Life comes to you quickly – and it goes on Thanksgiving DayAnd hurry. One minute you’re planning the menu, and the next, the turkey timer is already ticking. If you’re hosting this year, there’s no shortage of things to do, buy, prepare, clean, and organize. And if you’ve just started planning, it’s officially time to move. key? Take it one step at a time and rely on some clever tricks to save time, money and (most importantly) your sanity.
And to help you get it all done, we’ve created the ultimate Thanksgiving 2025 cheat sheet packed with smart shopping tips, prep shortcuts, hosting hacks, and after-dinner clean-up hacks. And because the holidays can be as stressful as they are fun, we’ve also included some ways to keep your well-being (and your wallet) intact, plus how to sneak in some stars Black Friday offers All the way.
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Below you’ll find everything you need to have a satisfying, stress-free Thanksgiving. Think of it as your personal holiday assistant (and our little seasonal secret).
Read more: Don’t make these common Thanksgiving mistakes
How to Make Thanksgiving Dinner Stress-Free
Thanksgiving is a meal with an array of dishes that guests expect. Minimize meal prep and work with a Thanksgiving meal kit packed with all the ingredients needed for Thanksgiving dinner. Or save yourself a few trips to the store by purchasing your turkey and other provisions online.
How to make Thanksgiving dinner more delicious
This next series of tips is full of easy ways to thaw and cook a great bird for Thanksgiving. We’ve also made some suggestions for people looking to cook something other than a turkey in November.
No need to blow your monthly budget on Thanksgiving groceries.
I’m hosting Thanksgiving. What are the best cleaning methods for guests?
Being a host is not easy. A lot of work goes into cleaning and preparing for guests. To help, we’ve compiled a list of essential hosting and cooking tips you’ll need for Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving dinner. Although cleaning your home may take an entire day (or more), we have some reliable tips that can make the cleaning process more efficient.
House cleaning tips:
A lot of work goes into cleaning and preparing for guests. But we have some easy tips to help you.
Tips for cleaning appliances and kitchen utensils:
How can I prioritize my health and wellness during Thanksgiving?
The holidays only come once a year, so it’s understandable that you’d want to enjoy all those delicious food and drinks. However, Thanksgiving can also be an anxious time for people who are on a journey to improve their health and nutrition. The important thing is that you don’t need to deprive or restrict yourself. Instead, you can follow some of these healthy tips to enjoy Thanksgiving weekend without feeling guilty.
It can be hard to prioritize your health during the holidays, but there’s always time to take care of yourself.
Where can I find early Black Friday deals and holiday gift ideas?
When you’re in the battle of preparing for the holiday season, it can be easy to let things slip away, but gift shopping is something you won’t regret planning ahead. Planning ahead for your Black Friday online shopping can reduce the stress of gift shopping, and we’re here to help. Whether you’re buying for a parent, siblings, significant other or friend, our CNET experts have a roundup of the best deals and gifts available for Black Friday and beyond.
To never miss a deal, check out CNET’s full roundup of early Black Friday deals. And for the best gift recommendations, explore CNET’s ultimate gift guide to start checking off the boxes on your list.