I’ve Hosted Thanksgiving for 10 Years—These Are My 11 Hosting Essentials

1. An Oster Roaster Oven That Frees Up the Oven

Oster 22-Quart Roaster Oven

I love my Oster roaster. Someone recommended one to me years ago, before I even began hosting, and it’s one of my favorite appliances I’ve ever purchased. It cooks my turkey beautifully year after year and leaves the oven available for stuffing, casseroles and everything else.

The self-basting lid is one of my favorite features. When the turkey finishes early, which seems to happen every year, I switch the roaster to keep warm while I finish dinner. In my experience, the turkey stays moist.

The 22-quart model has room for a turkey up to 26 pounds, according to Oster’s size guide. The biggest adjustment is timing: a roaster can cook faster than a conventional oven, so don’t follow your usual oven schedule without checking the turkey’s temperature.

2. A Thermal Coffee Maker for the Dessert Crowd

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker

We use a single-serve coffee maker every day, but hosting a graduation party taught me that making 20 individual coffees is not ideal. When everyone wants coffee with dessert, nobody wants to wait while you make cup after cup. I bought a carafe coffee maker so I wouldn’t have to do that again.

This BLACK+DECKER coffee maker has a stainless steel, vacuum-sealed carafe designed to keep coffee hot for up to two hours, according to the manufacturer. It also has programmable brewing and a strength selector, so you can schedule a pot and choose a stronger brew.

One useful detail: its 12-cup capacity is based on approximately five-ounce cups, or about 60 ounces total. That’s roughly six 10-ounce servings, so a group like mine will still need more than one pot.

3. A Warming Mat for the Side Dishes

iTRUSOU 24-by-16-Inch Warming Mat

A warming mat is a new addition to my hosting arsenal, and I’m especially excited to use one for Thanksgiving. When several side dishes are ready before everything else, having a heated serving surface appeals to me much more than trying to squeeze them all back into the oven.

This iTRUSOU warming mat has a 24-by-16-inch silicone surface, three heat settings and a roll-up design. The flat surface accommodates multiple compatible serving dishes, depending on their size, and the flexible design rolls up after use instead of leaving you with another rigid warming tray to store.

I’ll be using it to hold hot food for serving, with the food’s temperature checked separately from the mat’s setting.

4. A Folding Table for Dinner, Dessert or Extra Food

Amazon Basics 6-Foot Folding Table

Our dining room table seats six, so extra tables are a must when we host. We have two: one usually becomes additional dinner seating, and the other holds snacks, sides people bring, desserts or drinks. That second table is useful even when we don’t need every extra seat.

This Amazon Basics six-foot table folds in half and has a carrying handle. That gives you a full-length serving or dining surface for the gathering, then a shorter folded piece to put away afterward.

5. Padded Folding Chairs for Extra Dinner Seating

OLIXIS Padded Folding Chairs, Set of 4

With a dining table that seats six and a guest list that can reach 20, we use plenty of extra chairs. They’re one of those purchases that come out again for birthdays, graduation parties and holiday dinners.

This OLIXIS set includes four black folding chairs with padded seats and backs and metal frames. I picked the padded option with a sit-down meal in mind, and the folding design makes them practical to keep on hand between gatherings.

6. Acacia Bowls for Dips, Olives and Appetizers

LAVAUX DESIGNS Acacia Dipping Bowls, Set of 6

Chips and dip are always welcome on my appetizer table. Spinach dip? Yes, please. I like having serving bowls ready for snacks before the main meal, and these acacia bowls are so pretty.

The set includes six hand-carved wooden bowls, each holding four fluid ounces. That makes them useful for small servings of dip, olives, nuts or sauces on an appetizer board. For a big batch of spinach dip, I’d use a larger serving bowl and keep these for the smaller accompaniments.

7. A Slow Cooker That Takes One More Dish Off the Stove

Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker

I always find a use for my slow cooker during the holidays. It’s great for keeping gravy or a cooked vegetable side warm while everything else comes together. One less thing on the stove is a win when you’re finishing Thanksgiving dinner.

This seven-quart Crock-Pot has manual high, low and warm settings, plus a removable stoneware insert and a dishwasher-safe lid and insert. The larger capacity makes it an option for a family-size side dish; for gravy alone, I’d reach for a smaller cooker.

8. Serving Spoons So Every Side Dish Has One

Hiware 8-Piece Serving Spoon Set

I feel like I’m always digging through drawers looking for serving spoons. I finally bought a bunch so each side dish would have one, instead of searching for another spoon while dinner is ready to serve.

This Hiware set includes four solid spoons and four slotted spoons, all made from dishwasher-safe 18/8 stainless steel. The solid spoons suit mashed potatoes and stuffing, while the slotted ones let liquid drain from vegetables. Each spoon measures 8.6 inches long.

9. A White Serving Platter to Use Year After Year

Lenox French Perle White Oval Serving Platter

I have a beautiful all-white platter with a turkey design that I scored on clearance for five dollars. I absolutely love it. You don’t need an expensive serving piece, just something you’ll enjoy bringing out year after year.

This Lenox French Perle is a pretty alternative to mine. The 16-inch oval platter is made from stoneware, with a raised beaded pattern and an antiqued border. It’s microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and the white design works for carved turkey at Thanksgiving or appetizers at another gathering.

10. A Smart Thermometer to Check the Turkey Without Lifting the Lid

TempPro Wireless Meat Thermometer with Standalone Display

We use a smart thermometer to monitor our turkey without opening the oven door or lifting the roaster lid. Technically, it’s my husband’s thermometer, but I’ve happily made it part of our Thanksgiving routine. I can watch the temperature on the unit or my phone while I work on everything else.

This TempPro caught my attention as another option. It includes two wireless probes, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a standalone LCD base, so checking the reading doesn’t require opening an app. Being able to follow the turkey’s progress with the lid closed is what makes a smart thermometer so useful in our setup.

11. A Countertop Ice Maker for Guests’ Drinks

Frigidaire Compact Countertop Ice Maker

Oh, and an ice maker! I own this Frigidaire countertop model, and it’s so helpful when hosting. With 12–20 people coming for dinner and usually a handful more for dessert, having another source of ice for drinks is a welcome addition.

This countertop ice maker is rated to produce up to 26 pounds of ice over 24 hours. That’s its daily production rating, rather than the amount it holds at once, so it makes ice in batches throughout use.