Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays, but there is a lot to keep track of before everyone gathers around the table. Between planning the menu, shopping, cooking, and figuring out what needs to go in the oven when, having a plan makes a big difference.
We put together these free Thanksgiving printables to make the week a little easier. They include a Thanksgiving menu planner, shopping list, cooking schedule, guest list, and leftover tags you can print and use as you plan.
Use the planner to organize everything ahead of time, then keep the cooking schedule nearby on Thanksgiving Day so you know what needs to happen next.
Scroll down to download all of the free Thanksgiving printables.
Thanksgiving Menu Planner + Shopping List
Planning the menu early is one of the easiest ways to make Thanksgiving week more manageable. Our printable planner gives you one place to keep track of your guest count, menu, food assignments, extras, and shopping list.
Start planning earlier in November so you have plenty of time to shop and can pick up pantry and freezer items before the busiest week.
What to Buy Early
A little early shopping can make Thanksgiving week much easier. Start with anything that stores well so you can save the fresh items for closer to the holiday.
BUY EARLY
- Turkey or Ham. Pick up frozen meats early so you have plenty of time to thaw them safely.
- Frozen Vegetables. Great for casseroles, sides, and easy last-minute backups.
- Hash Browns. Grab these early if potato casseroles are on the menu.
- Canned Goods. Stock up on broth, soups, pumpkin, cranberry sauce, and other pantry staples.
- Baking Ingredients. Flour, sugar, chocolate chips, nuts, spices, and other baking basics can all be purchased ahead.
- Crackers + Snacks. These keep well and are easy to have ready for appetizers and grazing.
- Drinks. Buy soda, juice, sparkling drinks, and juice concentrates early.
- Candy + Treats. Pick up anything you plan to set out for guests before the busy week begins.
BUY CLOSER TO THANKSGIVING
Save the more perishable items for the final grocery trip so they are fresh when you need them.
- Fresh Produce. Pick up vegetables, fruit, and salad ingredients a few days before Thanksgiving.
- Dairy. Buy milk, cream, sour cream, butter, and eggs closer to the holiday if needed.
- Cheese. Grab fresh cheese for appetizers, casseroles, and cheese boards during your final shopping trip.
- Fresh Herbs. Buy herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley, and sage a few days before cooking.
- Bakery Items. Pick up fresh rolls, bread, and any bakery desserts as close to serving day as possible.
Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule + Guest List
Print or save your recipes the week before Thanksgiving and use them to finish your shopping list. Then, over the weekend, write out your cooking schedule based on what can be made ahead and what needs to be cooked on Thanksgiving Day.
Choose the version that works for you: We included one cooking schedule with times and another blank version so you can build your own timeline.
NOTE: We have prints that have times listed as well as another with no times listed. 😉
Kristyn’s Top Thanksgiving Tip
- Spread out the cooking. Choose dishes that use different appliances so everything does not need the oven at the same time. We like to mix oven recipes with stovetop, slow cooker, and Instant Pot dishes whenever we can.
- If family members are bringing food, think about how each dish needs to be cooked or reheated before making assignments. This helps keep one person, or one oven, from being responsible for everything at once.
Thanksgiving Leftover Tags
Thanksgiving leftovers are one of the best parts of the holiday! These printable leftover tags make it easy to send a little extra food home with family and friends.
Print and cut them out before dinner, then attach them to take-home containers so guests can pack up turkey, sides, desserts, or whatever they want to enjoy later.
We love having these ready ahead of time so cleanup is easier and less food gets left behind.
Download the Free Thanksgiving Printables
Use the links below to download the printables you need for planning, cooking, and sending leftovers home.
- Thanksgiving Menu Planner + Cooking Schedule
- Pumpkin Thanksgiving Leftover Tags
- Turkey Thanksgiving Leftover Tags
Print them ahead of time and keep everything together so they are ready when Thanksgiving week gets busy.
We hope these Thanksgiving printables make planning, shopping, cooking, and hosting a little easier. Having everything written down and ready ahead of time can make such a difference when the week gets busy.
At the end of the day, the best part of Thanksgiving is being together. We hope these printables help you spend less time worrying about the schedule and more time enjoying the people around your table.
Be sure to also check out our Thanksgiving Dinner Guide that can help you pick and plan all the recipes for Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!
Thank you…. It’s so handy
You’re welcome!
For sure using this!
Yay!! Hope it is helpful!
You’re awesome! Thanks so much for these downloads. I wish you and your family a lovely Thanksgiving.
Thank you! Hope yours was wonderful as well!
[email protected] Thank you for your help. Great wat to organize and save time. Truly thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Many blessings
Izzie
Glad I could help! Thank you & Happy Thanksgiving!
This is a lovely and useful idea – replaces lots of hand written notes – LOL. Thank you!
Thanks so much for this helpful post.
What a good idea! Thanks for making it available.
Thank you & you are so welcome 🙂