TABLE TALK VOL 22

Your Complete Thanksgiving Hosting Checklist: From Planning to Styling

Whether it’s your first time hosting Thanksgiving or you’ve done it a dozen times, the key to a stress-free holiday is simple: plan early, design thoughtfully, and enjoy every bite (and laugh!) along the way.

If you followed our first two guides First Time Hosting Thanksgiving? Here’s Ideas to Help You Plan the Best Thanksgiving Dinner Ever, and How to Create a Fall Season-Inspired Dinner Table Look—this post will tie everything together. Think of it as your quick recap/checklist to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

Let’s walk through each phase of hosting, from prep to presentation, so you can actually savor Thanksgiving this year. 

1. Two Weeks Before: Plan Like a Pro

This is your prep window, your chance to map out the details before the holiday rush begins.

Checklist:

• Finalize your guest list and follow up with any guests that haven't confirmed yet.
• Plan your menu (and confirm any dietary needs). Break down your recipes and what each dish and drink will need. Then take inventory of what you already have at home and make a list of what you'll need to purchase.
• Delegate—ask guests to bring side dishes, dessert, or drinks. Remember, only delegate items that are not a menu priority. We don't need appetizers showing up when you're already serving dessert or the mac and cheese not showing up at all. Side eye 🤨, we all have that a few of those in our friend and family circle.
• Take inventory of tableware, serving dishes, and linens. Nothing worse than pulling dishes out the day of an event to find out you're missing pieces or they're damaged.
• Order any décor or flowers you’ll need. There are weddings, Thanksgiving dinners, corporate banquets, etc, all happening this time of year. Don't wait to order centerpieces, or they may be sold out. And now you're stuck with a half-decorated table 😓.

Grace Tip: Create a shared note, Anylist, or Google Doc for your menu and shopping list. It keeps you and your team (and your sanity) organized.

2. One Week Before: Shop + Set the Stage

With your plan in place, it’s time to shop and style.

Checklist:

• Grocery shop for non-perishables and beverages. Start shopping for non-perishable items now (earlier if possible). This will help avoid out-of-stock items as the date gets closer. Besides, who wants to be lugging bags of groceries while fighting the crowds? Certainly, not me!
• Set aside serving pieces and label what each dish will hold. You don't want to get caught on Thanksgiving without enough serving dishes, pitchers, and utensils. 
• Wash and iron or steam press the table linens and napkins, and clean your glass and tableware.
• Arrange your tablescape, do a dry run, test your layout, and centerpiece ideas. Now is the time to make adjustments. If you realize you don't have the linens that you wanted to use, either rework the design to make sure of what you already have, or get out there and get what you need. No one has time for shipping delays and sold-out stores, please and thanks!
• If you plan to use diffusers to fragrance your home, place them in all areas that will be accessible to your guests and open them up. Diffusers can take up to 3 days for the scent to fully infuse your home.

Grace Tip: Snap a quick photo of your trial tablescape. It’ll save you time on Thanksgiving Day!

3. Three - Five Days Before: Defrost the Turkey

One of the most forgotten and miscalculated Thanksgiving to-dos.

Checklist:

• Check the weight of your turkey. Reminder that the weight of your bird dictates the time it will take to defrost.
• Rule of thumb: 24 hours of defrost time for every 4 - 5 lbs of turkey. 
• Always defrost in the refrigerator.

Grace Tip: Ways to make your turkey moist and juicy...brine, brine, brine! Make your brine the 1-2 days before Thanksgiving, and allow it a few hours to cook down and for the flavors to blend. 

4. Two Days Before: Prep and Pre-Bake

Now it’s about working smarter, not harder.

Checklist:

• Prep side dishes, desserts, and specialty drinks that can be stored ahead of time. Do more ahead of time to have less to do on the day of!
• Clean and chop veggies and herbs, and store them in labeled containers.
• Make sauces, glazes, marinades, and or salad dressings in advance. This not only gives you one less thing to do on Thanksgiving, but it also allows the flavors to develop more intensely. 
• Set out serving utensils and trays

Grace Tip: Write down your cooking schedule, including oven times and temps, so you’re not juggling chaos come Thursday morning.

5. The Day Before: Set and Savor

Time to bring your planning and design together!

Checklist:

• Set the table (your future self will thank you)
• Finish any last-minute shopping
• Chill drinks and arrange your serving area
• Double-check seating and flow around the table
• Clean up and decorate the other areas of your home that will be visible or used, such as the foyer, any bathrooms, and the living room. Set out scented candles so they are ready to light on the day of.

Grace Tip: Add final details to your centerpiece, i.e., fresh flowers, candles, or a simple linen runner.

5. Thanksgiving Day: Enjoy the Celebration

What’s left? Just breathe and be present.

Checklist:

• Prepare dishes according to your previously created timeline.
• Light candles just before guests arrive. If the candles are scented, light them at least 1-2 hours before to allow the fragrance to permeate the rooms. Remember, do not use heavy or intense scents that will compete with the meal being served. The food is the point of the gathering, so let it smell 🤔, sounds weird, but correct.
• Play background music (whatever you and your guests love).
• Have a moment of gratitude before the meal begins. By gratitude, we mean speaking directly to those gathered with you. Express your appreciation for their presence that day and in your life in general. Allow others to share what they are thankful for, be it big or small.

Grace Tip: Hosting is about connection, not perfection. The best memories come from laughter, not flawless plating.

Some Final Thoughts

Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t have to feel overwhelming when you’ve got a plan and a clear vision. From smart prep to beautiful design, you’ve already done the hardest part, which is creating an atmosphere that feels warm, personal, and full of love.

So, this year, set the table, pour the wine (or sparkling cider), and let the day unfold with grace (and maybe a little honey glaze). 

Happy Hosting 💖