Tips for Hosting a Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner, Plus How to Set Up a To-Go Station

Stress less this Thanksgiving by asking guests to bring their favorite side dish to your potluck-style get-together, then serve buffet-style. Set up a clever to-go station so everyone can take a bit of the deliciousness home with them.

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June 25, 2015

By: Kim Stoegbauer

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Celebrate Without the Stress

This year make hosting Thanksgiving as easy as pie by celebrating potluck-style. You provide the basics (turkey, beverages and a few sides) and ask guests to bring their favorite dish. Thanksgiving is all about the food, so set up a handy to-go station for leftovers so everyone leaves with a few tasty bites to enjoy later.

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Be Our Guest

Make sure your guests are in the know by mailing out this gorgeous invitation a few weeks before the big day. Just fill in the details suggesting they bring their favorite side dish or dessert so everyone can sample each other's best recipes.

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Take On the Turkey

The turkey is hands-down the star of Thanksgiving dinner and should be center stage on your buffet. As the host, plan on cooking the turkey yourself. Our Citrus and Herb-Roasted Turkey With Gravy Recipe is sure to hit all the right notes with your guests.

Get the Recipe: Citrus and Herb-Roasted Turkey With Gravy Recipe

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Set the Table

With your turkey in the oven and your guests bringing most of the sides, you can focus on decorating your home and setting a beautiful table. A patterned fabric table runner in fall colors adds elegance while these paper place cards are easy to make with our free printable templates and a few basic craft supplies.

Make Your Own: Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Place Card

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Plan Ahead

Assign dishes or ask your guests what they'd like to bring to dinner. When they arrive, transfer everything to all-white platters and serving dishes to create a striking display that allows the cuisine to take center stage.

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Signature Cocktail

It's a great idea to have a signature beverage at any celebration. Choose something seasonal like these caramel apple martinis. Dress up the glasses with cinnamon sugar and a wooden stir stick. Get the recipe and download our free printable labels for a custom look.

Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Martini Recipe

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Label It

Print these blank labels to add the perfect finishing touch to your Thanksgiving buffet. Guests can fill out the label for their dish as they arrive.

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Thanksgiving Favorites

Use this set of preprinted food labels for the basics like turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and more. Craving Thanksgiving's favorite side? Try our easy stuffing recipe.

Get the Recipe: Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Most people agree that oh-so-seasonal pumpkin pie is one of the best things about Thanksgiving. Bake your favorite recipe or try ours and display on a pretty pedestal to remind your guests to save room for dessert.

Get the Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Candied Yams

It's not Thanksgiving without candied yams, and they're actually easier to make than you may think. Give our recipe a try.

Get the Recipe: Candied Yams Recipe

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Pack It Up

Be sure to send your guests home with plenty of delicious leftovers. Set up a food packaging station where guests can fill to-go containers with their favorites. Top boxes with one of our free printable labels for a chic finishing touch.

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Paper Packaging

Forget Styrofoam and instead opt for eco-friendly paper containers for leftovers. Set out a variety of sizes and types of boxes and cartons. Disposable wooden utensils are also a great idea.

From: Kim Stoegbauer

(Homemade!) Fast Food

Use mini containers to assemble the perfect to-go meal for friends or family who'll miss the Thanksgiving festivities due to travel or work obligations. They'll definitely be thankful for your thoughtfulness.

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Make It Last

Print these "Enjoy Later" labels on white card stock then use a circle cutter to create round labels to embellish pint-sized containers' lids.

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Creative Packaging

Every dinner guest will be ready to fill up on leftovers when they see your creative Thanksgiving packaging ideas. The printable tags and labels add the perfect touch and coordinate with the rest of the paper designs used at dinner.

Get the Templates: 31 Printable (and Free!) Thanksgiving Templates

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Sweet Treats

These mini box containers are just the right size for a sweet surprise for your guests. Fill with candies or snack mix, tie with twine and top with one of our printable "Sweet Treats" tags, then hand out to guests as they're leaving for a sweet send-off.

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Happy Thanksgiving

Everyone loves Thanksgiving leftovers, so their to-go boxes may be just as stuffed as they are. Have plenty of handy twine on hand to wrap the boxes to prevent any mishaps on the way home. Most importantly, enjoy your family and friends and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Tips for Hosting a Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner, Plus How to Set Up a To-Go Station

Related To:

Shop This Look

Celebrate Without the Stress

Be Our Guest

Take On the Turkey

Set the Table

Plan Ahead

Signature Cocktail

Label It

Thanksgiving Favorites

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Candied Yams

Pack It Up

Paper Packaging

(Homemade!) Fast Food

Make It Last

Creative Packaging

Sweet Treats

Happy Thanksgiving

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