A run-through of the fridge a few evenings before, clearing out anything expired or nonessential like extra jellies and dressings, and eating up existing leftovers, frees up the space a big feast actually needs.
Three Ways to Make Room for a Thanksgiving Feast

Trying to buy an entire Thanksgiving feast's worth of groceries in a single trip is a recipe for a forgotten ingredient (or bare shelves); splitting shopping into a couple of trips takes the pressure off.
Clear Out the Fridge and Freezer Ahead of Time
Find Extra Storage for Dry Goods and Chilled Items
Hearty produce like apples, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cranberries can wait in the garage or car trunk instead of the fridge, and a cooler packed with ice packs keeps casseroles or desserts cold and fresh for at least 24 hours when the fridge runs out of room.
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