Happy Wednesday, Sweet Friend!

We’re just a few weeks away from Thanksgiving — that magical day that everyone loves. It's a foodie's Super Bowl, and I want to make it a *little easier* for you!

Before the chaos of gravy, pies, and timers begins, take a few minutes to make sure your kitchen is stocked with the basics that actually make cooking (and hosting!) easier. These are the workhorses I reach for all season long — and honestly, all year round.

🥄 Ashley’s Prepsgiving Kitchen Must-Haves

1. Half Sheet Pans with Cooling Racks​
From baking cookies to roasting veggies to making Chex Mix, these pans are the unsung heroes of my kitchen. I keep at least two ready at all times — one for dinner, one for dessert.

2. Stainless Steel Tongs (no rubber ends, please!)​
Y’all, I love you, but if you’re using those rubber-tipped tongs to lift your turkey… you’re living dangerously. 😅 The rubber slips right off and chaos ensues. Go full stainless — they’re sturdy, reliable, and last forever.

3. Cordless Hand Mixer​
I will never stop talking about this little wonder. It’s one of my most-used tools, and I’ve probably only charged it twice this year. Perfect for whipped cream, mashed potatoes, or last-minute baking sprees.

4. Cheeseboard with Lid & Compartments​
A cheeseboard… with a lip and a lid?! Game-changer. Use it for taco toppings, chili fixings, or your Prepsgiving snack board. Make it ahead, pop the lid on, and pull it out when guests arrive. Bonus: it makes a fantastic hostess gift.

5. Enamelware Roasting Pan​
Big enough for your turkey, beautiful enough to go from oven to table. I love enamelware — it cooks evenly, cleans up easily, and lasts forever.

I have a FULL list of items I use and flipping love for the Holiday season in this Amazon List! Check it out, treat yoself, and remember... You are worth it!

P.S. These are affiliate links — so if you snag something, I earn a little commission (at no extra cost to you!). Yay for me, yay for you, yay for cozy kitchens!

🦃 Quick Prepsgiving Tips

• Create a “Holiday Prep Bin:" Grab a large basket or bin and corral everything you’ll need for cooking week — parchment paper, foil, twine, meat thermometer, turkey baster, those serving spoons that always go missing. Having it all in one place keeps your kitchen calm when the cooking chaos begins.
• Check your tools now, not Thanksgiving morning. If your whisk is wonky or your peeler dull, replace it before the holiday rush. This week is a fantastic week to do a little kitchen declutter... Make sure your drawers open smoothly, and you have everything you need, when you need it.
• Restock the Staples: Salt, pepper, butter, flour, sugar, and chicken stock — check them now. There’s nothing worse than realizing mid-pie or mid-gravy that you’re out of a basic ingredient. Stocking up early means you can skip those frantic pre-holiday grocery lines (and reward yourself with a cozy night in).
• Do a Dry Run Dinner: Pick one or two dishes you plan to serve on Thanksgiving — maybe your stuffing or a side you’ve been curious about — and make them now. You’ll get to test the flavors, make any tweaks, and freeze a batch for the big day. Future-you will be thrilled, and you’ll head into Thanksgiving feeling like a total pro. Plus, why does Thanksgiving day get all the recipes?!

✨ A Little Hosting Reminder

Gathering people in your home doesn’t require perfection — it just takes intention. Whether you’re hosting five friends or feeding yourself by candlelight, every shared meal makes the world a little warmer.

So light the good candle, make the nice meal, and open your door. Hospitality is hope in action, and it starts right where you are.

With warmth and a whisk in hand,
​Ashley 💛