The Keller Estate Thanksgiving Checklist: Plan Ahead, Enjoy the Day

We like to start planning for any large event with a good checklist. A little planning now means you get to enjoy the day instead of running around the kitchen. Here is ours.

1. Send Your Invitations

Get invitations out early so you have a headcount. Everything else depends on knowing how many chairs, plates, and bottles you need.

2. Ask About Dietary Restrictions

Gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free, nut allergies. Ask when you invite, not the night before. It makes menu planning much easier and every guest feels welcome at the table.

3. Plan the Menu

At the Keller household, we like to cook, and we always love a good challenge. Most of the time, the turkey honors go to the household hosting, and the guests arrive with the sides.

Have a gluten free guest or someone with other restrictions? Ask them to bring a dish that suits their needs. This way you make it easy for everyone, and they know there is something on the table they can enjoy.

Our tip: give your guests a theme. When everyone cooks with the same idea in mind, the meal comes together naturally. A few we love:

Mexican Inspired: Mole for the turkey, chipotle sweet potatoes, cornbread with green chile, esquites.

Harvest Market: Whatever looks best at the farmers market. Roasted squash, Brussels sprouts, apple and fennel salad.

Mediterranean: Herb and lemon turkey, roasted vegetables with olive oil, farro salad, pomegranate and citrus.

Southern Comfort: Biscuits, collard greens, mac and cheese, pecan pie.

Family Heirloom: Each guest brings a dish from their family’s recipe box, along with the story behind it.

4. Stock the Refreshments

Last but not least, make sure you have refreshments for everyone.

La Cruz Chardonnay is barrel fermented, creamy, and rich, with oak notes that pair beautifully with roasted turkey, gravy, and buttery sides.

La Cruz Pinot Noir brings bright red fruit and soft tannins that work with both white and dark meat, plus cranberry sauce and stuffing.

Open both and let your guests pour what they like.

How much wine? Plan on one bottle for every two wine drinkers. If your crowd likes to linger at the table, plan closer to one bottle per person. Each bottle pours about five glasses.

We also love to have a few non-alcoholic options ready, so every guest has something to raise at the toast.

Enjoy the Day

With the list checked off, all that is left is to gather, eat well, and give thanks. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.