem like a breeze!
Print out this Ultimate Thanksgiving Planner and feel assured that you will be organized and ready! This will make it so easy for you to host the best Thanksgiving dinner.
Thanksgiving Table Ideas
Now, since you know how many people will be coming, it’s time to figure out where everyone will sit.
If you can comfortably seat everyone at your table this is great news! But if you need more room, you will need to move some furniture around and maybe even rent extra tables and chairs.
One of my favorite parts of hosting Thanksgiving dinner is being able to decorate my tables for the great feast! This year I created this Golden Thanksgiving Table and I loved how simple the centerpiece was using foraged materials!
If you are looking for an easy and inexpensive centerpiece idea, my DIY Fall Table Garland is so beautiful and can be made ahead of time, making day-of prep that much easier!
And if you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, you are probably looking for an easy DIY place card. These Printable Place Card Banners are perfect glued onto the stem of a pear, apple or even pumpkin!
If your vibe is a little more casual, this Simple Thanksgiving Table with White Pumpkins is perfect with rustic feel and neutral setting.
Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner: Menu Recipe Ideas
So, now you have your guest list and table decor figured out. Let’s talk about the menu.
In order to host the best Thanksgiving Dinner, you need to have some great recipes! I have compiled some of my favorites for you. Everything from appetizers, to side dishes and even how to smoke a Turkey!
I also want to share with you this Definitive Pounds-per-Person Guide to Turkey and Potatoes. This is such a handy tool in determining how much food to buy when planning your menu.
Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
Let’s talk about what recipes you can make ahead of time. There is nothing worse than slaving away in the kitchen all day when you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner.
Choose some recipes for your menu that can be prepared fully or partially beforehand. If you are making rolls, feel free to freeze them beforehand.
Here are some of my favorites:
Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner: Appetizers and Drinks
You will for sure want to greet your guests with a festive drink and some light bites to eat! These are my go-to recipes when entertaining.
How To Make A Charcuterie Board
Baked Cheese, Pear and Prosciutto Crescents
Thanksgiving Non-Alcoholic Punch
Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
How To Smoke A Turkey
Have you ever smoked a turkey? My brother-in-law is bringing one this year for Thanksgiving dinner and I can’t wait.
Check out this guide for How To Smoke A Turkey if you are thinking about trying it for this year’s Thanksgiving feast!
Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes
The Instant Pot is a great time saving tool and can really come in handy when it comes to hosting Thanksgiving dinner! There are some great recipes out there but here are a few of my favorites.
15 Minute Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot Curried Lentil Soup
The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Don’t forget the side dishes! From veggies, to breads, these recipes will help round out your Thanksgiving dinner menu.
Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
Some say that dessert is their favorite meal! And Thanksgiving is known for it’s desserts so you don’t want to skimp on this category! Check out these favorite Thanksgiving Desserts.
Mason Jar Pumpkin Pies with Free Printable Tags
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Thanksgiving Menu Planner
Now, here is a handy list of all the recipes I have included in the post, sorted by category so you can start planning how to host the best Thanksgiving Dinner!
Just click the links to find the full recipe.
Thanksgiving Appetizers
How To Make A Charcuterie Board
Baked Cheese, Pear & Prosciutto Crescents – Julie Blanner
Thanksgiving Drinks
Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
Condiments & Gravy
Side Dishes
Carmelized Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Turkey
Thanksgiving Desserts
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Enjoy this time with friends, family and loved ones. There is joy in the planning a special meal for those you love, but don’t forget the real reason for gathering!
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sarah
Oh wow this was all so gorgeous and sounds amazing! I would love to put the tea towels in my kitchen!
Barb
I would love tea towels, beautiful AND useful! And I think i’d use the cash for aprons for my daughter and nieces to wear while we cook together 🙂
Kristen smith
These are all great tips! Thank you for the links and great recipes!
Kristen
Im pretty sure I already commented but I didn’t see if it went through. Thank you for the wonderful recipes and links! If I won the cash I would go Chr shopping! The tea towels would be great gift for my sister!
Katie baker
I would looove to win a tea towel!!
♥️ Katie
Delia Teal
Love the center piece and the delicious drink you fixed. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving
Tiffany
Yum! Can’t wait to try some
Of these recipes! the tea towels are gorgeous and would be stunning In
MY home. As for the cash, I’ve been wanting to finallyd decorate my master bedroom—this would be a huge help to get me started!
Joycelyn tongate
i’m going to make the mini mason jar pies first! Thank you for all the recipes! I love the tea towels but I would choose the cash to help with Christmas! [email protected]
Lindsay
Thanks for so many great recipe ideas- love the new takes on some traditional side dishes. The PayPal cash would come in handy for a special Christmas present idea I have for my mom and the halls trim tea towels would look beautiful in my kitchen with navy accents!
Christine Lally
A feast for the stomach and for the eyes! Organization is not my strong suit, so I appreciate all of your suggestions!
The PayPal gift card would be used to buy materials to use in making some handmade gifts for family and friends.
Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Ellen
Love all the ideas! I could use either of the prizes. =) . i’d like to somehow use the towels in part of a centerpiece and the cash would be used to improve my cooking tools in my kitchen!
Natalie
L would love to win the tea towels!! So cute!
Andrea leitch
I would love the tea towels to use during the holidays to keep buns warmed yet classily covered 😉, and who can’t use an extra little cash to help kids fly home during the holidays ❤️
KariAnne Wood
Ashley, you totally put me in the Thanksgiving mood today! Thanks for all these wonderful ideas. Happy day!!
karianne
Sue M.
thank you for all the great ideas/recipes for thanksgiving! i love the linen tea towels…two of my favorite things. =) happy thanksgiving
[email protected]