At the heart of the minimalist lifestyle is the intention to simplify your world. It’s about finding ways to make less count for more and to make decisions based on your personal values, focusing on what really matters.
When it comes to something like Thanksgiving, traditionally a day of feast, food and family, that can also come with big expectations for a grand affair and over-the-top decorations, lavish food and recipes. A minimalist Thanksgiving seeks to keep what matters and strip down the rest.
According to a 2023 poll by the American Psychological Association, 89% of those asked said they felt stressed about this time of year (November to January), due to:
- potential family conflict
- missing loved ones
- not having enough money
While some things can’t be accounted for by applying the minimalist approach, some can. Simplifying the menu, the guest list and even the clean up afterwards can really make an impact on your mental and financial health.
Let’s take a look at some suggestions on how you can strip down the Thanksgiving experience while still including all the wonderful traditions you’ve come to look forward to.
6 Ways to Simplify: The Minimalist Thanksgiving
Let me tell you about how I transformed my Thanksgiving from a stress-filled extravaganza into a meaningful, minimalist celebration that I (and my family) actually enjoy!
Gone are the days of endless dishes, overwhelming decorations, and that post-holiday feeling of “why did I do all that?” Here’s what my minimalist Thanksgiving looks like now.
The Menu: Simple But Delicious
I used to make seven different sides, three desserts, and enough food to feed an army. Now? I stick to the essentials:
- One perfect turkey (or for smaller gatherings, just a breast)
- Three sides that everyone actually eats (in my case, mashed potatoes, green beans, and stuffing)
- One dessert (usually pumpkin pie, because of traditions!)
Here’s the thing I discovered: nobody missed those extra dishes that took hours to prepare and barely got touched.
A Full Thanksgiving Feast for Under $60 | Budget-Friendly Recipes
The Decor: Nature Does It Best
Instead of buying new decorations every year, I keep it simple:
- A bowl of seasonal fruits and vegetables as a centerpiece
- Some pine cones and leaves gathered from outside
- A few unscented candles
That’s it! No more storing boxes of Thanksgiving-specific decorations that I’ll use once a year.
Note: We’re not party-pooping on the folks who just love decorating as part of the holiday experience!
If that’s part of what brings you joy and that happy feeling you get, then you should absolutely go for it. But if you’re splurging here, maybe you focus on cutting back somewhere else. You could also minimize by paring down your decorating collection to the pieces you truly treasure to help simplify – and cut down on storage space.
The Schedule: Room to Breathe
My old schedule was packed minute-by-minute. Now, my Thanksgiving looks more like this:
- Morning: Coffee and parade on TV (some traditions are worth keeping!)
- Late morning: Start cooking (with everything planned and prepped the day before)
- Afternoon: Early dinner when everyone’s actually hungry
- Evening: Relaxing, maybe a walk, and genuine conversation
No more rushing around or feeling exhausted by 3 PM.
The Guest List: Quality Over Quantity
I have learned that smaller gatherings can be more meaningful for myself and my partner. Instead of trying to accommodate everyone I know, I focus on:
- Immediate family and closest friends
- A number that fits comfortably around my table
- People who genuinely want to be there
Note: This doesn’t mean you need to rudely cross people off your list who have been coming for ages. But really think about who you want to take part.
For example, If there’s someone in your circle who tends to cause a lot of drama or tension, consider spending time with them doing something else, like going to a movie the night before or for lunch the next day. This can minimize the stress the day of.
Also, if you treasure having a big crowd, but feel the stress in your head or your wallet, ask for more help this year, thus minimizing the pressure on you to do (and pay for) everything. People like to contribute and it may be a better solution to change things up this way than to add extra pressure if you feel weird cutting people out.
The Clean-Up: Manageable and Easy
Here’s how I keep post-dinner cleanup from becoming a nightmare:
- I use real dishes (better for the environment and more enjoyable)
- I clean as I cook
- I accept help when offered (this was a hard one for me!)
- Leftovers go into containers I’ve set aside beforehand
The Focus: What Really Matters
The best part about minimalist Thanksgiving? It creates space for what I think the holiday is actually about:
- Having real conversations
- Enjoying time with loved ones
- Feeling grateful, not stressed
- Creating memories, not Instagram moments
4 Tips I’ve Learned Along the Way
Prep is Everything:
I do all my shopping three days before and prep most dishes the day before. This means I actually give myself time to enjoy Thanksgiving Day.
Accept Imperfection:
Not everything needs to be homemade. If someone wants to bring a store-bought pie, I say thank you!
Start New Traditions:
Some of our best traditions started by accident, like our post-dinner walk or our gratitude jar.
Involve Others:
I used to think I had to do everything myself. Now I know it’s more fun when everyone participates!
The Money Aspect
Here’s a bonus I didn’t expect: minimalist Thanksgiving is cheaper!
By focusing on quality over quantity, I:
- Buy less food that won’t get eaten
- Don’t waste money on decorations
- Have lower stress levels (priceless!)
What I Don’t Miss
Looking back, I definitely don’t miss:
- The pressure to make everything “perfect”
- Endless dishes to wash
- Feeling too exhausted to enjoy the holiday
- Storing decorations all year
- The financial strain of overdoing it
The Minimalist Thanksgiving: The Bottom Line
My minimalist Thanksgiving might not look like the elaborate spreads you see on social media, but it’s become one of my favorite days of the year.
It’s calm, meaningful, and completely enjoyable. Plus, I’m not so exhausted that I can’t enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend.
Remember, minimalism doesn’t mean giving up everything you love about the holiday. It means focusing on what truly matters to you and your loved ones.
For me, that’s good food, great company, and genuine gratitude – no excess required.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by holiday expectations, try scaling back. You might find, like I did, that less really is more, especially when it comes to Thanksgiving.
