Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be chaos. This year, I pulled off a holiday that felt relaxed, fun, and full of magic. All it took was three tricks: a great partner, smart shortcuts, and a little kid power. Here’s how we did it.
1. Great Partner Energy-
This Thanksgiving ran smooth because I divided & conquered with my husband like a dream duo. We divided tasks based on what we’re good at and conquered communication on sharing exactly what needed to get done, when, and who would handle what. We ALSO managed to mow the front and back yard, clean the pool, and cover it for the season- all before football even started.
2. Smart Shortcuts in the Kitchen
Full transparency: These small shortcuts may included “boxes” but if that meant less stress, more flavor and more time to actually enjoy the day…
Simple dessert upgrade: A boxed yellow-cake mix became a mouthwatering apple-cider-donut bundt. I baked it the night before so it was ready to serve when guests arrived.
Easy bread & sides: I made a quick batch of dinner rolls that proofed overnight in my fridge and used boxed stuffing mix and gracy packets but jazzed them up a bit (with added turkey drippings and extra seasoning) so it tasted homemade.
Prep ahead: I prepped what I could in advance so everything came together easily when dinner time hit. And what HIT was the Turkey! The recipe and the blog from our First Thanksgiving Day Hosting shares it.
3. Kid Power + Fun Entertainment
Want to keep little hands busy and add extra joy? Let them help, child labor! My son, Atlas, turned into my little holiday helper: he helped set the tablescape, carry dishes, and even helped assemble decor. It made him feel like part of the celebration- and honestly, it made the day easier for me too. We also turned parade-watching into a family game (see my Macy’s Parade blog for that) while waiting for the Turkey to cook and so I could prep a few sides.
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving and you want to survive with your sanity and maybe even enjoy it use these tricks. Find your person, make a plan, split the work, and don’t be afraid to cut a few corners that don’t matter. You got this!
XoXo
Britt
