How to Simplify Thanksgiving (and Actually Enjoy It)

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We all know the holidays can be stressful. The gifts, the family, the travel. It’s a lot. Even when we want to enjoy the season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the to-dos and traditions we feel obligated to uphold.

But what if we gave ourselves permission to do things differently?

What if we intentionally simplified the holiday season (cutting back on spending, saying no to extra travel, and streamlining our celebrations) so we could actually enjoy them again?

One of the biggest sources of holiday stress is the meal itself. The prepping, cooking, and cleaning… it takes a lot of time and energy. If you’ve ever missed half the fun because you were stuck in the kitchen, you’re not alone.

Here’s how I simplify Thanksgiving (though this works for Christmas and other holiday meals too!) and make space for more peace, connection, and maybe even a nap after dessert.

Step 1: Plan the Meal (Early!)

Planning your meal ahead of time is one of the best ways to reduce stress.

Start a few weeks before Thanksgiving by jotting down which dishes you want to make. I use Real Plans because I already subscribe, but you can just as easily use a spreadsheet, notebook, or whatever method works for you.

Once you have your list, make notes:

• Which dishes can be made ahead of time (and how far ahead)
  
• Which need to be cooked right before serving (like the turkey)
  
• Which dishes can go in the oven at the same time
  

In Real Plans, I schedule things like cranberry sauce on Monday or Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, while the turkey and mashed potatoes are slotted in for Thanksgiving Day. It helps me see exactly what needs to happen, and when.

Since we eat mostly paleo, I have a running list of my favorite paleo Thanksgiving recipes. These are recipes I’ve tried and love.

Step 2: Simplify the Menu

Start with your main dish (turkey or something else) and build a few sides around it.

Here’s a little trick I use: think in colors.

• One green veggie (like green beans or broccoli)
  
• One orange veggie (squash, carrots, or sweet potatoes)
  
• One white (mashed potatoes, rice, or bread)
  
• One red (cranberry sauce, beets, or berry pie)
  

That gives you a well-rounded meal without overthinking it.

One or two desserts are plenty. If you’re tempted to make separate dishes for every single food preference, take a deep breath and let that go.

It’s a running joke in my family that when my mom finds out more guests are coming, she doesn’t double a dish, she just adds another one. It’s generous, but it can be a lot of extra work.

If simplicity is your goal, choose your dishes and stick to them (unless someone has an allergy, of course).

Step 3: Choose Simple Recipes

Choose dishes with fewer ingredients and fewer steps. You can even take recipes you already love and simplify them.

• If a stuffing recipe calls for garlic, shallots, and onions, just use one or two.
  
• If it includes four types of fresh herbs, try using a dry Italian herb blend with a little fresh sage.
  
• Skip any extra steps that don’t really impact the final flavor.
  

Simple doesn’t mean boring. It means less frazzled, more fun. Sometimes the extra step is worth it. Other times? Totally skippable.

Step 4: Make What You Can Ahead of Time

Anything you can prep ahead will save you stress the day of.

Some easy make-ahead ideas:

• Desserts – Cookies freeze well, and pies keep for a few days.
  
• Cranberry sauce – This is a great one to do early.
  
• Stuffing, mashed potatoes, casseroles – Many of these can be prepped or fully made a day ahead and reheated.
  

Even little things (like chopping veggies or setting the table) can be done early to free up time later.

Step 5: Delegate!

Most guests want to bring something—so let them!

Ask them to bring:

• A dessert
  
• A side dish
  
• Rolls or drinks
  
• Even the table decorations (especially if someone loves doing that kind of thing)
  

Think about what you enjoy doing, and let go of the rest. If you love cooking but hate baking, hand off the pie. If you enjoy setting a beautiful table but don’t care about drinks, delegate that.

Let people help. Giving guests a job they enjoy makes the day more fun for everyone.

Step 6: Cook Less Food

Yes, leftovers are fun, but cooking a massive meal can also be exhausting.

Try this instead:

• Make just enough for the meal, with a little extra for seconds
  
• Choose a smaller turkey (it cooks faster!)
  
• Pick dishes that can share oven space or be reheated easily
  

You’ll spend less time cooking and more time actually enjoying the holiday.

Step 7: Ask for Help

I mentioned this in step 5, but it’s worth noting again. There’s no rule that mom has to cook Thanksgiving dinner all by herself. Let’s go ahead and break that outdated expectation, shall we?

Ask your family to help, no, expect them to help. Whether that means peeling potatoes, setting the table, or washing dishes afterward, everyone can contribute something.

3 Tools That Make Holiday Meals Easier

Growing up, my dad always gave my mom one of her Christmas presents early. Usually, it was a kitchen gadget meant to make her holiday meal prep easier. And you know what? Those little tools really did help.

Here are three “early gift” items I think are totally worth it:

1. A Coffee Carafe (or Hot Cider Station)

Keep people out of the kitchen by setting up hot drinks somewhere else. An insulated carafe lets guests serve themselves coffee, tea, cocoa, or cider without crowding your cooking space.

2. A Food Thermometer

Those red pop-up buttons in turkeys? Totally unreliable. A digital meat thermometer helps you get perfectly cooked turkey, no more guesswork or dry meat.

3. Pinch Bowls

These little bowls are my favorite kitchen helper. Use them to prep ingredients ahead so you’re not scrambling mid-recipe. Bonus: they keep your counters looking less chaotic.

Remember What It’s All About

Thanksgiving doesn’t need to be a performance.

It can be a simple, joyful meal with the people you love. You don’t need ten side dishes or magazine-worthy table settings. You just need food that tastes good, a warm place to gather, and maybe a slice of pie to finish it off.

Here’s to an easier, slower, sweeter Thanksgiving!

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If you liked these tips, please consider pinning this post to Pinterest or sharing it with a friend. And I’d love to hear from you in the comments—what are your favorite ways to simplify Thanksgiving?