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Thanksgiving Potluck Sign-Up Sheet
(free online list)

Coordinate the turkey, sides, pies, and drinks — without a spreadsheet or a printout.

Hosting Thanksgiving means juggling 12+ dishes, mixed dietary needs, and at least one cousin who forgets what they promised. A printed sheet is out of date the moment someone changes their mind. This list updates itself, and everyone sees the same version.   Free, no accounts, ready in 60 seconds.

Create your online invitation

See a live Thanksgiving sign-up

A real Whocan potluck poll, pre-filled with Thanksgiving categories. Click around — your changes won't be saved.

Live demo · Click anywhere to try
whocan.org/en/sample-poll
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What to bring to Thanksgiving — the classic categories

Most Thanksgiving hosts pre-fill these dish categories. Adjust based on your guest list.

🦃 The Turkey

Almost always the host's job. If a guest is bringing it, double-check oven space and timing.

🥖 Stuffing & Dressing

Bread-based stuffing or cornbread dressing — pick one or split into two sign-ups.

🥔 Mashed Potatoes

One huge bowl is plenty for 8-10 people. Avoid the four-bowls-of-mashed-potatoes problem.

🍠 Sweet Potato

Casserole with marshmallows, or roasted with herbs — pre-pick the style.

🍒 Cranberry Sauce

Homemade or canned, both welcome. One person, one bowl.

🥧 Pumpkin & Pecan Pies

One of each is the classic combo. Add apple pie if your group is bigger than 10.

🥗 Salad / Veggie Side

Lighter dish for vegetarians and the "I can't eat one more carb" crowd.

🍷 Drinks

Wine, cider, sparkling water. Aim for one bottle per two adults.

Thanksgiving etiquette — for hosts and guests

For the host

Send the sign-up sheet 3-4 weeks ahead. Provide the turkey and basics (plates, utensils, ice). Confirm dietary restrictions in advance.

For guests

Pick a category that matches your kitchen capacity — don't sign up for the turkey if you've never cooked one. Ask about transport (hot vs cold dishes).

Multi-generation gatherings

Mark dishes as kid-friendly, vegetarian, or contains-allergen. Grandma needs to know what's in everything.

Office Thanksgiving potluck

Workplace potlucks need more categories and fewer assumptions — no one knows who cooks. Split into main dishes, sides, desserts, drinks, and plates/utensils, and let people sign up for the store-bought lane without explaining themselves. A link in the team chat reaches everyone; a sheet on the break-room door does not.

The day-of

Coordinate arrival times so the oven isn't full when someone needs to reheat. Bring containers for leftovers — the host's tupperware will not survive.

Whocan vs spreadsheet vs printed list

Most Thanksgiving sign-up sheets you'll find online are printable PDFs. Here's how a printed list compares to a spreadsheet and to Whocan for the family-meal coordination problem.

Feature Whocan Recommended Google Sheet Printed list
No accounts ✓ Account for editor ✓
Live updates on phone ✓ ✓ ✗
Prevents duplicates automatically ✓ Manual Manual
Share via WhatsApp / iMessage ✓ link ✓ link ✗ photo only
Dietary tags ✓ built-in Manual columns Manual notes
Cap per item (e.g. 1 turkey) ✓ Manual Manual
Setup time ~60 seconds ~10 minutes ~5 minutes

Set up your Thanksgiving in 3 steps

1. Pick the Thanksgiving template

1. Pick the Thanksgiving template

Start with pre-filled categories — turkey, stuffing, sides, pies, drinks. Adjust to match your guest count.

2. Share the link

2. Share the link

Send via WhatsApp, email, iMessage. Guests sign up with one click — no account needed.

3. See who brings what

3. See who brings what

Watch the list fill up live. Categories close once they're claimed — no four pumpkin pies on the table.

Other holiday potlucks

FAQs about Thanksgiving potlucks

What is a Thanksgiving potluck?
A Thanksgiving potluck is a Thanksgiving meal where every guest brings a dish — turkey, sides, pies, drinks — instead of one host cooking everything. It's the easiest way to handle a 10-15 person family meal without anyone burning out.
What should I bring to a Thanksgiving potluck?
Check the sign-up sheet first. Common categories: a side dish (mashed potatoes, sweet potato, stuffing, salad), a pie, drinks, or bread. If unsure, message the host — they'll always know what's missing.
How do I make sure no one brings the same dish?
Use a sign-up sheet with category caps. Once one guest claims "mashed potatoes" the option closes — the next guest sees only what's still open. No coordination calls needed.
When should I send the Thanksgiving sign-up?
3-4 weeks before. Long enough that everyone can plan and shop, short enough that no one forgets. Send a reminder 3 days before the event.
Can I cap how many of each dish?
Yes. Set a maximum per category — "1 turkey," "2 pies," "1 stuffing" — so you don't end up with three turkeys and no salad.
What should be on a Thanksgiving potluck list?
For 10-15 guests: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, a sweet potato dish, cranberry sauce, a green vegetable, a salad, bread or rolls, two pies, and drinks. That's ten categories, so most guests bring one thing and a few bring two. Add plates, ice, and serving spoons as their own sign-ups — those are the things everyone assumes someone else brought.
Can I print the Thanksgiving sign-up sheet?
You can print the page from your browser, but you'll get a snapshot of that moment — the whole point of a live list is that it keeps changing. Most hosts share the link instead and let guests check it on their phones. If you want something on the fridge, print it the morning of, once the sign-ups have settled.
How do I organize a Thanksgiving potluck at work?
Post the link in your team chat rather than a sheet by the coffee machine — remote colleagues can sign up too, and nobody has to walk over to see what's left. Use more categories than you would for a family meal, keep a store-bought lane so people who don't cook can still contribute, and cap the desserts before you end up with nine.
How is this different from a Friendsgiving potluck?
Same coordination tool, different vibe. Thanksgiving is the family holiday with traditional dishes; Friendsgiving is the friends-only version, usually held the weekend before or after.