Will dining out be our Thanksgiving trend this year?

Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks and stuff ourselves. But that takes a lot of work. We have noticed that reservations are filling up fast for dine-in or take-out options for Turkey Day, which falls on Nov. 28.

With homes under repair and kitchens in disarray after two hurricanes, the challenges of hosting a holiday gathering can be overwhelming, said Bill O'Brien, head of marketing for A Fresh Connection catering company in St. Petersburg, which has seen a swift buildup in takeout Thanksgiving orders.

But he also posted some tips recently on the company's website on how to use some creativity, with a focus on simplicity, to create a comforting and memorable meal.

"The first step is simplifying your menu," O'Brien said. "Stick to dishes that require fewer ingredients and minimal preparation. Think one-pot meals, casseroles or sheet pan dinners that deliver hearty portions without overloading your limited counter space or equipment."

He encourages the community to "redefine holiday traditions and find comfort in the simplicity of food and togetherness."

Or you can let another cook do the work. As Thanksgiving approaches, here are some take-out or dining options to consider:

A Fresh Connection: The catering company offers Thanksgiving dinner for an individual ($19.95) or a family of four ($79.95) to pick up at the cafe between noon and 5 p.m. on Nov. 27. The deadline to order is noon Nov. 23. 7097 30th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. They are also taking donations toward a Thanksgiving dinner at Shepherd's Village for single moms and families. afreshconnection.com . 727-308-1256.

Urban Stillhouse: The stylish restaurant and bourbon tasting room has decided to open on Thanksgiving with an upscale buffet, including turkey, lamb chops and crab-crusted black grouper, as well as wine and cocktail specials. Cost: $69 per person. 2232 5th Ave. S in St. Petersburg. 727-440-8040. TheUrbanStillhouse.com .

Columbia Restaurant: Locations in Sand Key, Ybor City and Sarasota are offering traditional holiday meals in their dining room and also curbside takeout. The takeout meals cost $195 and include a 12-pound roasted turkey, Columbia special stuffing, 1905 Salad, Cuban bread, carrots, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy and pie. Orders must be placed by 2 p.m. Nov. 21. Pickup must be made between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 27. To order, call 813-248-4961 (Ybor City), 727-596-8400 (Sand Key) and 941-388-3987 (Sarasota). All three locations will also be open for dine-in meals on Nov. 28: $30 for adults, $8 for children 12 and younger. Ybor City will be open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sand Key and Sarasota locations will be open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. columbiarestaurant.com .

JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort: The beach hotel's special Thanksgiving dinner at its signature Latitude 28 restaurant will be offering new fall cocktails and a three-course prix fixe offering that includes turkey with all the fixings and specialties like poached lobster pappardelle. Cost: $99 per person; children's a la carte menu ranges from $10-$30. Open 3-10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. 691 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater. Make reservations at opentable.com .

Brunch at Safety Harbor Resort and Spa: From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. the resort will have a gourmet omelet station as well as pumpkin spice French toast, lobster bisque, prime rib and an international cheese board along with traditional Thanksgiving items. A children's menu includes macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, chicken tenders and tater tots. All non-alcoholic beverages are included as well as one welcome mimosa per adult. Cost: $89; children 10 and under $36. safetyharborspa.com . 727-726-1161.

Yacht StarShip Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise: Make it a day on the water with dinner on the top deck of the river cruise. The meal includes carved turkey with sage pan gravy, apple cheddar cornbread stuffing and Yukon mashed potatoes with ricotta and buttermilk. Cost: $74.95; $44.95 for children, plus $3 marine fees, tax, and a $10 gratuity. Tickets include coffee, tea, and water and there will be a cash bar. yachtstarship.com .

Pier 22: A traditional Thanksgiving plated dinner includes roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, house-made dinner rolls and house-made pumpkin pie. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Cost: $39.95, Children under 10: $19.95. Take-out pricing: $150 (serves 4-6) or individual meal $39.95. See the menu and make reservations at pier22.com/thanksgiving . 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton. 941-748-8087.

Kona Grill: Whether dining in or hosting, Kona Grill offers both a buffet and a takeout package including roasted turkey breast with ginger yuzu-infused cranberry sauce. Kona Grill, which has locations in Tampa and Sarasota, will be serving these specials from Nov. 28. through Dec. 1. There is also a Thanksgiving to-go package, available for pre-order at KonaGrill.com .

Timpano Hyde Park: The feast begins with the flavorful Italian Wedding in November, featuring turkey brodo, cheese tortellini and turkey polpettini, or savor the seasonal roasted honeynut squash with arugula, Thumbelina carrots, goat cheese, blood orange and pistachio. The entree, an herb-roasted turkey, is served with whipped potatoes, cauliflower casserole, sweet potato buttermilk biscuits, cranberry compote and gravy. End your Thanksgiving meal with a fall-themed New York-style cheesecake topped with caramelized apples and whipped cream. Timpano is also offering a to-go meal. Cost: $75 per person. For details or to make reservations, visit timpanohydepark.com . 1610 W. Swann Ave, Tampa.

For a Thanksgiving to-go meal, the barbecue restaurant offers slow-smoked turkey or the 18-hour smoked beef brisket. The Fixins Package ($67.69) feeds four to six people and includes 1 quart each of mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole, cornbread stuffing (contains pork), Southern green beans (contains pork) and a pint of cranberry chutney. You can also choose from a variety of a la carte items starting at $10.99 per quart of mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread stuffing, Southern green beans, collard greens (contains pork), Southern coleslaw, mac & cheese, BBQ baked beans, cranberry chutney, sweet potato casserole and smokehouse corn. Order your Thanksgiving feast by Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. and pick it up on Nov. 27. For information see 4RSmokehouse.com or call 1-844-4RIVERS. 623 S. MacDill Ave. Tampa and 14330 N. Dale Mabry Highway. Tampa.

Fresh Kitchen: Fresh Kitchen Catering can handle the sides for your Thanksgiving meal. Choose from a variety of dishes such as brown rice, cauliflower potato mash, coconut ginger rice and spinach salad or veggies like maple sweet potatoes, basil mushrooms and sesame green beans. Delivery is also available for orders over $100. Catering inquiries can be placed online eatfreshkitchen.com/catering .

Bob Evans: All Bob Evans locations will be open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 28, and you can also order a Thanksgiving feast to serve four, eight or 10 people that starts at $54.99. Thanksgiving Holiday Celebration Platters include turkey, three sides, bread and a slice of pie. The platter is available to order by Nov. 26. If you'd rather eat at home, you can order a Farmhouse Feast to-go (starting at $79.99). Meals serve four, eight or 10 people and include a choice of turkey, pot roast or ham, sides, rolls and pumpkin pie. To find a location near you or place an order, go to bobevans.com .

Metro Diner: Metro Diner brings back seasonally-inspired dishes with ham or turkey served with mashed, gravy, steamed green beans or street corn, and cornbread stuffing or macaroni & cheese with cranberry sauce and Hawaiian dinner rolls. Runs $16.99 for a single dinner to $125.49 (feeds eight) to heat up at home. Order by Nov. 26. Order at metrodiner.com/holiday-feast .

Pane Rustica: The restaurant will have a full dinner ready that you can pop in the oven and heat up in less than 30 minutes. The order deadline is Nov. 23 and pickup times are 9 a.m-4 p.m. on Nov. 27. Find the menu at panerusticabakery.com . Call 813-902-8828 to place an order. Cost: $180 for a family of four. 3225 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa.