Last-Minute Thanksgiving: A Simple, Stress-Free Guide for When You're Short on Time

If Thanksgiving snuck up on you this year, you are absolutely not alone. Maybe you worked late, forgot to plan, got overwhelmed, or you just don’t feel like doing the most. Whatever the reason—don’t panic. You can still pull off a warm, delicious, beautiful Thanksgiving with minimal time, money, and stress.

This is your Last-Minute Thanksgiving Guide: simple recipes, quick decor ideas, and easy ways to create cozy gratitude moments (even if people are showing up in a few hours).

 Last-Minute Menu (Easy, Fast, & Still Feels Homemade)

No thawing a turkey. No complicated recipes. No 12-step desserts. These quick options save time but still feel special.

Rotisserie Chicken — Grab two from the grocery store, drizzle warm herb butter on top, and boom: instant “homemade.”
Quick Mashed Potatoes — Use Yukon gold potatoes (they cook faster). Mash with butter, garlic, and cream. No peeling needed.
Sheet-Pan Green Beans — Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon. Roast for 15 minutes.
Honey-Glazed Carrots — Slice, toss with butter + honey + salt, bake 20 minutes.
Store-Bought Rolls — Brush with melted butter and flaky salt, warm them up, and no one will ever know.
Last-Minute Dessert — Apple crisp (takes 10 minutes to prep) or a bakery pie with vanilla ice cream.

If you have less than 90 minutes, choose: one main, two sides, one simple dessert. That’s it.

Last-Minute Decor (10 Minutes or Less)

You do not need fancy centerpieces or themed decor. Use what you already have.

Candles — Mix heights and styles for instant ambiance.
Neutral table runner — Or fold a blanket/scarf down the center of the table for texture.
Fruit bowl centerpiece — Apples, pears, or citrus look chic instantly.
Glass jars with tea lights — Quick, warm, cozy.
String lights — If you’ve got them, use them.

Keep everything simple and calm. Minimal decor actually feels more elegant when you’re in a rush.

Quick Gratitude Moments That Don’t Feel Forced

Even last-minute Thanksgiving can be meaningful. Try one:

1-Minute Gratitude Circle: Everyone shares one thing they appreciate from this year.
Write It Down: Pass index cards or torn paper and let everyone drop them in a bowl.
Gratitude Toast: Say one short thing you’re thankful for before the meal. That’s enough.

These take less than five minutes but shift the whole feeling of the night.

Quick Cozy Playlist for Background Vibes

Play soft soul, jazz, and acoustic music. You want something calm enough for talking but warm enough to make the space feel intentional.

“Best Part” — H.E.R. & Daniel Caesar

“Come Away With Me” — Norah Jones

“Say Yes” — Floetry

“Banana Pancakes” — Jack Johnson

“Holocene” — Bon Iver

“At Last” — Etta James

For the full playlist in Spotify: Thanksgiving Dinner 2025 Playlist

If You’re Really Really Out of Time… Do This:

Buy a ready-made Thanksgiving meal from the grocery store.
Add fresh herbs or lemon slices on top for a “homemade” look.
Light some candles.
Put everything on real plates instead of the containers it came in.
Turn on the playlist.

Done. You just hosted Thanksgiving.

Final Thoughts: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

People don’t remember whether your rolls were handmade or store-bought. They remember the warmth, the atmosphere, the laughter, and the connection.

Last-minute Thanksgiving can still feel beautiful, intentional, and full of gratitude. Keep it simple. Keep it calm. Keep it cozy.

You’ve got this — and dinner is going to be amazing.

Xx,

LuvBritt

7 Sunday-Night Rituals That Reset My Week

There’s something about Sunday nights. The light feels softer, my playlist gets slower, and I start thinking about how I want to feel when Monday comes. Not rushed. Not behind. Just ready, calm, and centered.

These little rituals aren’t about perfection—they’re small things that help me begin my week with peace and purpose.

1. Tidy the Spaces That Hold Me

I light a candle, put on my cozy playlist, and do a “soft reset” around my home—folding blankets, clearing counters, fluffing pillows. It’s not deep cleaning; it’s clearing visual noise so my mind can rest.

Tip: End your tidy session by spraying a favorite room mist. It signals to your brain that home is refreshed and ready for a new week.

2. Reset My Laundry & Wardrobe

Nothing feels worse than scrambling for outfits Monday morning. I'm notoriously tardy everywhere, even for my own peace. I wash a quick load, set aside 3–4 outfits, and hang them in order. Matching sets, soft sweaters, and scents like clean cotton make me feel pulled-together without effort.

Soft-girl move: Lay your outfit for Monday where the sunlight will hit it first thing. Something majestic about it. Can't explain it.

3. Prep a Simple Meal That Loves Me Back

I like to end Sunday with a bowl of something warm—maybe roasted veggies, banana nut bread, or a comfort soup from LushandLadle.com. Cooking slowly is therapy, and meal-prepping even one or two lunches helps future-me breathe easier.

Idea: Keep a “Reset Bowl” recipe list—a few go-to meals you make on autopilot.

4. Stretch + Stillness

I dim the lights and do a 10-minute stretch on my mat in the stillness, quiet and peace. I check in with my body—hips, shoulders, breath. It’s my mini-ceremony to release the week that was and welcome the one that’s coming.

Optional: End with a short prayer or affirmation: “I am grounded, rested, and ready for what’s next.”

5. Skincare + Slow Showers

I turn my bathroom into a tiny spa—steam, exfoliate, oils, music and always candles. No rush. Just care. Taking time with my skin reminds me that softness can be strength too.  Standing in the shower, letting that hot water droplets hit my body as I practice mindful breathing truly releases the world's cares in that moment.  I love rose or lavender scented shower tabs and have an extensive glass face evening routine that is super hydrating.  Let me know if you wish to know the details!

Pro-tip: Place your favorite lotion in warm water for a few minutes before using—instant luxury.

6. Journal + Gratitude Dump

Let’s be honest — it’s not always easy to feel grateful. The world feels heavy sometimes. We’re constantly scrolling through other people’s highlight reels, juggling responsibilities, trying to be “grateful” while bills are due, the group chat’s quiet, and the news cycle is chaos. Gratitude can feel forced — like one more thing to check off the self-care list.

But that’s exactly why it matters. Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything’s perfect — it’s about finding small moments that remind you life still has warmth. The way the sunlight hits your mug in the morning. The friend who texts back “got you” without you having to explain. The breath you didn’t realize you were holding until you finally exhaled.

When you journal tonight, don’t sugarcoat it. Write the mess. The frustration. The “I don’t feel thankful right now” moments. Then, somewhere in that tangle, look for one spark of good — something tiny but true. That’s where gratitude grows. Not in perfection, but in presence. In that moment, I light my journal candle, open my notebook, and write three simple things:

1. What I learned this week.

2. What I’m releasing.

3. What I’m welcoming in.

Sometimes it’s messy handwriting, scattered ADHD thoughts or half-sentences, but that’s the point. It clears the clutter so my thoughts don’t follow me into Monday. It's just want I need to begin my week on a positive note.

7. Create a Soft Morning Plan

Before bed, I jot a tiny Monday plan—nothing rigid, just gentle anchors: morning prayer, water first, affirmations, breakfast (MAYBE) or a smoothie, top 3 tasks. I close my laptop early and choose rest over worry. Huge to do this, but it takes time to learn to release.

Reminder: You deserve a calm start. You don’t have to earn rest.

Final Thought

Sunday nights aren’t for stress—they’re for soft resets and of course FOOTBALL. Every time I honor these tiny moments, my Mondays greet me with ease.  Still remains a work in progress, but each week I get a step closer and so can you.

Here’s your permission slip:
Light your candle. Fold your blanket. Write your list. You don’t need a big overhaul—just a few quiet rituals that whisper, “You’ve got this.” And you do!

Xx,

LuvBritt