Team KCM’s Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving Prep

Thanksgiving home goods on blue background

Giovanna Chung/KCM

Whether you’re a cooking pro, a first-time host, or a perpetual guest, we have you covered.

Thanksgiving is arguably the perfect holiday: Great food, lots of football, even more family, a comfortable dress code, and your primary opportunity to get your pumpkin pie fix for the year. It can also be incredibly stressful for the host, no matter how experienced. There’s usually a to-do list as long as your favorite NFL team’s roster — practice squad included — and preparations can take days (or even weeks). Even if you’ve decided to order in Thanksgiving dinner this year, there’s still the issues of decorating, drinks, and graphing out exactly how you’ll seat twenty guests for dinner.

While we can’t help you figure out a drama-free seating arrangement or coerce your family members into contributing something more substantive than a can of cranberries, we can at least address some of your more straightforward needs. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, taking over the tradition from another family member, hosting a friendsgiving, or just coming as a guest, we’ve picked out the essential supplies for a successful Thanksgiving.

Our list includes top-notch kitchen gear, thoughtful gifts, and home decor standouts that will make your day easier, more festive, or both. And even though Thanksgiving might feel far away, we can guarantee that the next few weeks will fly by in a heartbeat. Read on to avoid that last-minute, frantic trip to the grocery store, liquor store, and mall on Thursday morning.

Northlight Fall Candle Holder Centerpiece

Target

Jazz up your table with this beautiful fall centerpiece, which fits a 4-inch diameter pillar candle and features faux mums, foliage, and pomegranates. Use your everyday go-to candle, a seasonal scent, or invest in a flameless candle you’ll be able to use for years.

$48 at Target

Ombré 5 Light Centerpiece

Homegoods

If highly decorative tablescapes aren’t really your thing, go with this understated modern-rustic centerpiece instead. You can customize it seasonally by tucking fresh or faux flowers, garlands, and leaves between the metal elements.

$50 at Homegoods

City Bonfires 5-Pack

City Bonfires

Move the party to the patio with a few of City Bonfires’ portable bonfires, which serve as sources of heat, light, and even s’more-roasting stations. They have a three- to five-hour burn time and give all the coziness of a bonfire without the hassle of setup and cleanup.

$95 at City Bonfires

Marble Wine Chiller

Amazon

If you’re a guest, gifting this sleek marble wine chiller is a great way to show your appreciation to the host. And if you’re a host, buying this for yourself will ensure your wine bottles stay cool. Simply pop into the fridge or freezer for 20 minutes, then pop a wine bottle into the chiller to keep your drinks cool.

$35 at Amazon

Rifle Paper Co. x Hedley & Bennett Herb Garden Apron

Hedley & Bennett

We all know we should be wearing an apron to protect our clothes, but there’s no denying an apron can really ruin the vibe of an outfit. This beautiful, high-quality choice from renowned apron maker Hedley & Bennett will protect your real clothes without looking lame in pictures. Aside from the looks, it has way more pockets than your average apron, plus a loop for tongs, so you can switch seamlessly from dish to dish without dropping your utensils.

$105 at H&B

Chilewich Weave Table Runner

Nordstrom

If you’ve been feeling like your go-to tablecloth could use an update, we recommend this richly colored runner that will carry you through all your fall and winter hosting needs. It’s festive without being over the top and will go with tablecloths and linens in a variety of patterns and colors.

$60 at Nordstrom

Handcrafted Faux Eucalyptus 24” Wreath

Wayfair

When it comes to a seasonal wreath, we can’t help ourselves. This one is nice and full, and the color scheme means you can use it through the fall and winter. 

$76 at Wayfair

Staub Ceramic 16-oz Petite Pumpkin Cocotte

Urban Outfitters

One part seasonal serveware, one part high-quality cookware, this pumpkin-shaped Dutch oven is as functional as it is beautiful. It can move from oven to stovetop without missing a beat and retains heat so your dishes stay warm until dinnertime. It’s the perfect size for an appetizer on Thanksgiving.

$35 at UO

Our Place Oven Pan

Our Place

This pan may not be able to fit your turkey for roasting, but it’s good at just about everything else. You can use it to roast vegetables and meats, bake cookies, make a casserole, and it even serves as a griddle on the stovetop. When all is said and done you can even use it as a picturesque serving dish as well. It has a five quart capacity, so you can even fit your thanksgiving sweet potatoes in it. Bonus: The large surface area means there’ll be enough marshmallow topping to satisfy everyone.

$125 at Our Place

Caraway Sauce Pan

Caraway

If you’re like us, by the time you transfer your gravy from the pot, there’s more on the counter than in your boat. A pot that doubles as a serving dish is practically a dream come true, and Caraway’s Sauce Pan is it. It’s the perfect size for cooking for two (or making gravy for more) and the naturally nonstick ceramic coating makes it both beautiful and easy to clean.

$115 at Caraway

MINNA Jonote Trivet

MINNA

With all these hot dishes hitting the table, you’re going to need some heat protection. Buy a few of these handmade trivets from MINNA, which add a homey touch to your setup and can be used year round. 

$40 at MINNA

Material Angled Board

Material

Whether you’re looking for a big board to cut your turkey on or something beautiful to hold charcuterie or a veggie platter, the Angled Board from Material is a good bet. It has a groove for catching juices on one side, and the other side is smooth but has an angled edge that makes it easier to scrape chopped vegetables onto a pan or bowl. Plus, it’s made of responsibly sourced wood and looks stunning in nearly every setting.

$95 at Material

Bake Me A Wish! Pumpkin Cheesecake

Bake Me A Wish!

So you were assigned to bring a dessert but have no clue how to bake? Take stress out of the occasion with something from Bake Me A Wish, which offers nationwide overnight and 2-day delivery on its range of delicious baked goods. Knock it out of the park with the pumpkin cheesecake, which delivers the best of both worlds with classic New York cheesecake flavor, paired with a pumpkin swirl.

$50 at BMAW

Frères Branchiaux

Frères Branchiaux

When it comes to host gifts, you can’t go wrong with a nice candle. Our recommendation for the season is Freres Branchiaux’s Whiskey Sweet candle, which smells cozy, spicy, and perfect for fall. Stock up on a few for all your cold weather gifting needs.

$33 at FB

Set Of 6 Glasses

Sur la Table

Between curating your guest list and finding the perfect stuffing recipe, it’s likely you’ve forgotten to consider your glassware. If your favorite set has a few too many glasses missing, it might be time to stock up on new ones. This classic set of six will make your wine — or water — look sublime.

$65 at Sur la Table

Gather Platters

Our Place

No matter what you’re serving, your appetizers will look extra stunning arranged on one of these glossy ceramic platters. They come in a variety of subtle yet handsome shades, but we love the rosy orange-brown Terracotta color.

$48 at Our Place

Tibo Bar Cart

Wayfair

OK, so this pick may seem a little elaborate, but hear us out. If you’ve never tried entertaining with a bar cart, just know that having one somehow makes you automatically feel like the most glamorous host with an enviable taste for interior design. We love this farmhouse chic option because it has a built-in wine rack and storage space for stemware.

$210 at Wayfair

Turkey Lifters

Sur la Table

Here’s a nifty kitchen tool you never knew you needed. This set of two turkey lifters will allow you to easily move your turkey from your roasting pan to your serving platter. This eliminates an inevitable stressor that we often forget about until we’re faced with a hot, greasy, large bird that needs immediate attention.

$14 at Sur la Table

Ceramic Salt Cellar

Food52

Buying a gift for a host who loves to cook? This little salt cellar will look adorable perched on their countertop. Somehow both eye-catching and unobtrusive, we love this cellar because its angled opening ensures that no salt will spill.

$34 at Food52

Signature Oval Baker

Le Creuset

Leave it to le Creuset to develop a total workhorse of a roasting pan that you can use for baking, roasting, and stovetop cooking. We also love the shape and color of the pan so much that we’d proudly use it as a serving platter, too.

$90+ at le Creuset

Everyday Soft Cotton Cloth Napkins

Food52

There’s something about a well-chosen cloth napkin that immediately ties a table together. And if you’re going for that “effortless yet totally graceful” look, try this cotton set that mimics the elegantly rumpled look of linen.

$30+ at Food52