Blessed or Stressed: Where Turkey Day Hosts are Feeling the Heat

Thanksgiving might be a time for gratitude, but for many Americans, it's also a marathon of meal prep and logistics. Those taking on hosting duties aren't just organizing the menu - they're having to manage the stress that comes with it (and we're not just talking about family feuds).

This year, about 1 in 3 Americans will play host, and for every one who feels blessed by Thanksgiving, there's another quietly counting down the minutes until the chaos is over.

Key Findings

• Ohio, Michigan, and North Carolina are the most stressed-out states, where hosts are already feeling the heat

• Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Arkansas, and Maryland, hosts are taking their role in stride, reporting low average stress scores

• 16.9% of Americans say hosting Turkey Day is more stressful than moving house

• More than a quarter of hosts (27.5%) say their top source of Thanksgiving anxiety is family drama

• 47.7% anticipate political or news-related tension at the table

The Joy-Stress Paradox of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude, family, and food. But for hosts, it can feel like more of a full-contact sport than a feel-good holiday. Despite this, almost 1 in 3 Americans (29.6%) will be hosting a Turkey Day dinner this year, with Florida, Texas, and Missouri leading the way.

Whether they will enjoy the challenge is a different matter. We asked 2,400 Americans across all 50 states to rate their feelings about the holiday's events on a scale of 'stressed' to 'blessed' and everything in between. While 31.9% say they feel 'completely blessed' about Thanksgiving, nearly the same number confess they'll be 'completely stressed' and pulling their hair out by the end of the day.

In fact, 16.9% of Americans believe hosting Thanksgiving is more stressful than moving to a new home, and another 10% say it's about as nerve-wracking as starting a new job or planning a wedding.

This joy-stress paradox becomes even clearer in states like Georgia, where hosts are bracing for an emotional rollercoaster. The state ranks third most 'blessed' when looking at average stress scores for both hosts and guests, yet it's also third for worries over guest dynamics and arguments (57.6%). Georgia hosts are also among the least confident in their hosting ability, which no doubt adds an element of pressure.

The United (Stressed-Out) States of America

If stress had a ZIP code, it would be in Ohio. While Thanksgiving guests in the Buckeye State are busy soaking up the good vibes, their hosts are another story, reporting the highest stress levels in the country, with an average score of 7.00 out of 7. Close behind are Michigan (6.98) and North Carolina (6.39), where hosts are likewise gearing up for a day that's more pressure cooker than peaceful gathering.

We also asked hosts about their confidence in their hosting abilities, which often - though not always - aligned with their stress levels. In Ohio the correlation is strong. The state ranks in the bottom 10 states for hosting confidence: could this be contributing to the overall pressure? Or could it be that over half of Ohio hosts (56.3%) are worried about a side dish of politics or news being added to the table, souring the dynamic of the day? This is almost 10% higher than the US average.

In contrast, Minnesota, Arkansas, and Maryland place top 3 for the least stressed, most blessed feeling states. Not only do hosts here relish the lead-up to Thanksgiving, they're also prepared to take whatever comes their way on the day in stride. In these states, hosts are half as stressed as those who feel Thanksgiving is more of a test than a treat.

Indiana shines as an example of a state that's not even sweating it. A Thanksgiving dinner for 20-30 guests? No problem. Indiana places 4th for most blessed (or 2nd if you combine host and guest scores). Sure, 29% have some anxiety about the meal preparation and cooking, but on the whole, hosts are among the most confident in their own ability to put on a good feast (83.3%).

The Confidence Gap: Cooking Up Anxiety

Even in the age of meal kits and recipe reels, many Americans feel underqualified to handle the Thanksgiving spotlight - but low confidence doesn't always equate to higher stress levels, and vice versa. A quarter of hosts say they lack confidence in their ability, and 21.8% cite general anxiety about hosting and preparation as their biggest challenge.

From thawing a twenty-pound turkey to synchronizing side dishes, the margin for error feels razor thin. Add rising grocery prices, dietary restrictions, and different cultural cuisines into the mix, and it's easy to see why some hosts treat Thanksgiving like a high-stakes culinary exam.

This year, variety is adding both excitement and pressure. One in six hosts expect to welcome guests from different cultural backgrounds, and nearly 40% plan to serve non-traditional dishes, including Mexican, Italian, Polish, and Chinese food.

With so many moving parts, hosts in Tennessee, Georgia, and New Jersey are feeling least assured ahead of the big day. That's around 50% less than in Utah, Alaska, and Minnesota, where hosts are calm and collected.

A Side Dish of Family Feuds

What's a family gathering without conversation getting a little bit heated? This year, 27% of hosts say they're most anxious about guest dynamics or arguments, and nearly 12% admit there's one family member in particular they're dreading. Add to that half of Americans anticipating political talk at the table, and it's clear that harmony isn't always on the menu.

With Texas most likely to host a family-only gathering, you might be mistaken for thinking they're in for a tough time. But their worries aren't about who is sitting where, the politics, or the personalities - they're too focused on making sure they pull off the perfect meal. Texan hosts rank cooking, preparation time, and general hosting anxiety as main stressors over family feuds, highlighting their gratitude for getting to spend time with their loved ones, no matter what the day brings (unless it's a burnt turkey…).

Deep Breath: It's Just One Day…

Or is it? With 73.7% of hosts planning at least 3 weeks in advance, it's either a sign of strong organization or a deliberate effort to ease the pressure by tackling tasks bit by bit.

Meanwhile, 1 in 7 hosts either thrive off the last-minute stress or procrastinate and then cram everything into the week before Turkey Day - we're looking at you, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington.

As the holiday approaches, here are some tips for a more blessed Thanksgiving:

• Don't leave it all to the day. Give yourself time to hunt for deals and avoid last-minute panic. Begin cooking two days out with dishes that can be reheated or served cold, so you're not scrambling on the day itself.

• Use coupons and discounts. Almost two-thirds of hosts are worried about the affordability of Thanksgiving this year. For those looking to keep costs in check, real-time deals and discounts on everything from decorations to dinner are being rounded up at CouponBirds.

• Delegate like a pro. You don't have to do it all alone. Assign desserts, sides, or drinks to guests who genuinely want to contribute - it lightens your load and makes them feel involved. Most people are happy to help; they're just waiting to be asked.

• Set realistic expectations. No one's keeping score on whether the stuffing was restaurant-quality or the pie crust was flawless. What sticks with people is the atmosphere you create, and the warmth that comes from simply being together - even if there can be tension at times.

• Take five. When stress levels climb or the kitchen gets chaotic, give yourself permission to step away for a few minutes. A quick breather outside can work wonders. After all, showing gratitude starts with being kind to yourself.

Thanksgiving will always carry a bit of chaos - it's part of the tradition. But behind every anxious host is a table full of people who appreciate their effort. Whether your state leans 'blessed' or 'stressed', the spirit of the holiday lies in showing up, and remembering that the imperfect moments often make the best memories.

Methodology

This survey was conducted among 2,400 American adults across all 50 states in October 2025. Participants answered questions about their Thanksgiving plans, stress levels, and main concerns leading up to the holiday.

Fair Use

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