Fall’s here, so it’s officially time to start making plans for when, how and where your Thanksgiving feast is going to be happening this year. As a favorite holiday for many Americans, the pressure is high on hosts across the country. Organizing and hosting a Thanksgiving for the whole family or a Friendsgiving for your closest friends can be a huge task.
To help you host the best Thanksgiving ever, we’ve put together a list of essentials for success. Whether this is the first time you’re hosting the annual feast or you’re a seasoned pro, these items will help you cook the most delicious turkey day meal possible, create an ideal Thanksgiving ambiance and ensure your get together runs smoothly, allowing you to enjoy it just as much as your guests.
From making sure the big games are seen in the best quality picture to serving dinner in the most autumnal way possible, check out this list of cooking and hosting items for your November feast so that you’ll be the Thanksgiving King.
1. Sony X900H 55 Inch 4K TV
For many, sitting down around a TV and watching football all day long is just as much of a Thanksgiving tradition as having a bird itself. If you’re looking to really capitalize on your screentime, or are just in need of an update to your existing TV, this Sony 4K television will ensure your Thanksgiving Day activities are shown in the biggest and best format possible. The 4K quality provides a stunningly crisp picture that will make you feel like you’re really on the field.
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2. Amazon Fire 4K TV Stick
Of course, if you’re getting a 4K television, you’ll need to make sure that all of your streaming devices are fully capable of taking advantage of the latest and greatest in picture quality. That’s where Amazon’s Fire 4K TV Stick comes into play, as you’ll be able to get a full 4K picture across services like Amazon Prime TV, Netflix, Hulu, and more. Plus, navigation is a breeze with built-in Alexa voice control and even dedicated volume up and down buttons.
3. OXO Good Grips Fat Separator
A good gravy can make or break a Thanksgiving meal. With the OXO Good Grips Fat Separator, the stock going into your gravy will be somewhere close to fat-free. Not only does the device allow the fat to separate itself out, but the heat-resistant strainer also catches any unwanted bits of food that have dislodged during the cooking process, leaving you with a clean stock for your gravy. This fat separator is dishwasher safe and has a plastic handle for easy carrying when things are hot.
4. Habor Meat Thermometer
Ensure your turkey is properly cooked with this Habor Thermometer. With its extra-long probe and quick reading time, you’ll know your turkey is going to come out just the way you want it. All you have to do is stick the thermometer into the bird to see an accurate temperature reading (between -58℉ to 572℉). Plus, this thermometer comes with a handy storage sheath and an auto shut-off function to prolong its battery life.
5. Wilson NFL MVP Football
Every good Thanksgiving gathering isn’t complete without a family-friendly game of football after the meal is done to help avoid that afternoon nap. And what better way to play than with an official Wilson NFL football? Made from premium leather that will feel good in your hands even if you don’t have gloves on, you’ll be to throw that perfect spiral. Just don’t take the game too seriously — the last thing anyone needs during Thanksgiving is a trip to the doctor!
6. Great Jones The Duchess Cast Iron Dutch Oven
If you want fantastic performance from a cast-iron dutch oven but don’t want to pay a considerable amount for it, the Duchess dutch oven from Great Jones is a fantastic value buy. Great at retaining heat, it’ll brown and sear your sides in no time for an evenly distributed cook. Plus, you can toss it in the oven with ease for roasting a bird with ease. Oh, and it comes in a variety of colors to match whatever else will be on your table — or to make a statement if you so desire.
7. Mirro Stainless Steel Food Mill
The Mirro Stainless Steel Food Mill is the best way to get the right textures on your Thanksgiving table. It’s ideal for mashing, straining, grating and rice-ing your foods and comes in two different sizes, letting you choose the right one for you depending on the number of guests you’re expecting. The mill is made from stainless steel to give it a solid and durable construction, which will last for many Thanksgivings to come.
8. Rose Levy Beranbaum’s Perfect Pie Plate
Regardless of whether or not you have a sweet tooth or just want to ensure the dessert you’ve been tasked with bringing is as great as it can be, the pie plate from Rose Levy makes it so you’ve got a perfect pie every time. The deep, fluted edges help to provide scalloped crusts to give a more elaborate and decorative presentation. However, looks only go so far if the performance isn’t there to match. That’s not a concern, however, as the ceramic construction and scratch-free glaze resists staining, odors, and cracking. Oh, and it’s a breeze to clean.
9. National Tree Woven Branch Basket
A traditional symbol of a bountiful harvest, a cornucopia makes the ideal Thanksgiving centerpiece. Featuring the traditional Thanksgiving color scheme, this National Tree Woven Branch Basket is eye-catching with its artificial leaves and flowers. The centerpiece stands 22 inches high and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
10. Alpha Living Stainless Steel Chafing Dish Set
There’s nothing worse than having a Thanksgiving dish go awry and having some food done, waiting around, while you wait for a turkey to finish. But don’t fret, having a chafing dish set — like this four-piece set from Alpha Living — keeps your side dishes like mashed potatoes, green beans, and so forth warm. The full set is packable and collapsible to make storing outside of the holiday, while the stainless steel construction is both great-looking as well as great-performing (from keeping food warm all the way down to cleaning up after.)
11. Dalstrong Carving Knife & Fork Set
BEST FOR THE MEAT MASTER
If you’re going to cook the perfect turkey, don’t ruin it with inferior carving. To properly serve up a roasted bird, you’ll need a sharp carving knife as well as a meat fork. This is a good candidate for the job. The razor-sharp knife allows for effortless slicing, while the fork and honing rod complete the well-reviewed set.
12. Educated Guess Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
While any wine of any shade will do, I’m personally a fan of a good Cab Sauv on Thanksgiving. This Napa Valley red from Educated Guess has tasting notes of berry, cherry, chocolate and vanilla, making it a well-rounded wine to go from appetizers all the way through to dessert and back again if your stomach so desires. Plus, it’s a great mid-tier wine, meaning you won’t have to spend a lot to get a great tasting bottle your friends and family will want to have again and again.
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