Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that is as much about preparation as it is about the actual day. I won’t say I’ve perfected the art of Thanksgiving – I still stress out, but I’ve created a to-do list compiled over the years that allows me much relief.

From ensuring your home feels welcoming to organizing your grocery list, the steps you take early can make the big day much more enjoyable. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to clean and shop for early, plus time-saving hacks to help you stay stress-free.

Cleaning

Make Space & Welcome Guests

Start your cleaning early, doing a little bit at a time, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

Two to Three Weeks Out, Deep Clean Key Areas

Kitchen: This is the hub on Thanksgiving Day, so clean it thoroughly. Wipe down all surfaces, clean the fridge out to make space for holiday ingredients, and organize your pantry.
Guest Areas: Dust and vacuum common areas, especially if you’re hosting overnight guests. Get the guest bathroom in order, check stock on toiletries (purchase little travel toiletry items in case someone forgets something), wash and refresh sheets and blankets, and add a seasonal touch with hand towels or decorations.
Dining Room: If your dining room is rarely used, dust, vacuum, and clean up any furniture you’ll be using. Pre-set the table with a runner or centerpiece, if possible.

One Week Out, Tidy & Touch-Ups

Entryway & Living Room: Ensure your main entryway and living spaces are welcoming, clutter-free, and clean. Adding a mat or decorative fall wreath can be an inviting touch.
Dining Table Prep: Clean up silverware, check your plates, and ensure you have enough chairs. If you plan to put out extra seating or tables, now is the time to get them out, set them up, and wipe them clean. Pre-set these with tablecloths and decorations, too.
Fridge Check-Up: With just a week to go, double-check that your fridge and freezer are cleared of unnecessary items. You’ll need every bit of space.
Plan Your Platters: If you host Thanksgiving regularly, you probably know your menu and what platters to use. Get them out. If you have space, lay them out, label them, and ensure you have what you need.

Shopping

Plan Your Menu and Stock Up Early on Essentials

Getting your shopping done early means avoiding the chaotic last-minute rush.

Three to Four Weeks Out: Plan Your Menu

What sides will you make, and what sides will guests bring? How about dessert? Drinks?
Create a list of ingredients for everything you plan to make, from turkey to spice and ice to toothpicks.
Create a guest list so you know how much you’ll need to make.

Two to Three Weeks Out: Non-Perishables & Pantry Staples

Stock up on the following items that won’t spoil:

Canned & Jarred Goods: Pumpkin puree, cranberry sauce, olives, broth and stock.
Frozen Goods: Corn, green beans, broccoli, spinach.
Spices & Herbs: Ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, thyme, rosemary, and sage.
Baking Ingredients: Flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and chocolate chips.
Snacks & Appetizers: Crackers, nuts, and shelf-stable items for pre-dinner appetizers.
Drinks: Water, seltzer, soda, wine, beer, liquor.

One Week Out: Fresh Produce & Dairy

Get vegetables and ingredients you’ll use in the days leading up to Thanksgiving:

Produce: Carrots, onions, celery, potatoes, squash, and other hearty veggies that can last the week.
Dairy: If you have fridge space, you can buy eggs, butter, milk, and cream early.
Bread: If you’re serving bread or rolls, pop them in the freezer and thaw them the night before Thanksgiving.
Cider for the kiddos.

Three Days Out: Final Fresh Ingredients

This is your time to pick up items that need to be the freshest:

Greens & Salad Ingredients: If you’re serving salad, grab greens, tomatoes, or other tender vegetables.
Turkey: If you have a fresh turkey on order, now’s the time to pick it up (especially for marinating). For frozen turkeys, be sure to have them thaw well in advance (up to three days for a larger bird).
Fruit: Apples for pies, berries for garnish.
Fresh Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, sage. Rosemary makes a lovely decoration on plates.
Any last-minute ingredients.

Time-Saving Hacks for a Relaxed Thanksgiving

Many little hacks can help you save time (and your sanity) on Thanksgiving. Here are some of mine:

Plan Your Menu Early and Stick to It (and embrace whatever someone brings)

Finalizing your menu early allows you to prepare in phases. List each recipe and its ingredients, and use this to structure your shopping list. The hack is to have a few good dishes that can be prepped or made beforehand.

Prep Ahead of Time

Casseroles/Lasagnas/Baked Dishes: These can be assembled the day before and popped in the oven on Thanksgiving. An overnight in the fridge often allows the seasoning to marinate, and the dish will taste even better.
Gravy: Gravy can be made ahead and refrigerated or even frozen. Reheat it just before serving, adding turkey drippings to enrich the flavor.
Pie Crusts: If baking pies, prepare the crusts early and freeze them, or even assemble the whole pie if it freezes well.
Chop Veggies: Pre-chop onions, celery, carrots, and other veggies and store them in airtight containers. This way, you can quickly grab them as you cook.
Make Salad Dressing and Dips: These can be stored in the fridge, so get them done early.
Make Ice: Start bagging ice, if you need it for drinks, especially if you don’t have an ice maker.
Plan Your Day: Knowing when to cook things and planning them out will save the day. If the turkey takes four hours, when can you bake the casserole? How about the rolls? How long do the mashed potatoes take? What burners are available, and what can be kept warm elsewhere to free up space? I list out every item on the menu and it’s cooking needs to plan out the whole day.

Set Up Stations

Drink Station: Set up a self-serve drink station with glasses, ice, wine, and other beverages. It’ll allow guests to help themselves, freeing up your time.
Appetizer Station: Put out a small cheese board or a few dips with veggies. Mixed nuts go a long way, too. Setting this up early will keep guests occupied while you’re wrapping up cooking.

Use Your Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, Toaster Oven, and Hot Plates

On the big day, your oven and stovetop will be working overtime. To ease the pressure on other appliances, use your slow cooker, Instant Pot, toaster oven, and hot plates (I highly recommend purchasing one or two if you host often) for dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, squashes, and roasted veggies—the list is limitless. The hot plates can be tucked into corners, set on low, to keep things warm, while the stove top does the hard work. Toaster ovens can also be used to cook or warm up bread or rolls.

Enlist Help (Really!)

Thanksgiving is a group affair! Assign small tasks to family members, like arranging the appetizer table, mixing drinks, or clearing dishes. Guests are usually happy to help, especially if they get a specific, manageable task.

Final Day Checklist

It’s game day, the morning of Thanksgiving; here’s how to make sure everything goes off without a hitch:

Turkey Prep: Start prepping the turkey early if it needs to bake for several hours (see my instructions for deep frying a turkey to make life even easier).
Reheat Make-Ahead Dishes: If you’ve made casseroles or gravy ahead of time, start reheating as you go. Take deep dishes out of the fridge for up to an hour before reheating to “thaw” them.
Set the Table in the Morning: If you haven’t already (I recommend doing this the night before), set the table and arrange the serving dishes.
Freshen Up: Quickly clean up any high-traffic areas before guests arrive.
If you have pets, get them exercised, set up a safe area, and make sure they’re ready.
Light candles, start the fire or turn on holiday lights and music to set the mood (yours and the day’s).

Bonus Hacks for a Truly Stress-Free Thanksgiving

Use Disposable Pans: Disposable pans are your friend for baked dishes or veggies. They save you dishwashing time.
Label Your Serving Dishes: Go through each dish you’re serving and label each with a sticky note so you know exactly where everything will go. This way, you won’t have to scramble for the right dish at the last minute. Include serving utensils.
Plan for Leftovers: Stock up on containers for leftovers. There are many options for inexpensive to-go containers, too. This allows guests to take food home, which helps clear out your fridge and avoids waste.

Hosting Thanksgiving can be one of the most memorable holidays when the preparations are taken care of ahead of time. By tackling the shopping, cleaning, and meal prep early, you’ll have the space and energy to enjoy the day. Take it from an over-thinker, to-do nut – creating the list and getting as much as possible done early is a game-changer.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Back To Top

Early Prep Guide for a Smooth Thanksgiving: Cleaning, Shopping & Time-Saving Hacks