Thanksgiving may be more than a month away, but we don't have to remind you how time tends to fly by leading up to the holidays, especially if you're tasked with hosting responsibilities and haven't even thought about preparing yet. Luckily, you won't have to try too hard -- at least in the food department -- because many grocery retailers want to help you do it for less -- specifically when it comes to stress, money and time.
Retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods, Aldi and more have prepared a bundle of sorts with everything you need to create a homemade (or pre-made) traditional Thanksgiving meal at home, including ingredients for entrées, sides and even sometimes desserts.
Aside from preparing the meal, decorating your space and getting it ready for hosting is a whole other task, which is why we rounded up some hosting essentials, from trending items to editor-loved pieces that we pull out each time guests come over.
Walmart very recently announced its annual Thanksgiving meal, calling it the "best offer yet." The money-saving meal will come with enough food to feed a table of 10, with a total price rounding out to an estimated $39.92 -- or, less than $4 a person! You can expect all the ingredients needed to put together the quintessential Thanksgiving dinner, including a 13.5 lb. turkey, russet potatoes, mac and cheese, stuffing, pie essentials and more.
Walmart will also offer a "holiday meal," filled with everything you'll need for groups of at least four and up to 24. You'll receive 18 food items: a frozen turkey breast, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, fried onions, mini marshmallows, corn muffin mix, chicken broth, poultry seasoning, a can of kernel corn, gravy mix, cranberry sauce, pecan pie, evaporated milk, canned pumpkin, pie crust, whipped cream and Hawaiian bread rolls.
For those who are members at Sam's Club, the bulk retailer is offering a Thanksgiving meal at $10 a person, for a total of $100.
It includes a turkey, 24 dinner rolls, a platter of mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, a pumpkin pie, harvest salad, garlic buttered corn and more.
At a cost of $4 per serving to feed up to 10 family members, friends and guests, this Aldi Thanksgiving offering sounds almost too good to be true. (That's $40 total -- $7 cheaper than their 2024 Thanksgiving meal price!) The retailer lays out all the ingredients you need to add to cart to make sure your dinner table is packed with only the tastiest mains, sides and desserts.
Starting October 30, you'll be able to browse all of Whole Foods' Thanksgiving catering offerings, which will include a selection of turkeys, sides and desserts to choose from.
This Thanksgiving meal is all about giving you choices. Prefer ham to the traditional turkey? No problem. Have a thing for scalloped potatoes, more so than preparing them mashed? Easy. Can't stand pumpkin pie? How about an apple tart?! You can customize your perfect holiday dinner without the stress of buying the ingredients and cooking them from scratch -- and all for an unbeatable price.
Whoever said the holidays are stressful has never heard of Harry & David. The brand is about to make your Thanksgiving prep that much easier with this customizable gourmet feast. Included is a turkey, accompanied with gravy and cranberry chutney -- of course -- but you get to choose the appetizer, side and dessert you want!
This meal looks better than anything I (commerce writer Danielle Murphy) could ever scrounge up on Thanksgiving Day. And since this tasty-looking meal comes with all my favorite dishes I like to eat on the holiday, this dinner is a no-brainer for me!
We all know the meats and cheeses that come before the actual Thanksgiving feast might be the best part. (Just me?) Regardless, Boarderie offers a fool-proof way to satisfy an appetite with this classic charcuterie board. It's packed with artisan cheeses, meats, dried fruits, crackers, chocolates and more -- and arrives ready to eat!
This utensil set is ideal for swiping jam, jelly, honey mustard or more over a slice of bread, or snagging a grape, slice of cheese or salami from a platter. At less than $9, this four-piece set will pair nicely with any charcuterie board.
No guest should be left empty-handed! Whether they fill this to the brim with a mocktail of choice, or top off a bottle of wine, these wine glasses feature a classic shape for easy sipping.
Save ready-to-make foods in the fridge ahead of hosting, or send guests home with leftovers in these silicone food storage bags that have an air-tight, zip-lock seal and are also microwave safe.
These cocktail napkins are an easy way to implement a trending pattern and design into your party décor. Plus, they can be washed and reused time and time again, no matter the occasion!
You can also sit them atop this matching table runner, which is also from the "Madeline" line from Anthropologie.
Being such an important staple to your dining experience, your salt and pepper shakers should match the mood you set. This stainless steel set will only add to the look of your holiday tablescape this year.
This 2-in-1 tray makes it easy to go from a charcuterie board during cocktail hour to serving deviled eggs as part of the main dish. The deviled egg "dimples" are on the front of the tray, and on the opposite side is a solid base for creating a charcuterie spread.
If choruses of "can you pass the gravy" are often heard at your table during meals, this lazy Susan could be your solution to an overly crowded table.
Its design allows it to rotate a full 360 degrees, meaning guests have access to sides, seasonings and dressings galore, no matter where they're sitting.
These utensils make it easy to slop, scrape and serve meals straight from the dish, due to their ergonomic handles and heat-resistant finishes.
Sometimes, throw-away paper towels can't get the job done. Cue: these Sur la Table towels. They're said to be quite absorbent, quick-drying and easy to wash. Plus, it doesn't hurt that they also have a design that will look great hung on your oven handle, across chairs or wherever you prefer to store your kitchen hand towels.
Let your spread steal the show, while this solid-colored runner can blend into the background. It's aptly colored for the season, with a shade name of "burnt butter." It's available in three different fabric options, like cotton, cotton twill and linen.
Whether you're serving up your favorite seasonal salads, fruits or popcorn during a movie night, these wooden bowls will come in handy. The set of three offers different sizes, all made from responsibly sourced, non-scratch materials.
Get to know family and friends' hidden quirks, what truly makes them tick, or learn a new fun fact about their childhood thanks to these conversation cards.
"My husband and I entertain a lot, so I registered for a bunch of functional-yet-stylish hosting essentials, like this molcajete for preparing and serving homemade guacamole," says senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. I love pulling it out when friends come over or even for weeknight dinners when it's just us two."
It's available in small and large sizes, making enough to feed the masses or a small gathering.
"This apron is so cute for the home host who is also in the kitchen throughout the party prepping dinner and apps," says social media editorial assistant, Annie Shigo. "It's anti-inflammatory so you don't have to worry about standing too close to the burner!"
"I've gifted (and received!) Mark & Graham cheese boards many times over the years," says Cocchi Zabloudil. "They're both stylish and functional -- perfect for anyone on your list who loves to entertain and host. And the customization options are such a thoughtful finishing touch!"
"True story: I had a major disaster the second time I was hosting people in my apartment that started with my existing cocktail shaker being stuck closed for 24 hours and ended with purple liquor splattered all over my white walls," says senior editor Jess Bender. "Needless to say, an upgrade was direly necessary. I fortunately received a sample of this Yeti shaker shortly after the infamous mishap, but I would pay full price for the quality you're getting with it. This also earned my bartender friend's seal of approval thanks to thoughtful features like its double-wall vacuum insulation and No Sweat Design on the outside."
Based off of this segment that aired on TODAY, we found grocery retailers that are offering Thanksgiving meal deals, whether they supply you with the ingredients to cook a homemade meal or provide you with premade food.
We also went to our Shop TODAY editors and writers to learn what they use to impress guests with when gathering. Our team searches the internet to find the best products out there, combing through customer reviews and using our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.