7 Ways To Stay Sane This Thanksgiving

The baster’s missing, the turkey’s still half-frozen and wait...did the dog just run off with the gizzard?  It’s meaningful. It’s exhausting. It’s chaos in casserole form.

In fact, 70% of Americans say they feel stress during the holidays, and for nearly a third, it’s the pressure to pull off the “perfect” holiday that tops the list.¹

And maybe that’s part of it — the proof that we care enough to want it to go right. 

A 2024 survey showed that many Americans spend nearly seven hours prepping Thanksgiving dinner², only to eat it in about 90 minutes (or less).³

And those 90 minutes matter. After all, the spread is what brings everyone to the table. 

  
But some of the best memories are made in the other seven hours: the cheers from the couch when someone fumbles the stuffing, the backup plan for the pie that hits the floor, the chaos that somehow turns into connection. That’s why we’ve rounded up a few smart shortcuts (and a little behind-the-scenes help) to make every hour count. Think of these as your reminder to take a walk, call dibs on the best nap spot and put the kids in charge of the to-go box assembly line.

Turkey might be tradition, but it’s not the only star of the show. From steak and brisket to lasagna and plant-based mains, these days Thanksgiving menus are as varied as the people around the table.

In fact, Zers now celebrate Friendsgiving,⁴ adding an extra seat for chosen family and new traditions.

With Thanksgiving looking a little different for everyone, the goal isn’t to get it “right” — it’s to make it yours. Whether it’s a traditional feast or a TikTok-inspired mashup, don’t hesitate to make this the year you bring something unexpected to the table. Unless, of course, it’s a remix of Grandad’s legendary potato salad. Some things are off-limits.

Every host deserves a halftime.

Somewhere between basting the turkey and checking the timer (again), the best reset is a little fun. Backyard football. Parade bingo. A board-game rivalry that gets just competitive enough. These are the quick breaks that refill everyone’s tank — and memory bank.

And when the house hits that pre-dinner lull, the right soundtrack can turn it around. The team behind Walmart Radio pulled together a few Thanksgiving playlists for the moments that make the day, from the morning prep to the crowd in the kitchen to that slow, sleepy stretch after dinner.

Because sometimes the best way to beat the chaos is to dance right through it.  

Someone’s hunting for the peeler. Another’s swiping whipped cream straight from the pie. The kids have turned the spice drawer into a building project. And somehow, it all works.

Most Thanksgiving kitchens walk that fine line between teamwork and traffic jam. The trick isn’t to fight it. Instead, learn to lean in. Hand someone a snack board to assemble; let the playlist run wild; give the kids a job (even if it’s just “official taste tester”). Sometimes, the best moments come from the mess.

Setting the table isn’t just about plates and napkins. It’s about creating a space that feels as inviting as what’s coming out of the oven.

But don’t let it turn into another source of stress. There’s a balance between giving it intention and not overthinking it.

A few small touches — the good tablecloth, the candle that smells like home, the note that says “I’m glad you’re here” — are enough to make the whole room feel ready.

The goal isn’t a perfect table; it’s one that feels like everyone belongs there.

How many Thanksgiving mishaps does it take to make a family tradition?

Turns out, sometimes the mistakes are the moments that stick. The near misses become family legends that get retold long after the dishes are done.

Here’s the thing to remember: when things start going a little off-script, no one’s grading you. So take a breath, laugh it off, grab a backup pie and call it part of the plan.

And when Thanksgiving wraps, take a beat before the next thing starts.

The dishes, the kitchen, the mess can wait. Even the tree in the attic can wait (but maybe for just, like, an hour).

Take a breath. Or a nap. And definitely take it all in.

Sure, planning a great menu matters and festive décor helps set the mood. But people? They bring the magic.