Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Get help with these Thanksgiving Tips For The Easiest Holiday. There are recipes, hosting tips, and more.
Plus, if you need more inspiration, check out all of our Thanksgiving posts.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means right now you’re defrosting a turkey, shopping for sides, doing laundry for the guest room, and trying not to pull out your hair.
Take a breath and read our Thanksgiving Tips For The Easiest Holiday here.
And no, the tip isn’t, “Cancel Thanksgiving.” We have faith in you. You can do this.
Thanksgiving Tips For The Easiest Holiday
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We broke this list down into categories to help you solve if your Thanksgiving headache. If you’re only hurting on ideas for apps, check out our Thanksgiving Starters section. If getting ready for your overnight company is your pain point, skip to the Thanksgiving Guests section.
Thanksgiving Starters
If you’re trying to figure out what to serve as Thanksgiving appetizers, start here. We have a few that are very specific to fall and Thanksgiving and then a long list of ones that aren’t.
Pumpkin-Shaped Bagels
The famous two ingredient dough recipe is so incredibly easy … because it’s only two ingredients. You don’t need to let the dough proof or rise before cooking it.
So if you’re looking for a bread to go with a dip you’re already making, or if you’re hopping on the butter boards trend, these Pumpkin-Shaped Bagels are perfect. They’re really cute on your table and taste good too.
Goat Cheese Prosciutto Lingonberry Jam Bruschetta
Cranberries are usually on every Thanksgiving table, but have you tried lingonberries? The Scandinavian berry, colloquially known as a mountain cranberry, are so much better than those canned cranberries.
And, they’re great in this Goat Cheese Prosciutto Lingonberry Jam Bruschetta, which is a great Thanksgiving appetizer. It’s reminiscent of Thanksgiving flavors without actually being Thanksgiving flavors and taking away from the main course.
If you’re looking for more appetizer ideas, we have a huge list of One Bite Appetizers, which are all big hits and recipes we make on a regular basis. So definitely check those out.
Thanksgiving Food
Thanksgiving Side Dish Casserole Ideas
Casseroles as side dishes just make life so much easier. You basically dump everything into a casserole pan, pop it in the oven, and the magic happens.
But you don’t want a plain boring casserole on Thanksgiving. Instead, choose a recipe off our list of Thanksgiving Side Dish Casserole Ideas. You’re sure to find one your guests will love.
Thanksgiving Main Dish Casserole Ideas
Everyone makes turkey for Thanksgiving. Except the people who make ham. And I know, that’s such a heated debate and a hill you’re most likely going to stand on.
But — BUT — what if … hear me out … you served a casserole instead? We have a bunch of Thanksgiving Main Dish Casserole Ideas, which are main courses that are so much easier to make than a full turkey or ham.
Thanksgiving Turkey
How To Deep Fry A Turkey
If you’re feeling adventurous, and you want to deep fry a turkey this year, check out our Tips For Deep Frying A Turkey.
That’s my dad’s new way of choice to cook a turkey, so definitely try it.
Turkey Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
If you want turkey, but don’t want to cook a whole turkey, this Turkey Stuffed Cabbage Rolls is … well, it’s someone’s traditional recipe. I’m not sure whose, to be honest, but I do know I’ve heard it before. So, you could just pretend it’s your family’s recipe passed down from when your Great Aunt Edna started cooking for the family.
We have a bunch of other turkey recipes that don’t involve cooking a whole turkey, like our Turkey Club Hawaiian Roll Sliders, in case you want a more casual Thanksgiving.
Check out all of our turkey recipes for some inspiration for Thanksgiving alternatives to a full turkey.
Thanksgiving Desserts
No Bake Thanksgiving Nutter Butter Acorns
If you want an adorable dessert for Thanksgiving, these No Bake Nutter Butter Acorns are perfect. They’re really cute and they’re so simple to make. What more could you want in a Thanksgiving dessert?
Thanksgiving Blessing Mix
This Thanksgiving Blessing Mix is a little more of a snack than a dessert, but it fits here. It’s filled with a Thanksgiving trail mix where each item has something to do with the story of Thanksgiving.
Pete’s class, when he was still working at a school, made these for everyone at their Thanksgiving feast and it was so sweet.
Thanksgiving Crafts
DIY Toilet Paper Roll Turkey Craft
If you’re looking for a fun craft, to either do while you’re waiting for the turkey to be ready or to make before Thanksgiving to use as decorations, this DIY Toilet Paper Roll Turkey Craft is perfect.
Now, I will say, if you’re using these on a table or as place settings, you should use craft rolls rather than toilet paper rolls. But that’s up to you.
Free Printable Turkey Thanksgiving Place Cards
If you’re looking for a way to keep your youngest Thanksgiving guests happy while they’re waiting for the turkey to cook (or while the adults are watching football), our Free Printable Turkey Thanksgiving Place Cards are great.
They’re coloring pages that double as Thanksgiving place cards.
Thanksgiving Guests
What You Need For When Guests Visit
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, you want to make sure that you have everything your guests could possibly need. The last thing you want is to run out of toilet paper when all the stores are closed. So check out this post, with What You Need For When Guests Visit, to make sure you have all the essentials.
10+ Essentials For Overnight Guests
If your dinner guests are staying overnight, or for the weekend, you want to make sure your guest bathroom and bedroom are ready for them.
Check out our list of 10+ Essentials For Overnight Guests to assure you don’t forget anything.
7 Ways To Prepare For Unexpected Guests
Our friends have a habit of just swinging by on Thanksgiving. That’s great, but it’s not great if you’re not prepared for company.
Always be closing. And always be prepared for guests to drop by after you check out our post with 7 Ways To Prepare For Unexpected Guests.
Saving On Thanksgiving Essentials
For the last three years, the money saving app Ibotta has given its users a free Thanksgiving dinner. This year was no exception. Users got a free turkey (up to $14), cranberry sauce, cornbread mix, brown gravy, and mashed potatoes.
It’s too late to sign up for the app and get the free turkey for 2022, but you can still sign up for free and you should still get the free sides.
Ordering Thanksgiving Dinner
If you don’t feel like cooking Thanksgiving, technology has really caught up to society, so you’re in luck. You can just order Thanksgiving from the following places:
Be sure to check the delivery service’s deadline for placing Thanksgiving orders before you order.