15 Under $50 Items Perfect For Hosting The Most Sophisticated Thanksgiving Dinner Ever

If you've agreed to host Thanksgiving dinner this year , congratulations! You've signed yourself up for chaos. Yes, it's nice to have everyone over, but there are likely a few things you forgot about prior to signing up. Such as, "How do people get everything ready on time with only four stovetop burners?" and "Do I even have enough glassware for everyone?"

Have no fear — Thanksgiving celebrations come in all shapes and sizes. Maybe yours is an intimate dinner with just a few relatives, or perhaps you're envisioning more of a potluck, where people bring their own dishes to help with the burden. Whether or not your big night is big or small, you still need to prepare.

Hosting a meal is a big event, filled with a lot of pressure. So a little retail therapy is also good to really get you in a positive mood. You might not be able to control the conversation between your relatives , but you can control the vibe your home gives off. A few new items will give you more confidence.

Luckily, plenty of retailers have items that will make your Thanksgiving dinner shine without putting you in debt. You don't have to spend a fortune to have a dinner that looks classy. Even if these items only make an appearance annually, you'll still be glad that they're in your inventory just in case a spontaneous dinner or gathering happens.

Here are 15 items you'll want to grab before Thanksgiving to help make your holiday memorable for everyone.

Gold Nest Serving Bowl

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CB2

You'll need plenty of serving bowls when you host Thanksgiving dinner. This one is perfect for holding bread or rolls. Just put a linen liner inside to catch any crumbs, and it'll make your table shine. As a bonus, you can use this for fruit after the holiday is over.

Shop Now: Nest Matte Gold Serving Bowl ($39.99, CB2)

Octagonal Glass Lantern

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Walmart

Sure, the focus will be on the food. But that doesn't mean you can't have subtle decorations to make your guests feel more comfortable. These gorgeous lanterns can be used year-round and can be placed all around the house.

Shop Now: Glass Lantern ($17.50, Walmart)

Lenox Mug

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Macy's

At the end of the meal, it's common to serve up coffee. But how many mugs do you have? You might want to add a few new ones to your inventory. This Lenox mug will show your sophisticated side.

Shop Now: Lenox Mug ($43, Macy's)

Turkey Plates, Set of 4

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Cost Plus World Market

You'll also want to make sure you have enough plates for your guests. The problem is, dinnerware can be expensive. That's why these turkey plates from Cost Plus World Market are such a steal. They come in a set of four for a very reasonable price.

Shop Now: Turkey Plates ($27.96, Cost Plus World Market)

Handblown Wine Glasses

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CB2

If you plan on serving wine or champagne, these handblown glasses will impress your guests. Their classy design shows that you take wine seriously. Even better, you can buy them individually, so you can always add to your collection.

Shop Now: Juliet Stemware ($12.95, CB2)

Mixing Bowl and Strainer Set

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Walmart

If you're in charge of the cooking, you'll want to make sure you have these handy. Food prep is one of the most important tasks of the day, and you deserve to have real equipment to get it right. This set is made of stainless steel and is of high quality, especially for the price.

Shop Now: Mixing Bowl and Strainer Set ($21.54, Walmart)

Gravy Boat

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Target

There's a pretty good chance that you don't have a gravy boat lying around — especially if you don't often cook big turkey dinners. A gravy boat is essential for the holiday, and this simplistic yet sophisticated porcelain gravy boat from Target will be a welcome addition to the dinner table.

Shop Now: Gravy Boat ($6.29, Target)

Kitchen Utensil Set

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Walmart

Sure, these items may be hiding in the kitchen — but they're still mandatory if you want to pull off an excellent dinner. This kitchen utensil set includes everything you need to make your Thanksgiving meal. It's also great to have spare utensils in case you're not the only one cooking in the kitchen, as things can easily get misplaced.

Shop Now: 28-Piece Kitchen Utensil and Gadget Set ($29.97, Walmart)

 

Cloth Napkins, Set of 6

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Walmart

When you sit at a dinner that has cloth napkins, you know it's a fancy occasion. Try buying some for your own home to add even more sophistication to your family dinner. These particular cotton napkins come in a berry red, making them ideal for every fall dinner you have.

Shop Now: Cotton Cloth Napkins, Set of 6 ($19.99, Walmart)

Serving Board

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Nordstrom Rack

When you bring out a serving board, your guests will know you're serious. This board would be perfect as a cheeseboard, for guests to use and enjoy prior to the big meal.

Shop Now: Feast Serving Board ($22.97, Nordstrom Rack)

Spice Grinders, Set of 2

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Nordstrom Rack

Even though your Thanksgiving dinner will be filled with flavor, sometimes you just need a little bit of salt and pepper — especially when potatoes are in the mix. These rose gold grinders will guarantee that your spices are fresh, and they'll class up the whole table.

Shop Now: Spice Grinders, Set of 2 ($17.97, Nordstrom Rack)

Plaid Tablecloth in Fall Colors

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Walmart

This tablecloth will help protect your table while giving a pop of fall color. This 100% cotton tablecloth is a festive way to bring your family together for the big Thanksgiving meal. Prices vary by size.

Shop Now: Give Thanks Plaid Tablecloth ($21.31 to $38.87, Walmart)

Pumpkin Place Card Holders, Set of 12

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Target

Nothing says "dinner party" like place cards. If your dinner is large, these will ensure that everyone finds their place at the table. They also set the tone, showing that this dinner will be more sophisticated than a standard meal. Each set comes with 12.

Shop Now: Pumpkin Place Card Holders Set ($10.39, Target)

Chip-and-Dip Tray

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Cost Plus World Market

You can use this wooden and marble chip-and-dip tray for either potato chips or cut-up veggies. If your dinner time will be later in the day, this can save you the frustration of hungry guests wandering in the kitchen, asking when meal time will be.

Shop Now: Wood and Marble Chip-and-Dip Tray ($29.99, Cost Plus World Market)

Glass Serving Set

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Walmart

If you're looking to display multiple items but don't have a lot of space, this serving set may be the perfect solution. You can use these for Thanksgiving appetizers or even to serve sugars and creamers when it comes time for after-dinner coffee.

Shop Now: 4-Piece Glass Serving Set ($20.94, Walmart)

Psst: If you choose to purchase an item on this list, LittleThings may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.