Use our free Thanksgiving planner maker to create custom planners to help you plan Thanksgiving dinner. You select the background and the contents of your planner. For example, if you want to make a Thanksgiving menu planner, you can add the menu, shopping list, and to-do list for however far in advance you want to start preparing.
If you want a blank Thanksgiving meal planner with no extras then delete the background, don’t include a grocery list, and keep it simple.
We offer many free Thanksgiving printables to add an extra touch to your dinner table such as placemats for the kids, custom place cards for guests, a menu for the table, and a planner to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Thanksgiving Planner
Here are some sample Thanksgiving planners created with the planner maker. You can edit the text, change the border and change the inserts.
Printable Thanksgiving Menu
If you want to place a menu on your Thanksgiving dinner table then select any background. Add a title and then type out your menu. You can make one printable menu for the table or print a few small copies and put one on each plate. These are two sample menus but there are many different designs available.
Thanksgiving Grocery List Template
How to Make a Thanksgiving Grocery List Template
- Open the app by clicking on the button above.
- Either use one of the ready-made templates or create your own. The ready-made templates include a blank grocery list template. You can also add a grocery list with groceries from various categories. To add this, click on “planner inserts” and then select the food / grocery category. Select the grocery list that suits your needs (generic, vegetarian, vegan, diet, healthy food, etc).
- You can add as many planner inserts as you wish. For example, you can add your menu, a grocery list, a to-do list, and even an hourly cooking schedule.
Thanksgiving Potluck Sign-Up Sheet
Word | Editable PDF | Image
Word | Editable PDF | Image
Thanksgiving Placemats for Kids
These DIY Thanksgiving placemats to color will keep your kids busy during Thanksgiving dinner. There are four different designs with coloring pictures, a Thanksgiving word search and a list of things to be grateful for. Put one or more placemats on each child’s place with a small box of crayons.
Gratitude List
Use our free gratitude list maker to make a Thanksgiving gratitude list. You can select any background and change the list insert. You can also edit the text and add more text.
Guest List
Thanksgiving Place Cards
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be very stressful. However, it doesn’t have to be if you plan ahead. Our free printable Thanksgiving planner will enable you to host an impressive meal with minimum preparation and fuss.
1 Month Before
- Finalize your guest Start your preparations by finalizing your guest list. Think about how many people you want to invite and how many you can accommodate comfortably.
3 Weeks Before
- Contact all the people on your guest list to invite them. Don’t forget to ask about dietary preferences or allergies. Check if anyone is planning to stay overnight. If they are, inquire about their arrival times.
- If you are planning a potluck Thanksgiving meal then see our free printable Potluck Thanksgiving sign-up sheet.
- Plan Your Menu. Use our free printable Thanksgiving menu planner to plan your menu. Decide which turkey recipe you will use and which side dishes you will prepare.
- Make a Shopping List. Once your menu is ready, make a shopping list accordingly. Go over each recipe and check the ingredients. List all the ingredients you don’t have and will need to purchase. Distinguish between perishables and non-perishables. That way you can shop ahead for the non-perishables. This will save time when stores are more crowded and you have less time.
- Order Your Turkey. If you are going to order a fresh turkey then now is a good time to order it. The general rule is approximately 1.5 pounds per person (this should leave you with leftovers).
Two Weeks Before
- Are any of your guests bringing any dishes? Let them know how many people will be attending and if they have any allergies or dietary restrictions.
- Plan your décor and add anything you will need to your Thanksgiving shopping list. If you want to order flowers then now is a good time to order them. If you prefer another centerpiece that you don’t already own then add that to your shopping list.
- Make a to-do list and list everything that must get done prior to Thanksgiving. If other people are helping out make a note of that. If you want to check on them then mark it on the calendar so you don’t forget to remind them.
- Make sure you have enough plates, glasses, tables, and chairs for your guests. If you are short of anything then add it to your to-do list.
- Check if your tablecloths and cloth napkins need to be washed or ironed.
- Clean out your freezer. Try to clear out as much space as possible if your freezer is as packed as mine is. This will enable you to cook ahead and freeze as much as possible. So, start using up whatever you can. It’s a great opportunity to use up what you have and get rid of your older frozen food.
- Pre-make a pie that can be made ahead of time. Let it cool and then freeze.
- Prepare applesauce and cranberry sauce. Let them cool and then freeze.
- Purchase all non-perishables, drinks, serving dishes, and décor (if required). If you want to purchase containers for leftovers then do so now too.
- Freeze homemade stock. Homemade stock will upgrade your gravy. It’s a hassle to make last-minute but the good news is that it freezes really well. When your stock is ready, cool it then freeze it.
One Week Before
- Go Grocery Shopping. Take your grocery list with you and go shopping. If there is anything that you will need to buy closer to the time then make a list. If you ordered a turkey then pick it up. If you didn’t then buy a frozen one.
- Prepare a seating plan and make place cards.
- Take the weekly schedule for the week before Thanksgiving and write down what you need to do each day.
- Make a printable Thanksgiving menu for the table.
- Make printable Thanksgiving placemats for the kids. Buy a small box of crayons or markers for each child.
Three Days Before
- Defrost your turkey. If it is really big you might even need to do this four days before.
- Buy perishable ingredients and all items on your last-minute shopping list.
Two Days Before
- If you didn’t freeze a pie and sauces then make them today. If you did prepare in advance and freeze then move them to the fridge to defrost.
- Clean your home.
One Day Before
- Transfer the pie and sauces to the refrigerator to defrost.
- Make all dishes that will reheat well.
- Put all beverages in the fridge to chill.
- Set the table. Put one or more Thanksgiving placemats on each child’s place with a small box of crayons.
Thanksgiving Day
- Make all dishes that have not yet been prepared.
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