When the Host Needs a Holiday: 5 Tips to Actually Enjoy Thanksgiving

Every year leading up to Thanksgiving, our household gets so excited. My husband and I are both educators, so having the whole week off with our daughter feels like a dream — at least in theory.

In my mind, it’s going to be a relaxing week full of cozy mornings. In reality? It’s more like: Monday, clean the house. Tuesday, prep the house again. Wednesday, prep all the food. Thursday, host all the people. Friday and Saturday, clean up all the things. Sunday, question my life choices — then back to work.

Somewhere between the grocery store runs and the turkey timer, I realized I was so busy creating a great experience for everyone else that I was missing the joy myself.

So, for all my fellow hosts who end Thanksgiving more tired than thankful, here are five tips I am going to try next year (because I'm taking this year off)!

1. Simplify the Menu (and Your Expectations)

You don’t have to cook every dish your grandma ever made. Pick a few favorites and let go of the rest. Remember, no one will notice that the rolls weren’t homemade — unless you tell them (so don’t).

2. Delegate Like a Pro

Guests love to help, even if they don’t know it yet. Assign tasks: someone brings drinks, another handles dessert, and someone else gets dish duty. Hand out jobs like Oprah: “You get the green beans! You get the ice!”

3. Set the Mood, Then Step Back

Light a candle, put on a soft playlist, and dim the lights. Instant ambiance — no centerpiece crisis required. A cozy mood makes everyone feel special, even if the mashed potatoes came from a box.

4. Pause for a Moment of Gratitude

Before diving into dinner, take a minute to breathe and reflect. Say a short prayer or go around the table sharing what everyone’s thankful for. It recenters the day and reminds you what it’s all really about.

5. Schedule Your Own “Leftovers Day”

Block off one day after Thanksgiving to do absolutely nothing. Eat pie for breakfast, wear stretchy pants, and reheat the joy — not just the food. Rest is part of gratitude too.

Final Thought

Hosting is an act of love — but even love needs a nap. This year, give yourself permission to slow down, laugh at the chaos, and savor the moments that matter most. After all, the best memories are rarely the ones that went perfectly… they’re the ones where you remembered to laugh, breathe, and pass the rolls.

Do you have tips for making holiday hosting less stressful? Comment below!