Great Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving

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Learn what Americans traditionally do and eat on Thanksgiving

Co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: November 28, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Planning Thanksgiving Day
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• Cooking the Meal
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• Decorating the Table
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• Top Thanksgiving Traditions & Family Activities
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• Fast Facts
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• Video
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• Expert Interview
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• Expert Q&A
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• Tips

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Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family, expressing gratitude, and eating until you can’t zip up your pants. We’ll cover the best ways to celebrate this American holiday, whether you’re interested in traditional or unique activities. We also spoke with private chef and food educator Ollie George Cigliano for tips on cooking a Thanksgiving feast that’ll impress everyone at the table!

The next Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026 in the United States and Monday, October 12, 2026 in Canada.

What to Do on Thanksgiving Day

Americans usually spend time with their loved ones and share a traditional dinner. Here are other fun and popular activities to celebrate Thanksgiving Day:

• Break a wishbone.
• Watch football games.
• Share what you’re grateful for.
• Play games with your friends and family.
• Volunteer at your local shelter or food bank.
• Tune into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Planning Thanksgiving Day

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1. 
   1
   Invite friends and family members a month in advance. Make a list of people you want to celebrate Thanksgiving with, and send your invitations at least a month in advance, or ideally, 4 to 6 weeks beforehand. This gives them enough time to decide and make plans if they need to travel.

   • For out-of-town guests, sending the invitation earlier is best.
   • You can send an invitation through the mail, shoot them a text, or call them.
   • Send invitations with an RSVP by date to help you get an accurate headcount for food and seating, ask about any allergies or dietary restrictions, and clarify if people can bring a plus-one (or additional guests).

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Ollie George Cigliano is a private chef, food educator, and owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. She has over 20 years of experience mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques.
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   Choose a potluck-style Thanksgiving meal for easier prep. If you’re hosting a large gathering, a potluck-style meal will help shoulder the burden of cooking. Just ask your guests what they plan to contribute so you can make a list and provide the rest of the food. To avoid having multiple people bring the same thing, create a sign-up sheet or ask guests to bring a specific type of dish, such as a salad, drink, or dessert.

   • Generally, the host prepares the turkey for a potluck-style Thanksgiving meal.
   • Make a Google spreadsheet to share what everyone’s bringing, or let guests share their dish on a social app like Partiful.
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   Buy your turkey in advance to ensure availability. You can buy a frozen turkey anytime in October or November, as long as you have space in your freezer. If you’re buying a fresh turkey, buy it no more than 2 days before you plan to cook it. If you’re buying your turkey from a local farm or specialty store, order it 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Place your turkey in the freezer as soon as you get home.

   • Buy a 12-pound (190-ounce) turkey to feed 10 to 15 people.
   • Purchase a 16-pound (260-ounce) turkey for 15 or more people.
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   Make a grocery list and buy key ingredients beforehand. Once you’ve planned your Thanksgiving menu, make a shopping list at least 1 to 2 weeks in advance. Hit the grocery store early to purchase essential ingredients, like butter, stock, spices, heavy cream, wine, and anything else you’ll need for multiple recipes. You can buy fresh ingredients 5 to 7 days in advance, and dry ingredients 1 to 2 weeks in advance.

   • Buying your ingredients early can help you beat the holiday rush and prevent the stress of running to the grocery store at the last minute.
   • Classic Thanksgiving foods include: turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, dinner rolls, cornbread, and pumpkin or pecan pie.
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Section 2 of 5:

Cooking the Thanksgiving Meal

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   Thaw your turkey in advance and roast it on Thanksgiving. “Frozen turkey needs 3 days to thaw in advance,” according to Cigliano. On Thanksgiving morning, preheat your oven to 325 °F (163 °C), and place the turkey in a roasting pan. In a separate bowl, combine ³⁄₄ cup (180 ml) of olive oil, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of dried basil, a 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of sage and salt, and ¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of black pepper. Baste the turkey with the mixture, then pour 2 cups (470 ml) of water into the bottom of the roasting pan.

   • Secure the roasting pan with a lid or 2 sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place the roasting pan in the oven.
   • Bake the turkey for 3.5 hours, or until the thickest part of the thigh reaches an internal temperature of 180 °F (82 °C). Use a meat thermometer to check.
   • Once the turkey is done, remove it from the oven. Cigliano says to “let it rest for 15 minutes to prevent all of the juice from leaving the roast when carving.”
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   Bake a ham. Preheat your oven to 325 °F (163 °C) (or the temperature recommended on the packaging). Place the ham, cut side down, in a baking pan and cover with a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake the ham until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 °F (60 °C). Generally, you bake a fully cooked ham for 10 minutes per pound and a partially cooked ham for 20 minutes per pound.

   • If you want to glaze your ham, score it with a clean, sharp blade before putting it in the oven. “The general technique for scoring is to make small Xs to allow skin to render fat when cooking,” says Cigliano.
   • To make a glaze, combine ¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) of brown sugar and mango chutney, 3 cloves of minced garlic, 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of orange zest, ¹⁄₈ cup (30 ml) of orange juice, and ¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of dijon mustard. Mix the ingredients until well combined, baste the ham with the glaze every 20 minutes in the oven, then remove the foil during the last 5 minutes to let the glaze carmelize.
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   Make the cranberry sauce. Place 12 ounces (0.75 lb) of cranberries in a pot, then add ¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) of sugar and ¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) of balsamic vinegar. Set the stove to medium-high heat, and bring the mixture to a boil for around 8 minutes. Stir 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of nutmeg, cinnamon, cumin, and pepper into the mixture, and reduce the heat to low to simmer the sauce. Stir until it thickens, then add salt to taste. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.

   • Once the sauce is cool, refrigerate it until you’re ready to eat.
   • “For a looser cranberry sauce, serve the sauce warm. If you prefer a thicker (canned-like) consistency, cover and refrigerate overnight so it will gel up,” says Cigliano.
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   Make mashed potatoes. Wash, peel, and chop 8 to 10 potatoes. In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil, then add the potatoes and cook until soft and tender. Remove the pot from the heat and drain the water. Let the potatoes cool for 3 minutes, then use a fork or a masher to mash the potatoes. Finish the potatoes by:

   • Adding ²⁄₃ cup (160 ml) of milk, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter, ¹⁄₄ teaspoon (1.2 ml) black pepper, and salt to taste. Mix the ingredients until well combined.
   • Place the mashed potatoes in a serving dish that can be reheated, then refrigerate. To reheat the mashed potatoes, bake them in a “350 °F (177 °C) oven for approximately 30 to 35 minutes,” recommends Cigliano.
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   Make the stuffing. Cut a stale loaf of white or wheat bread into ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) cubes. Place a large pot on the stove and set it to medium heat. Melt ³⁄₄ cup (180 ml) of butter in the pot, then cook one chopped onion and 4 stalks of chopped celery until soft (about 5 to 8 minutes). Add salt and pepper to taste, stir in the bread cubes and 1 cup (240 ml) of chicken broth. Pour the mixture into a greased casserole dish, then bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 °F (177 °C).

   • Reheat the stuffing in a 350 °F (177 °C) oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
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   Order fresh pies for Thanksgiving Day. Pumpkin, pecan, apple, cherry, and chocolate pies are common Thanksgiving desserts. You can order them at your local bakery or supermarket about 1 to 2 weeks in advance. Pick up your pies 1 to 2 days beforehand and follow the directions on the box to warm them up.

   • Alternatively, make a pumpkin pie or a pecan pie from scratch.
   • Thanksgiving-themed cookies are also popular desserts served on Thanksgiving.
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Section 3 of 5:

Decorating the Thanksgiving Table

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1. 
   Use a natural color palette and a fall-themed centerpiece in your table decoration. Cover the table with a tablecloth or runner, then add your plates, silverware, napkins, and place cards. Layer mini pumpkins, gourds, leaves, branches, pinecones, acorns, and seasonal fruit down the center of the table, and set the mood with warm lighting, such as candles or votives. For the centerpiece, you can make your own with flowers or stick to a classic cornucopia.

   • Place vases and candlesticks on the table to add height and dimension, and get creative with napkin folds or use festive napkin rings.
   • Embrace the holiday season with a rich color palette of oranges, yellows, burgundies, and browns. Feel free to mix metals for a unique look, like copper and chrome.
   • If you don’t have enough room at your dining room table, set up a separate table (or more) in your living room. Alternatively, place pillows around a coffee table for children.

Section 4 of 5:

Top Thanksgiving Traditions & Family Activities

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1. 
   1
   Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Many families watch the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, which takes place in New York City and features giant helium-filled balloons, marching bands, floats, and performances from Broadway musicals. Local news stations like CBS, ABC, and NBC typically broadcast the parade, and it is also broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo.

   • This year, the parade airs from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM (EST) on NBC and Peacock.
2. 
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   Turn on a football game. Watching football on Thanksgiving is a favorite American pastime. Games are typically played throughout the day on local TV channels such as ABC, ESPN, NBC, CBS, and Fox. Spanish-language games are also simulcast on ESPN Deportes, Telemundo, TUDN, and Fox Deportes.

   • The Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions traditionally host Thanksgiving games.
   • Alternatively, organize a backyard football game with family, friends, and neighbors before the big meal.
3. 
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   Share what you’re grateful for. Before the meal is served, friends and family members typically take turns saying what they are thankful for. This is a time to reflect on all the things you are grateful for, including your family, job, coworkers, and other people and things.

   • You could also play the A-to-Z gratitude game. Have everyone go around and express gratitude, according to the letters of the alphabet. For example, the first person could say, “I am thankful for Aunt Sharon’s kindness.”
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   Break a wishbone. Some families break the turkey’s wishbone to celebrate Thanksgiving. After eating the meat, take out the wishbone, which is attached to the breast meat in the turkey’s chest. Let it dry for a little bit, then have 2 people take one end of the bone, make a wish, and then pull. Whoever gets the larger part of the bone is believed to have their wish come true!

   • This tradition comes from the ancient Etruscans, who believed that chickens could predict the future and would stroke dried wishbones for good luck.
5. 
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   Volunteer at a local shelter. Because Thanksgiving is a day of giving and gratitude, many people choose to volunteer at their local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or religious institution. Contact a local shelter in your area to find out what time the festivities will take place.

   • Invite your friends and family members to volunteer with you.
   • If you don’t have time to volunteer, donate clothes or canned goods to your local shelter.
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   Play games with friends and family. Games like Monopoly, Life, Pictionary, and Clue are great ways to spend quality time with your loved ones. Card games, like UNO, and dice games, like Yahtzee, are also popular options.
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   Take a nap or a walk after the meal. Because Thanksgiving is such a big meal, it might leave you (and your guests) tired. It’s totally okay, and even customary, to doze off on the couch for 30 minutes after eating. Other people may choose to walk around the neighborhood instead.
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Section 5 of 5:

Thanksgiving Fast Facts

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1. Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It’s an annual national holiday in the United States to give thanks for the harvests and blessings of the year. Americans believe it is modeled after a 1621 feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. However, modern traditions include large feasts with turkey and pumpkin pie, watching parades and football, and spending time with friends and family. Here are other fun and random facts about Thanksgiving:

   • In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, the U.S. President “pardons” a turkey, or prevents it from being killed. It’s a live, televised event at the White House.
   • Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods, with about 80 million people traveling 50 miles or more for the holiday. Travel delays and heavy road traffic are common.
   • The day after Thanksgiving is known as “Black Friday.” Many stores across the nation have extended business hours and offer deep discounts and special promotions.
   • Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October. This earlier date is due to the country’s colder climate, which means the harvest season ends sooner than in the United States.

Expert Q&A

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• Question

  When should I cook everything for Thanksgiving?

  

  Ollie George Cigliano
  Private Chef & Food Educator

  Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University.

  

  Ollie George Cigliano

  Private Chef & Food Educator

  Expert Answer

  Almost everything can be made ahead of time and warmed the day of, but it's best to cook your turkey on Thanksgiving day.

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• Question

  Do people give gifts for Thanksgiving?

  

  Community Answer

  Typically gifts are not exchanged at thanksgiving, but if you are eating at someone else's house, you may consider bringing a drink or dessert.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  What time do we eat?

  

  Community Answer

  It's really up to you, but I recommend between 5-7 p.m. It depends on the age of the people (a five-year-old shouldn't be eating sugary pumpkin pie later then 6:30) and the size of the meal.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• Choose simple Thanksgiving recipes if this is your first time preparing the Thanksgiving holiday meal.
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• If you have kids, make sure to keep an eye on them, especially if they’re in the kitchen.
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• It’s totally okay to buy pre-made food for your Thanksgiving meal. Not everyone has the time to prepare everything from scratch.
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