Thanksgiving/Holiday Planning Worksheet

A simple guide to help you shape a Thanksgiving or holiday celebration you can survive.

This worksheet is meant to steady your heart, lower your anxiety, and help you make intentional choices before the day arrives.

Answer each prompt honestly and gently. There are no right or wrong answers.

1. Where I Will Be on Thanksgiving/Holiday Celebration

Write the location that feels safest and most manageable for you.

2. Who I Want Near Me (and Who I Do Not)

List the people who feel comforting, calm, and supportive. Some people may not feel as safe as they used to. It is ok to identify that.

If there are people or places that feel too heavy or stressful, name that here.

3. My Easiest Path for the Day

Not the usual path or the most "meaningful" one.

The easiest.

What is the simplest way to get through the day?

4. One Thing I Will Say Yes To

Something small that feels doable.

5. One Thing I Will Say No To

A task, event, or tradition that feels too difficult this year.

6. What I Will Do If I Feel Overwhelmed During the Event

Choose a calming action: step outside, go for a walk, take a brief break, sit in your car, call a friend. You can assign a safe person to be a helper to you that day. Maybe a sister or cousin.

7. What I Need Most From Someone in My Life

Support, company, a check-in, help with food, a place to sit quietly.

Who I will ask to help me with this:

Asking for help makes you feel comforted and allows someone to comfort you. You are not a burden.

8. A Tiny Comfort I Will Give Myself

One small thing that brings peace: a candle, a soft blanket, a comforting drink, a movie, a warm shower, a walk.

A Final Intention for the Day

Complete this sentence:

This Thanksgiving or holiday event, I will choose what protects my heart and honors my grief by…