The Secret to Hosting Thanksgiving (and Still Enjoying It)

If thinking about hosting Thanksgiving sends you into a full-blown panic, we’ve got great news: the best gatherings don’t start with a perfect turkey or a magazine-worthy table—they start with a plan that lets you actually enjoy the day. The secret to hosting Thanksgiving (and still enjoying it) isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing things smarter. A little preparation and a lot of perspective turn the holiday from stressful to special, freeing you up to laugh, linger, and have that second slice of pie.

No one embodies that spirit better than Allrecipes Allstar Kelsey Riley. Known to her 2.2 million followers as @plantedinthekitchen, Riley has mastered the art of planning with purpose, balancing her love of cooking with life as a mom to her 14-month-old daughter, Annie. Her calm and organized approach to hosting makes space for connection. From labeling her gravy to queuing her playlist, Kelsey proves that thoughtful preparation doesn’t just make hosting easier; it makes it more joyful.

This Thanksgiving, she’s showing us how to prep smarter, host calmer, and still make the kind of meal people talk about all year long. From her make-ahead apple cider gravy to smart leftover solutions, Riley’s hosting style blends planning and heart—a reminder that a little preparation creates room for what matters most: good food, better company, and time to actually enjoy it.

Sometimes the easiest way to make Thanksgiving feel effortless is to stick with what you know and love. Family recipes simplify the holiday not just because they’re tried and true, but because they come with comfort built right in. These are the dishes you don’t need to test or tweak—you could make them from memory, maybe even with a little help from the next generation.

From a Depression-era stuffing that proves resourcefulness never goes out of style to a cranberry bread from the back of a bag, these are the traditions that keep Thanksgiving grounded in what really matters.

The best sides don’t just fill the table—they take a little pressure off the cook. These recipes show how small shortcuts and simple flavors can still deliver that big, cozy Thanksgiving feeling. From buttery baked onions that taste like comfort in a casserole dish to a mac-and-cheese upgrade that starts with a store-bought shortcut, these sides make it easy to serve something memorable without overcomplicating the day.

Pie will always have a place at the table, but these bars make a strong case for switching things up. They’re everything you love about pie, only easier to bake, share, and sneak seconds of. With buttery layers that slice clean, travel well, and disappear fast, these bars show how a few smart shortcuts can make the holiday feel effortless—and just as special.

From crowd-pleasing apps to make-ahead mains and shareable sweets, every part of Thanksgiving gets a little easier when you plan with purpose. Because the real secret to hosting isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating space to slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy the people gathered around your table.