A Thanksgiving Hosting Guide for People Who Don’t Need the Stress

Gratitude, Chaos & The Art of Hosting Anyway

Thanksgiving: the one day a year when we collectively agree to ignore our differences and focus on the real issues: apple or pumpkin pie, whether the turkey will be dry, and if marshmallows belong on top of sweet potatoes.

Whether you’re hosting a casual Friendsgiving or orchestrating a multi-generational family feast this guide is your permission slip to chill. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart. You just have to make it to dessert with your sanity (and your favorite wine glass) intact.

At She’s Got Issues, we believe in hosting with a healthy dose of imperfection. Because the truth is: no one remembers if your napkins matched. They remember the laughter, the inside jokes and the childhood story someone absolutely did not need to retell.

So pour a drink, light a candle, and let’s make Thanksgiving a little less stressful—and a lot more fun.

Cocktails That Keep You Calm and Charming

Thanksgiving rule number one: every great host deserves a great cocktail.

The right drink sets the tone for the evening — festive, flavorful and perfectly balanced. A good batch cocktail lets you pour, mingle and actually enjoy your own party instead of being stuck behind the bar. These recipes bring all the seasonal sparkle with none of the stress.

The Dysfunctional Family Spritz
Cranberry juice, See the Elephant Amaro liqueur and sparkling Prosecco. Tart, sweet and the perfect amount of bitter to help you respond to those awkward dinner questions. Garnish with fresh cranberries for instant holiday sparkle.

The Thankful Tequila Smash

A bright, seasonal twist on a classic margarita. Blend tequila with muddled blackberries, fresh lime, and a drizzle of honey for a drink that’s festive, refreshing, and perfect for keeping the Thanksgiving energy high from first toast to dessert. Try it with our new favorite tequila.

Mocktail Moment
We recently found Something & Nothing premium sodas that taste like craft cocktails—all celebration, no hangover. Flavors like Ginger & Key Lime, Mango & Thai Basil and Sicilian Lemon Iced Tea make them feel far more elevated than your average soda. Hide the cans (or serve them proudly—the packaging is beautiful) and your guests will assume you picked up a side gig as a mixologist.

Hosting Hack: The Secret Weapon You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you’ve ever tried to host a party with one sad tray of freezer ice, you already know its chaos. Enter your new Thanksgiving MVP: a Countertop Ice Maker. It churns out fresh cubes faster than your guests can say “top me off,” and it’s compact enough to live on your counter without killing the vibe. No more last-minute store runs or awkward “Can someone grab a bag of ice?” moments, just an endless flow of chill for cocktails, mocktails and all the refills in between.

Appetizers That Disarm and Delight

Before anyone even thinks about asking “When’s dinner?” give them something irresistible to graze on. A gorgeous appetizer spread sets the tone for the whole evening — relaxed, abundant, and delightfully low-pressure. And nothing accomplishes that faster (or more beautifully) than a charcuterie board.

Budget-Friendly Board: Big Style, Small Spend

A charcuterie board is the easiest way to look like you tried really hard, even if you threw it together five minutes before guests walked in. Start with your cheeses: a creamy brie, a sharp cheddar, something with a little attitude like blue or goat. Add a few cured meats you can fold or fan out for dramatic effect. Then fill every empty corner with crackers, nuts, olives, dried fruit, fresh fruit, even a handful of chocolate if you’re in the mood to impress. Finish with honey, jam, or a swipe of mustard. The messier it looks, the fancier it feels. We love the Farberware Bamboo Build-A-Board with Clear Locking Lid for serving.

Splurge! When You Want Instant Wow

If you want a board that stops conversations the moment it hits the table without doing a single minute of slicing, arranging, or stress-styling, the Boarderie Large Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board is your hosting holy grail. It arrives fully assembled and genuinely stunning, overflowing with artisan cheeses, cured meats, dried fruit, nuts, crackers, and perfectly placed seasonal touches. It’s giving “magazine photo shoot,” “private chef energy,” and “I have my life together,” even if the rest of your kitchen says otherwise.

Just open the box, set it out, and revel in the compliments. It’s the ultimate no-effort, maximum-impress move — and a splurge that pays off in pure hosting bliss. Keep this one in mind for the future: they offer versions for all holidays, birthdays or just because it’s a Tuesday night.

The Main Event: Turkey (and Friends)

Here’s the secret about turkey: it’s just a vehicle for gravy. Don’t overthink it. Dry-brine your bird the night before, roast at a steady heat, and let it rest before carving.

Hosting Hack: Smoke It, Don’t Roast It

Feeling bold this year? Skip the oven entirely and smoke your turkey instead. It’s the ultimate flex — rich flavor, crispy skin, and a built-in reason to brag about your culinary “process.” We’re loving the East Oak 30-Inch Electric Smoker with Glass Door — it makes smoking almost foolproof (and honestly, kind of fun). The glass door lets you peek without losing heat, the digital controls do all the heavy lifting, and you get that deep, smoky flavor without babysitting the bird all day. It’s the kind of upgrade that’ll make your guests think you secretly auditioned for a cooking show.

Side Dishes That Disarm and Delight

Everyone Knows Thanksgiving is all about the sides. Check out Managing Editor Mikki Caplan-Zaple’s go-to recipes:

Sweet Endings

By this point, everyone’s too full to move, but you still need dessert. Choose one classic and one wild card, and you’re golden.

Classic: Pumpkin or apple pie with extra whipped cream. Store bought or homemade. No one cares.

Wild Card: Bauducco Chocottone is the effortless dessert upgrade everyone will rave about. Fluffy sweet bread packed with chocolate chunks (or peanut butter or chocolate hazelnut cream), ready to slice and serve. Add powdered sugar or a scoop of ice cream and you’re suddenly the dessert hero. Honestly, save yourself a slice before it disappears.

The Vibe Check

Build a playlist that keeps the energy up but doesn’t drown out conversation. Think a mix of soul, indie and old-school classics. Add candles, twinkle lights, and maybe one decorative gourd too many.

For conversation starters, try:

“What’s something small you’re thankful for this year?”
“Which dish would you ban from Thanksgiving forever?”
“Who’s the family’s unofficial drama MVP?”

Avoid politics. Always.

What Really Matters

Thanksgiving isn’t about perfection; it’s about people. It’s the stories, the shared plates and the unexpected moments that become the memories you keep. From all of us at She’s Got Issues: may your day be full of flavor, fun, and gratitude that lasts well beyond the leftovers.