Templates / Thanksgiving potluck
Free Thanksgiving potluck sign-up sheet
Share one link and let guests claim the classics, from stuffing to pumpkin pie. Everyone sees what is already covered, so you get one green bean casserole instead of three, and nobody forgets the rolls.
What the template includes
You can rename, add or remove anything before you share it.
| Slot | People needed |
|---|---|
| Turkey or main dishOften the host. Plan 1 to 1½ lb (0.5–0.7 kg) of whole turkey per person. | 1 |
| Stuffing or dressing | 2 |
| Mashed potatoes and gravy | 2 |
| Sweet potatoes | 1 |
| Green beans or other vegetables | 2 |
| Cranberry sauce | 1 |
| Rolls or cornbread | 2 |
| Salad | 1 |
| AppetizersSomething to nibble while the turkey rests | 2 |
| PiesPumpkin, apple, pecan… | 3 |
| Other desserts | 2 |
| DrinksCider, juice, sparkling water | 2 |
| Plates, cups, napkins and cutlery | 1 |
| Containers for leftoversSo guests can take a plate home | 1 |
Thanksgiving potluck sign-up
Event: Date:
| Slot | Names |
|---|---|
| Turkey or main dish | |
| Stuffing or dressing (2 people) | |
| Mashed potatoes and gravy (2 people) | |
| Sweet potatoes | |
| Green beans or other vegetables (2 people) | |
| Cranberry sauce | |
| Rolls or cornbread (2 people) | |
| Salad | |
| Appetizers (2 people) | |
| Pies (3 people) | |
| Other desserts (2 people) | |
| Drinks (2 people) | |
| Plates, cups, napkins and cutlery | |
| Containers for leftovers |
Made with SlotSheet · slotsheet.pages.dev
How much food to plan
- Turkey: at least 1 lb (about 0.45 kg) of whole turkey per person, or 1½ lb (about 0.7 kg) if you want leftovers. A 15 lb bird feeds 10 to 15 people.
- Sides: one dish for every 4–5 guests. Most casseroles serve 8–12, but people take a spoonful of everything.
- Rolls: about two per person.
- Pies: a 9-inch pie cuts into about 8 slices, and many guests want a sliver of two kinds. Plan one pie for every 6–8 guests.
- Drinks: about one drink per person for each hour, plus water on the table.
Keep the food safe
A potluck means food traveling across town and waiting on a buffet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's basic rules keep it safe:
- Keep hot dishes at 140°F (60°C) or above and cold dishes at 40°F (4°C) or below.
- Do not leave food out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when it is above 90°F (32°C).
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and eat them within 3–4 days.
- Ask for allergens in the note: nuts in a pie crust or stuffing are easy to miss.
When is Thanksgiving?
In the United States, Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November; in Canada, it is the second Monday of October. Friendsgiving has no fixed date: many groups meet on the weekend before Thanksgiving.
| Year | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, November 26 | Monday, October 12 |
| 2027 | Thursday, November 25 | Monday, October 11 |
A simple timeline
- Two to three weeks before: share the sign-up link with the date, the time and the number of guests.
- One week before: share the link again with the dishes that are still missing.
- Two or three days before: close sign-ups and print the list.
- On the day: tape the list by the buffet and keep the oven schedule next to it.
Tips that make it go smoothly
- Settle the turkey first. It usually falls to the host, because it needs the oven for hours; guests bring dishes that travel well.
- Ask guests to say in the note whether their dish needs the oven or the fridge. Oven space is the first thing to run out on the day.
- Put the time, the number of guests and any dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, nut allergy) in the description, so nobody has to ask in the group chat.
- Give the favorites two spots each. Mashed potatoes and stuffing disappear first.
- Ask everyone to bring a serving spoon with their dish. The host never has enough.
Planning Friendsgiving and not sure which day works? Find a time with a quick poll
How it works
- Open the template and adjust the slots, dates and numbers.
- Create the sheet and save your private organizer link.
- Share the public link. People tap a slot and type their name; no account needed.
Questions
Can guests say what dish they are bringing?
Yes. Each sign-up has a note, and this template asks for the dish and any allergens, so guests with allergies can plan ahead.
Does it work for Friendsgiving?
Yes. Rename it and adjust the dishes. For a small group, a turkey breast or a roast chicken can replace the whole bird, and one spot per dish is usually enough.
Can I print it for the kitchen?
Yes. Print the finished sheet with names, or print a blank paper version from this page and let people write their names on it.
Do guests need an account?
No. They open the link, tap a dish and type their name.