How To Host The Best Thanksgiving Dinner
For years my mom always hosted Thanksgiving dinner. A few years ago I took over the reigns. And not to toot my own horn, but I have figured out how to host the best Thanksgiving dinner ever!
I am going to share all my tips and tricks with you. Everything from the perfect foolproof menu to an easy DIY project for Thanksgiving place cards!
And be sure to check out the giveaway at the end of the post.
How To Host The Best Thanksgiving Dinner
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 is 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!
And if you are 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 Farmhouse Fall Table is perfect with it’s accents of copper and little white pumpkins.
Thanksgiving Menu Recipes
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 on Thanksgiving. 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:
Thanksgiving Appetizers and Desserts
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.
Thanksgiving Non-Alcoholic Punch
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 Thanksgiving! There are some great recipes out there but here are a few of my favorites.
15 Minute Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot
The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Don’t forget the side dishes! From veggies, to breads, these recipes will help round out your 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.
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!
Appetizers
Drinks
Condiments & Gravy
Side Dishes
Carmelized Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Turkey
Desserts
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A Thanksgiving Giveaway!
We Are Giving Away Two Prizes
$260 Payal Cash & 2 Hallstrom Home Linen Tea Towels
Cherie
November 16, 2018 at 8:58 amI would love a chance to try Rhonda’s tea towels. As for what I’d spend the PayPal cash on… me! Its been a while since I bought something for me. Kids and house needs always seem to come first. 🙂
Nicki burke
November 16, 2018 at 2:35 pmCant wait to try these recipes. Cash during the holidays, what could be better than to find some special items for the grandbabies
Sue M.
November 16, 2018 at 6:39 pmLove all the Thanksgiving ideas and the opportunity to win the giveaway! Linen and towels…two of my favorite things! Happy Thanksgiving! I
calgalsue@gmail.com
sarah
November 16, 2018 at 10:37 pmOh wow this was all so gorgeous and sounds amazing! I would love to put the tea towels in my kitchen!
Donna
November 17, 2018 at 3:45 amI’m not cooking this Thanksgiving but will be on Christmas. All these recipes sound delicious and I will try a few. The tea towels are lovely and would look nice in the kitchen. Cash is always nice this close to Christmas!
Barb
November 17, 2018 at 9:15 amI 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
November 17, 2018 at 9:15 amThese are all great tips! Thank you for the links and great recipes!
Kristen
November 17, 2018 at 9:39 amIm 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
November 17, 2018 at 10:20 amI would looove to win a tea towel!!
♥️ Katie
Delia Teal
November 17, 2018 at 1:07 pmLove the center piece and the delicious drink you fixed. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving
Tiffany
November 17, 2018 at 11:16 pmYum! 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
November 18, 2018 at 1:46 pmi’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! tongatej@sbcglobal.net
Lindsay
November 19, 2018 at 5:44 pmThanks 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
November 20, 2018 at 7:16 amA 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
November 20, 2018 at 7:51 amLove 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
November 20, 2018 at 1:18 pmL would love to win the tea towels!! So cute!
Andrea leitch
November 20, 2018 at 7:47 pmI 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 ❤️
Dee Turk
November 20, 2018 at 9:08 pmFirst, I want to thank you for all the information you provided with your Thanksgiving blog post. What a plethora of fantastic info! I read through your recipes, and just appreciated the time and effort it took for you to put all of this together, there was so much good information even for seasoned Cooks such as myself I just appreciated it so much! I would love Rhonda’s linens, she is such a gifted, hard working woman it would look great in any person’s kitchen. As for the PayPal cash, well it’s embarrassing to admit that I only have sandals and no closed-toed shoes so I’m in desperate need of actually treating myself.
Sue M.
November 16, 2018 at 7:06 pmthank you for all the great ideas/recipes for thanksgiving! i love the linen tea towels…two of my favorite things. =) happy thanksgiving
calgalsue@gmail.com