Thanksgiving potluck sign-up sheet
A big family Thanksgiving has a menu that everyone already knows and a cast of relatives who each think they are bringing the stuffing. A sign-up sheet with each dish on its own line settles it before anyone opens a recipe card.
- Free
- No ads
- No accounts for anyone
- Turkey (host)FullMaya R.
- Ham or second main1 left
- StuffingFullDev K.Aisha B.
- Mashed potatoes2 left
- Sweet potatoes1 left
- Green beans1 left
- Mac and cheese1 left
- Gravy1 left
- Cranberry sauce1 left
Start with the traditions
Every family has dishes that belong to someone. Before you share the sheet, put those names on those lines: Grandma's rolls, Uncle Ray's mac and cheese. It avoids hurt feelings and shows everyone else what is left.
Then list the rest of the classic menu as single slots: mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, gravy, cranberry sauce, salad. For a big table, double the dishes everyone reaches for first. Stuffing and potatoes go before anything else.
Turkey math
The host usually roasts the turkey. Plan about a pound and a half per person (roughly 700g) if you want leftovers. For 25 people that is around 15 kg, which is more bird than most ovens will take. Two medium turkeys, or a turkey plus a ham, is often easier. A relative who smokes or fries a second turkey at their place is a gift.
Pies
One pie for every eight people is the usual rule. Name the kinds, pumpkin, apple and pecan, each as its own slot. Otherwise you will end up with four pumpkin pies and a very quiet pecan fan.
The things nobody thinks of
- Folding tables and chairs, if you are seating more than your dining room holds
- Foil and containers for leftovers
- Ice, and a cooler to keep drinks out of the fridge
- Serving spoons, labelled with masking tape and a name
These lines fill fast once they are on the sheet. Leave them off and you're borrowing chairs from a neighbor at 2pm.
Oven and fridge
Ask relatives who are bringing hot dishes to say whether they need the oven. One oven is booked for the turkey all afternoon. Suggest dishes that can travel hot in a cooler, or that warm up in a slow cooker.
Timing
Share the sheet two to three weeks out. Remind everyone the weekend before, which is when grocery lists get written, and again the morning of with the time and "bring your serving spoon".
A ready list
The starter list above feeds about 25. Paste it into Dibs, put the family favorites against their names, and share the link in the family chat. Relatives claim a dish on their phone with no account and no ads, and they get a reminder before the shopping weekend.
Thanksgiving potluck sign-up sheet: questions
How much food do I need for a Thanksgiving potluck of 25?
Plan a turkey of roughly a pound and a half per person if you want leftovers, so about 15 kg or two birds. Add a second main, around 10 sides, rolls, three or four pies and drinks.
How many pies for Thanksgiving?
One pie for every eight people is a common rule. For 25, three or four pies. Name the kinds on the sheet or you will get four pumpkin.
Should relatives bring their famous dish?
Yes. Put it on the sheet with their name on it before you share the link, so Aunt Linda's stuffing is covered and nobody tries to replace it.
Can a church or community group use this for a Thanksgiving meal?
Yes. For a large community meal, use larger limits, such as 'Sides x10', and add volunteer lines for setup, serving and cleanup.
Related templates
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Make yours in a minute.
Start from this list, change what you need, and share one link. Nobody needs an account.