Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by karenpadgett25
Thanksgiving should be about family, friends, and delicious food, not stress. But, with all the cooking, cleaning, and hosting, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Don’t worry, though, we have your back. This blog post is here to help with ten tips for a stress-free Thanksgiving.
From managing the turkey to arranging the table settings, we’ve got you covered. Just sit back, relax, and make the most of your holiday. Enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving with our help!
This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. Plan ahead
The first step to stress-free Thanksgiving is planning ahead. This means getting your grocery list together well before the big day, and making sure you have everything you need on hand when it’s time to start cooking.
Keeping a stress-free Thanksgiving means staying organized and on top of things, so make sure you have everything in order well before the big day. This could mean setting up timers to help you keep track of your cooking times, or creating a detailed schedule for all of your prep activities.
Amazon has a good variety of holiday organizers that include meal planners, shopping lists and recipes to help you stay on track this holiday season.
2. Delegate tasks
With a stress-free Thanksgiving in mind, enlist the help of those around you.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends when it comes to the cooking and cleaning.
Your family and friends can play a part in preparation. Sharing tasks can lighten your load considerably.
Consider asking them to bring a dish or help with cleaning.
Having an extra pair of hands for kitchen prep is ideal. It can turn a hectic situation into a stress-free Thanksgiving.
Delegating is not a sign of weakness, it’s practical.
Embrace the teamwork spirit for a memorable and stress-free Thanksgiving.
3. Use tools to help you out
There are lots of great tools out there that can make Thanksgiving prep easier, from recipe apps that give you step-by-step instructions, to specialized cooking tools that help you get dinner on the table faster.
If you are like me, you probably don’t have enough oven space to accommodate all of your Thanksgiving dishes. Oster makes an electric roaster oven for your turkey so you can use your oven space for your sides.
Another great tool to use is a buffet server and food warmer. This is a great way to keep those green beans and yams warm while finishing up your Thanksgiving dinner.
Check out these 11 Essential Kitchen Tools for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving:
- Turkey Baster: This tool helps to keep your turkey juicy and tender. It collects the drippings from the turkey which can be used to baste the turkey throughout the cooking process.
- Roasting Pan: A durable roasting pan is essential for cooking your turkey. It ensures even cooking and can handle the weight of a large bird.
- Thermometer: A reliable meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining if your turkey is fully cooked, ensuring a perfectly cooked bird every time.
- Sharp Carving Knife: A quality carving knife makes slicing your turkey much easier, providing cleaner cuts and making the carving process faster.
- Potato Ricer: This tool helps create fluffy, lump-free mashed potatoes, an essential side dish for Thanksgiving.
- Slow Cooker: Using a slow cooker for side dishes can free up space on your stovetop and in the oven.
- Food Processor: A food processor can speed up your prep work, helping you quickly chop, slice, and shred ingredients.
- Mixing Bowls: Having a variety of sizes of mixing bowls on hand can make preparing your recipes more organized and efficient.
- Rolling Pin: For those making homemade pies, a rolling pin is essential for getting the perfect pie crust.
- Timer: A simple but essential tool, a timer helps you track cooking times for multiple dishes at once, ensuring nothing gets over or undercooked.
- Cooling Racks: Essential tool for baking. You can never have enough of these racks. Consider multi-tier racks for more compact spaces.
4. Prep your stress away
Preparing for a stress-free Thanksgiving doesn’t just involve your kitchen. It’s about your well-being too. You need to ensure you’re in the best shape to handle the holiday. Part of that preparation involves relaxing and unwinding before the big day.
Imagine soaking in a warm, comforting bath. Feel the tension melt away as you soak and unwind. Allow yourself to disconnect from the chaos for a while. This time is crucial for a stress-free Thanksgiving.
Perhaps you prefer a walk. The crisp, autumn air is invigorating. Walking offers you a chance to disconnect, to breathe. As you walk, let your mind wander, let it rest. This break is a part of your stress-free Thanksgiving plan.
Or consider meditation. It’s not as complex as you might think. It’s about finding a quiet moment, about stillness. In fact, it’s a tool you can use for a stress-free Thanksgiving.
Let’s not forget the essence of a good night’s sleep. Adequate sleep ensures you’re rested and ready for your stress-free Thanksgiving.
You might be tempted to skip these relaxation steps. After all, there’s so much to do. But don’t. A stress-free Thanksgiving is more than just a well-cooked meal.
Your family and friends will notice the difference. They’ll see not just a well-prepared feast, but a relaxed, stress-free host. Your stress-free Thanksgiving then becomes a wonderful, relaxing day for everyone.
So when planning for the holiday, remember you. Set aside time for these activities. This self-care is a crucial part of the preparation. It’s as important as the turkey, the stuffing, and the pumpkin pie.
In the end, a stress-free Thanksgiving is not just about the food. It’s also about you being at your best. It’s about enjoying the day as much as everyone else. After all, isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about?
5. Set the Mood
Sometimes having extended family and friends all together can create a lot stress. It is important to set the mood in your home. A calming atmosphere can help you enjoy the evening more. Not only for you but for your guests as well.
Here are some tips:
Turn up the music
Listening to your favorite tunes is a great way to get into the Thanksgiving spirit and keep stress at bay. Whether you prefer calming classical music or upbeat pop songs, put on something that makes you feel good and helps you power through any tough tasks that come up. You can also put together a playlist of Thanksgiving themed songs for your guests to set the mood.
Dim the lights.
It will create a more relaxing environment and help you focus on what’s important.
Add scents
There are many different scents that can help you relax, but some work better than others. Lavender is a great scent to use because it is known for its calming effects. It can help you relax your body and mind, which can make your Thanksgiving dinner less stressful. Jasmine is another great scent to use because it has a calming effect on the mind and body. It can help you feel more relaxed and stress free.
Play a movie
Playing a holiday movie can help reduce stress on Thanksgiving day. It can provide a distraction from the tasks at hand and create a more relaxed atmosphere. This will also help occupy some of your guests, especially the kids.
6. Eat!
There is nothing worse than being hangry when you have a house full of company while cooking a full course Thanksgiving diner. When you’re famished, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out. It’s important to eat breakfast before Thanksgiving dinner.
When you are planning out your prep list for the day include breakfast and/or snacks for yourself and the other cooks. If there is local bakery nearby, I would suggest pre-ordering some some muffins or quiche for Thanksgiving morning. That way your have breakfast covered without having to spend more time cooking.
7. Set up an appetizer and drink bar for your guests
It’s always a good idea to have some snacks and drinks nearby for your guests. This could be something simple like fresh fruit, cheese and nuts, or something more elaborate like homemade cookies or candy.
Having an appetizer and drink bar for your guests will help you have a stress free thanksgiving. By having all of the supplies out and ready to go, your guests can help themselves and you won’t have to worry about preparing anything else.
Tip: Set up this bar in your living area. This will keep your guests out of the kitchen and out of your way while you are finishing dinner.
Essential Items for Setting Up an Appetizer and Drink Bar for a Stress Free Thanksgiving
- Assorted Cheeses: A selection of cheeses, including both hard and soft varieties, are a must-have for any appetizer bar. Think cheddar, gouda, or brie.
- Charcuterie: Add an assortment of cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni to pair with the cheeses.
- Crackers and Bread: Ensure a variety of textures and flavors by including whole grain crackers, baguette slices, and gluten-free options if needed.
- Fresh and Dried Fruit: Grapes, apple slices, dried apricots, and figs provide a sweet balance to the savory items.
- Nuts and Olives: Almonds, cashews, and an assortment of olives can add another layer of flavor and texture to your appetizer bar.
- Drinks: Stock your drinks bar with a variety of beverages. Include options like wine, beer, a signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic choices like flavored water, soda, or a festive punch.
- Drinkware and Serving Utensils: Don’t forget necessary items like wine glasses, cocktail napkins, small plates, cheese knives, and serving spoons. Make sure you have enough for all of your guests.
Click HERE to shop for supplies for your drink and appetizer station.
8.Don’t be afraid to use paper
There is so much pressure to have your Thanksgiving table set with beautiful dishware, glasses, fall décor and the perfect centerpiece. But don’t be afraid to skip the expensive family china and use paper instead. This is a great way to reduce stress on Thanksgiving. This includes using disposable plates, cups, and utensils. Not only does this make cleanup a breeze, but it also means that you don’t have to worry about washing dishes afterwards.
Click HERE to shop for Thanksgiving-themed paper products.
9.Have activities planned out for the kids
If you have kids, you know that keeping them occupied can be a challenge during big family gatherings. But it’s important to keep them busy, especially if you want to enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner without stress. Here are some activities that will keep your kids occupied and stress free:
– Have a coloring table set up with Thanksgiving-themed coloring pages and crayons
– Play Thanksgiving-themed games like scavenger hunt, guessing game of foods, charades, etc.
– Make a craft project to do together, such as creating paper turkeys or Pilgrim hats
– Bake sugar cookies and have them decorate them
-Plan movie time for them after dinner
With these fun and age-appropriate activities planned out for the kids, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your stress free Thanksgiving dinner!
10. Keep things in perspective
Before you know it, Thanksgiving will be over and it will just be one more day on the calendar. If you feel stress starting to take over, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that stress is only temporary. Remind yourself that even though the Thanksgiving chaos might be intense right now, it will all be over soon and you will be able to enjoy your holiday! make sure you take a moment to pause and be thankful for the amazing people in your life, and all of the blessings that surround you each and every day. Happy Thanksgiving!
Conclusion
Whether you’re hosting a small family gathering or a big holiday party, having a stress free Thanksgiving is easier than you think. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your meal without any worries or stress. So relax, take a deep breath, and savor every moment of this special time with your loved ones! Happy Thanksgiving.
