How to Organize Everything You Need for Thanksgiving Dinner | Elevated Mess – Los Angeles, CA

Thanksgiving is one of the most joyful—and hectic—holidays of the year. Between planning the menu, prepping the house for guests, and managing a busy kitchen, it’s easy for clutter and stress to take over. At Elevated Mess, your Los Angeles home-organizing experts, we believe the key to an enjoyable holiday is thoughtful preparation and a clutter-free space. 🧡

If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, here’s your step-by-step guide to organizing everything you need for a smooth, stress-free dinner.

1. Start With a Clear Thanksgiving Menu

Before you can organize, you need to know exactly what you’re making. Create a simple list that includes:

• Main dishes

• Sides

• Desserts

• Drinks

• Special dietary items

Once the menu is clear, you can organize your pantry, freezer, and shopping list more efficiently.

2. Do a Pantry + Fridge Reset 🥫

Thanksgiving recipes often call for spices, baking supplies, or pantry staples you may not use year-round.
Do a quick inventory:

• Check expiration dates

• Consolidate duplicates

• Toss anything stale or unnecessary

• Create a dedicated Thanksgiving ingredients zone

This saves time, reduces clutter, and ensures you don’t buy what you already have.

3. Organize Your Cookware + Serving Pieces

Pull out everything you’ll need:

• Roasting pans

• Baking sheets

• Pie dishes

• Dutch ovens

• Serving platters

• Carving knives

Lay them out and assign each item to a dish on your menu. If something is missing, now’s the time to borrow or replace it—not on Thanksgiving morning!

Pro Tip: Store frequently-used cookware in the most accessible cabinets and move specialty items to higher or lower shelves.

4. Create a “Thanksgiving Prep Station”

Set up a small area of your kitchen or dining space for:

• Recipes

• Grocery list

• Aprons

• Foil, parchment, and storage containers

• Oven mitts

• Measuring cups

A central station keeps the chaos contained and makes cooking feel intentional rather than rushed.

5. Prep Ingredients Ahead of Time 🧅

Chop vegetables, measure dry ingredients, and label everything the day before Thanksgiving. Use clear containers or reusable bags and group ingredients by dish.
This not only saves time—it keeps your kitchen clean and organized during the busiest cooking day of the year.

6. Set Up a Clean + Functional Guest Area

If you're hosting guests, make sure:

• Entryway is decluttered

• Towels and guest essentials are stocked

• Dining table is pre-set (24 hours early is ideal!)

• Trash and recycling bins are emptied and easy to access

A calm home sets the tone for a calm holiday.

7. Keep Cleanup Supplies Ready 🧽

Thanksgiving dinner produces a lot of mess. Prepare:

• Dish soap + sponges

• Extra trash bags

• Food storage containers for leftovers

• A “cleanup zone” for dirty dishes

When everything has a place, cleanup becomes quicker and far less overwhelming.

Let Elevated Mess Help You Prep for the Holidays

Whether you need a kitchen refresh, pantry overhaul, or whole-home organization before your Thanksgiving gathering, Elevated Mess is here to make your Los Angeles home feel calm, functional, and guest-ready.

✨ A clutter-free home means a stress-free holiday. ✨

Ready to get organized? Reach out anytime—we’d love to help make your Thanksgiving unforgettable.