Moss and Ink local

It’s not too late to order those must-have items needed for a great Thanksgiving hosting experience! Each item listed is a clickable link straight to where to purchase said item!

Turkey & Cooking Essentials

• Roasting pan (large, sturdy) + V-shaped rack
• Disposable roasting pans (for backup or overflow)
• Turkey baster or bulb baster
• Instant-read meat thermometer (digital is best)
• Twine for trussing + poultry shears
• Aluminum foil (heavy-duty) + plastic wrap
• Cheesecloth (for basting with butter)
• Brining bag or large stockpot (if brining)

Serving & Presentation

• Large turkey platter (with a well to catch juices)
• Gravy boat + ladle
• Extra-large serving bowls (for mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc.)
• Serving spoons/forks (at least 8–10)
• Pie server + cake/pie stands
• Butter dish
• Salt & pepper cellars or shakers on the table

Table & Dining

• Tablecloths or runners (2–3 so you can swap out spills)
• Cloth napkins (1.5× the number of guests) or nice paper ones
• Place cards (optional but helpful with big groups)
• Extra folding table or card tables + tablecloths to cover them
• Folding chairs or bench seating
• Charger plates (make cheap plates look fancy instantly)

Beverages

• 2–3 beverage tubs or large buckets for ice + drinks
• Wine opener & bottle stoppers
• Pitchers for water, iced tea, cider
• Ice (way more than you think — 2 lbs per person)
• Disposable cups + sharpie (for people to write names)

Kitchen Backup Supplies

• Extra sheet pans (2–3)
• Slow cooker(s) for keeping things warm
• Warming tray or electric griddle
• Tons of storage containers (leftovers!)
• Zip-top bags (quart & gallon)
• Plastic wrap, foil, parchment paper
• Sharp knives + cutting boards (one dedicated to turkey carving) Note: I own the sharpening knife set myself and they truly are the best!

Cleaning & Sanity-Savers

• Trash bags (contractor strength) + multiple cans/bins
• Paper towels (3–4 rolls minimum)
• Dishwasher detergent + extra sponges + Dish Liquid
• Stain remover (kids + cranberry sauce = disaster)
• Aprons (at least 2)

Nice-to-Haves That Feel Essential Once Guests Arrive

• Extension cords & power strips (slow cookers everywhere)
• Command hooks (for coats if no coat closet)
• Extra toilet paper & hand soap in every bathroom
• Scented candle (to combat turkey smell all weekend, but be aware pets and scents do not mix well)
• Bluetooth speaker (background music keeps the vibe calm)

Grocery “Don’t Run Out” Items

• Butter (at least 2–3 lbs)
• Chicken/turkey stock (3–4 cartons)
• Heavy cream
• Fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley)
• Lemons (for everything)

Pro tip:

Do a “table dry-run” 2–3 days before. Set the entire table with every plate, glass, and serving piece you plan to use. You’ll instantly see what’s missing.

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-Willow Moss

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links in the Moss & Ink Gift Guide are Amazon affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the guide free and supports more local features—thank you for shopping small and smart! 🎁