Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is only three weeks away, which means you better start putting together your meal prep grocery list right now and start buying whatever ingredients you need this weekend. While the big turkey dinner is the main attraction for Thanksgiving Day, as well as pumpkin pie, make sure to get all the essentials that will make your day go by more smoothly - aka, less stressful.

Trust me when I say that finding ways to make Thanksgiving Day go perfectly can be a life saver. Last year, I volunteered to do most of the cooking/baking, which I didn't mind taking on the task, but between getting up really early, cooking/baking, cleaning, and practically babysitting my little cousins, I was already worn out by the time I went to the Black Friday sales (well, Thanksgiving evening sales).

I'm once again going to be doing the majority (if not all) of the cooking and baking, but I'm going to be more prepared this time. This year, I'm teaming up with the great people at Oriental Trading to bring you this post, titled "Clever Items to Simplify Your Thanksgiving!



Cleaning up after a Thanksgiving meal can take a bit of time and energy, so this year I'm going the paper plate route! Oriental Trading has a big selection of different paper and plastic plates, and I went with the "Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Plates." The sturdy paper plates measures 11" and retails for $2.99 for one package containing 8 plates, but it's currently on sale for $1.98. Additionally, I got the matching "Thanksgiving Turkey Dessert Plates," which comes in a package of 8 paper plates (7") and retails for $1.79 per unit. I also got the 5" "Thanksgiving Turkey Beverage Napkins." There are 16 napkins in one package, which retails for $1.99, but it's currently on sale for $.98.

Of course, the last thing I want to do on Thanksgiving is to wash a bunch of silverware, so the next item on my list is the "Chocolate High Count Cutlery Set." The set contains 70 plastic forks, 70 plastic spoons, and 70 plastic knives, which retails only for $9.99! If you don't like the chocolate color, don't worry, as the set is available in other colors.

Lastly, I picked out the "Clear Plastic Cup Set," which retains for $5.99. That's a great price for 50 cups!


A small centerpiece or decoration can go along way on a dinner table, coffee table, or just about anywhere in a home. Oriental Trading has a big section of DIY craft kits for children and adults that can be used for a centerpiece, or you can buy a decor to display. I picked out the "Carved Thanksgiving Pumpkin Set" (look at the picture above). The set includes three decor pumpkins with metal leaves and wire vines. The pumpkins are between 5" to 6" tall. Each one has a printed saying - "Give Thanks," "Be Joyful," and "Be Thankful."

While the pumpkins are small, they are adorable and will look great as a Thanksgiving centerpiece.