Holidays & Entertaining Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Planning Tips Give Thanks Show gratitude this November with Test Kitchen-approved recipes, stylish table settings, and tips for hosting a heartfelt Friendsgiving. By Emily VanSchmus Emily VanSchmus Emily VanSchmus is the assistant digital home editor at Better Homes & Gardens, where she covers home decor, entertaining ideas, and more. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on November 1, 2023 Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, and there's no better way to celebrate than to gather around the table with friends and family. Whether you're hosting a large gathering or attending an intimate Friendsgiving, we've got all the recipes, decorations, and activities you need to make the holiday memorable. To take the pressure off of the year's biggest cooking day, we're sharing our best Thanksgiving menus from the BHG Test Kitchen. These no-fail recipes will help you get the turkey on the table with as little stress as possible. We're also sharing our best harvest-inspired decorating ideas and make-ahead meal prep tips so you can be present with your guests and enjoy the day. Blaine Moats Thanksgiving Menu Ideas to Suit Any and All Taste Preferences Thanksgiving dinner is the star of this holiday. Turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing are classics, of course, but don't limit yourself to a traditional menu. The BHG Test Kitchen has hundreds of Thanksgiving recipes, from tried-and-true favorites (hello, homemade cranberry sauce!) to new sides and desserts that'll give your dinner guests a pleasant surprise. We're sharing our favorite Thanksgiving menus to make cooking a breeze, no matter how many people you're serving. Each menu has a carefully curated selection of appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts to help you put together a complete meal. Choose a traditional Thanksgiving feast, or try something new with Cajun-inspired dishes, soul food favorites, and even recipes for cooking on a budget. Adam Albright Your Guide to Hosting Friendsgiving, From Decor to Dessert Friendsgiving is a newer Thanksgiving tradition that embodies the spirit of gratitude. Since Thanksgiving dinner is often enjoyed with family members, Friendsgiving is an opportunity to give thanks for the other relationships in our lives. Just like with the main event, there's no right or wrong way to celebrate Friendsgiving. Go all-out with a full dinner menu, or serve apps and drinks for a casual get-together. Whether Friendsgiving is a precursor to the main holiday, or it's your primary form of celebration this year, we're sharing our best recipes, decor ideas, and hosting tips. Throw the Ultimate Friendsgiving How to Throw a Fun and Festive Last-Minute Friendsgiving Party Where Did Friendsgiving Come from, and Why Do We Celebrate It? Your Guide to Hosting Friendsgiving from Decor to Desserts Adam Albright 8 Thanksgiving Traditions to Make the Day More Memorable Thanksgiving is such a traditional holiday that it's easy to get stuck in our ways. And while the classic methods of giving thanks—such as going around the dinner table saying what you're thankful for—are sweet ways to show gratitude, there are plenty of other traditions you can incorporate into your celebration this year. Start a gratitude jar that your household can add to in the weeks leading up to the holiday, then read each entry at the big meal. Or start a new tradition of sending Thanksgiving greeting cards to loved ones you don't see as often. Use one (or all!) of these new ideas to add an extra dose of thankfulness to your holiday season. Blaine Moats Our Best Thanksgiving Recipes to Impress Your Guests From mashed potatoes and gravy to all kinds of pie, Thanksgiving is all about the food. To help you prepare for the holiday, we're sharing our best Thanksgiving recipes—all tested and perfected by the BHG Test Kitchen. Learn how to perfectly cook a turkey and get our best classic side dish recipes. We're also sharing plenty of make-ahead recipes, so you don't have to spend the entire holiday in the kitchen. With make-ahead potatoes, casseroles, and desserts, all you'll need to do day-of is put the turkey in the oven! Thanksgiving Day Staples The Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes From Classic to Creative Our 25 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes Make Menu-Planning Easy Our Best Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes to Help You Stress Less on Turkey Day Our Best Mashed Potato Recipes Would Make Any Grandma Proud Our Best Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes, From Classic to Creative 1 of 2 Stephen Kent Johnson 31 Harvest Decorating Ideas Featuring the Bounty of the Season Since Thanksgiving falls during peak fall decorating season, you don't need to spend too much time decorating on the day of the holiday. Put away any spooky Halloween decorations and let your pretty pumpkins, leaves, and other autumn-inspired decor pieces steal the show. If you're looking to add a few new decorations, consider our favorite harvest-inspired decorating ideas to help you deck the halls—and your dinner table—with gorgeous decor. Marty Baldwin Beautiful Centerpiece Ideas for Your Thanksgiving Table Food isn't the only thing we're serving up this year! Make the holiday feel extra special by setting the table for the occasion. Learn how to properly set a table—including which silverware to put where—and get our best table styling ideas for every aesthetic. These Thanksgiving centerpieces will rival the turkey for the focal point of the holiday dinner table. Seasonal Centerpiece Ideas How to Style a Modern Table with Classic China Patterns How to Properly Set a Table for Thanksgiving Dinner 24 Thanksgiving Napkin Ideas to Match Every Table Motif Karla Conrad How to Remove Thanksgiving Day Stains from Clothes and Upholstery With so many hands passing delicious side dishes around the table, spills are bound to happen. Luckily, there are easy ways to remove stains from clothing and upholstery. And by preparing for potential spills ahead of time, you can quickly address them and get back to celebrating with your guests. Jacob Fox 16 Thanksgiving Pie Recipes Worthy of Your Holiday Feast Turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole are iconic Thanksgiving recipes, but the meal isn't complete until dessert has been served. Follow up your savory side dishes with a delicious homemade pie (or two!). From classics like apple, pecan, and pumpkin to unexpected flavors like gingersnap, snickerdoodle, and lemon, these pie recipes will be the star of your Thanksgiving menu. Bring on Dessert Our 16 Best Apple Pies and Tarts That Would Make Grandma Proud Cute Thanksgiving Desserts to Serve Alongside the Pie This Year 15 Decadent Chocolate Thanksgiving Desserts to Add to Your Spread 27 Pumpkin Pie Recipes to Make for Thanksgiving 1 of 2 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit