Your Ultimate Holiday Meal Planner Template

By Andrea Cohen
Published 10/23/2025
In This Article
Your Ultimate Holiday Meal Planner Template
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Hosting a holiday meal, like Thanksgiving, should feel joyful, not stressful. But between planning the meal, shopping for ingredients, preparing the food, and getting everything on the table, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why a holiday meal planner template can be just what you need to make things simple and easy. With a smart plan in place, you can serve a delicious meal that your guests will love while you get to enjoy the day just as much as they do.

Our holiday meal planning template can be used year after year, as well as for any holiday gathering, so you may just want to save it as one of your favorites. It covers how much food to prepare, provides healthier swaps for modern holiday menus, and gives you a step-by-step checklist that keeps everything on track.

Holiday Meal Planning Template

This holiday meal planner is focused on planning for and preparing a Thanksgiving dinner, but you can easily adapt it for any holiday dinner or meal that feeds a crowd, just by changing up the dishes you prepare (the amounts of food you’ll need and calendar will be similar, no matter what the holiday).

  • Step 1: Build a Healthy Thanksgiving Meal Plan

    Here’s a sample Thanksgiving menu that includes tips for adapting how much food to make based on the number of guests and also suggests some healthy, but still traditional, dishes to serve.

    • Turkey: 1 to 1½ pounds per person

    Consider roasting with herbs and olive oil instead of butter for a lighter option, like in this high protein, low carb Oven Roasted Turkey recipe.

    • Stuffing: About ½ cup per person

    Go with whole grain bread, wild rice, or quinoa blends to add fiber, or try this Cornbread Stuffing or Thanksgiving Dressing. 

    • Mashed Potatoes: About ½ cup per person

    Swap some potatoes for cauliflower for a lower-carb, heart-healthy version, or make this healthy Mashed Potato Casserole.

    • Vegetables: About ½ cup each per person

    Aim for at least two different veggies, such as a healthy Green Bean Casserole, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or Honey Carrots. 

    • Salads: About 1 cup for leafy salads, ½ cup for grain-based salads, per person

    Add a leafy green or heartier grain-based salad to balance the meal, such as this Sweet Potato, Kale and Farro Salad.

    • Desserts: 1 slice (pies or cakes), ½ cup (cobblers), 1-2 (cookies or bars) per person

    Pumpkin Pie and cheesecake are classics. Also consider fruit cobblers, cookies, fresh fruit, or mini portions so guests can sample small bites of various desserts.

    Keep in mind that guests may eat smaller portions than those stated here, since they will likely sample a variety of dishes. 

  • Step 2: Follow This Thanksgiving Meal Checklist

    Not sure what to do when? Here’s an easy-to-follow timeline to get ready for Thanksgiving based on a classic holiday meal planner.

    One Month Before

    ✔  Finalize your menu, including a mix of traditional and lighter dishes. Keep in mind any dietary restrictions your guests may have.

    Two Weeks Before

    ✔  Make a shopping list so you don’t forget anything you’ll need.

    ✔  Shop for pantry staples and non-perishables.

    ✔  Order a fresh turkey (to be picked up right before the holiday) or buy a frozen one.

    One Week Before

    ✔  Make any dishes or components of dishes that can be prepped ahead and frozen, such as soups, casseroles, pie fillings, or cookies.

    4-5 Days Before

    ✔  Start thawing your turkey in the fridge (allow 24 hours per 4–5 lbs).

    2-3 Days Before

    ✔  Chop and store vegetables in airtight containers.

    ✔  Prepare dips, sauces, appetizers, side dishes, or casseroles that can be refrigerated.

    Day Before

    ✔  Bake pies or fruit crisps so the oven is free on Thanksgiving Day.

    ✔  Place any pre-made dishes that were frozen in the fridge to thaw.

    ✔  Set the table and arrange serving dishes.

    ✔  Chill beverages.

    Thanksgiving Morning

    ✔  Roast or prep vegetables.

    ✔  Make dishes that are not already prepared, such as potatoes, stuffing, or gravy.

    ✔  Put the turkey in the oven, giving it plenty of time to cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (time will depend on size), along with extra time so it can rest before carving.

    Before Guests Arrive

    ✔  Put out appetizers and drinks

    ✔  Double check your list to make sure all food is ready to go.

    Just Before Dinner

    ✔  Carve the turkey, unless doing it at the table.

    ✔  Warm sides, toss salads, and set out fresh bread or rolls.

    ✔  Bring all dishes to the table (ask for help – you don’t need to do it all!)

    ✔  Light candles, turn on music, and gather your guests.

    ✔  Get ready to enjoy a holiday meal with those you love!

Why Use a Holiday Meal Planner?

A holiday meal planning template or Thanksgiving meal checklist isn’t just about staying organized. It helps you create a healthier, less stressful, and more intentional holiday. By making a plan, prepping ahead, and balancing indulgence with better-for-you options, you’ll have a dinner that’s festive and healthy, while also making things easier for you as the host, so you can enjoy the holiday as much as everyone else.

If you customize this holiday meal planner to make it your own, you can use it every year with just a few tweaks to make holiday meal planning easier and more enjoyable. Use this planner for Thanksgiving or adapt it to plan holiday meals such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, or even birthdays to enjoy a more stress-free approach to hosting your next crowd-pleasing meal.

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