Thanksgiving Week: A Blend of Gratitude, Chaos, and Family Fun

I LOVE Thanksgiving. It’s right in the middle of the holiday season, features some of the best food, and tends to be less chaotic than other holidays. That doesn’t mean it comes without its stresses, though.

Luckily, I’ve never had to host Thanksgiving, so I don’t have to worry about the full setup or cooking an entire meal. However, I do enjoy making a couple of dishes to contribute!

Since I don’t cook the entire Thanksgiving meal, I get to focus on just one or two dishes. My parents or in-laws usually handle the turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, and green beans (with slight variations). My husband’s favorite addition to Thanksgiving is Alex Guarnaschelli’s mozzarella and pepperoni stuffing (pictured below). We discovered it in New York one Thanksgiving and have been obsessed ever since.

This year, I also made homemade sourdough dinner rolls, thanks to my current sourdough kick. They were a hit!

Fortunately, my family doesn’t have many dietary restrictions, except for my sister’s severe cashew allergy—but cashews aren’t a common ingredient in Thanksgiving food anyway. The spicy pepperoni stuffing, however, does require a heads-up for anyone who can’t handle the heat.

I’m all about early shopping to avoid the pre-holiday crowds. My essentials checklist includes ingredients for the dishes I’m making, plus a backup plan for any last-minute needs. Preparation is key to keeping the stress down.

We alternate Thanksgiving between my family and my in-laws, switching each year. This keeps the day less chaotic and makes nap times easier for the kids. Being with family is such a blessing, and I love catching up with out-of-town relatives.

One of my favorite traditions is my mother-in-law’s gratitude jar. Each year, we write down what we’re thankful for on a piece of paper, sign and date it, and add it to the jar. It’s always fun to revisit these notes and reflect on past Thanksgivings, like our first as a married couple or our first with kids.

Family drama happens—especially during the holidays. My best advice (though I’m not the best at following it) is to avoid adding to the drama. When things get awkward, I usually just turn quiet. Finding humor in the chaos helps, too—without it, family gatherings would be impossible!

Taking time to reflect on gratitude is one of the things I love most about Thanksgiving. My mother-in-law’s gratitude jar tradition is a great reminder to pause and appreciate the blessings in our lives, even when things feel overwhelming.

We tend to cook our dishes on Thanksgiving morning, but for something like sourdough, it’s essential to start early. Despite our best efforts to stay on schedule, things always seem to take longer than expected. I’ve learned to embrace the delays and not stress over being late.

I can’t choose a favorite part of the meal because I love it all, especially with gravy smothered over everything. Thanksgiving food is my happy place.

After dinner, we usually head home, cozy up with a movie, and call it a night. This year, we switched things up by playing a card game (Hand and Foot) with my in-laws while my sister-in-laws entertained the kids. It was a simple but special way to unwind.

Thanksgiving leftovers are almost as important as the main meal. I’m not particularly creative with them—I just eat them as-is—but I was inspired by friends who made Thanksgiving spring rolls dipped in gravy. Delicious and inventive!

Looking back, this Thanksgiving week was full of highs and very few lows. The food was incredible, and the time with family was even better. I’m beyond thankful for it all.

By the end of the week, I was exhausted but fulfilled. Thanksgiving always leaves me feeling grateful and ready to embrace the holiday season.

Thanksgiving is a beautiful reminder to cherish family, reflect on our blessings, and create lasting memories. What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions? I’d love to hear your stories—share them in the comments!

This Thanksgiving, why not try a new recipe or tradition? Focus on gratitude, and carry that mindset through the holiday season. Don’t forget to share this post with your friends or on social media for some Thanksgiving inspiration!