Charlie Brown finds himself in a bind when Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends over to his house for a Thanksgiving dinner. Despite his lack of cooking skills and the fact that his parents aren't home to prepare a meal, he can't find it in himself to disappoint her. He confides in Linus, who suggests throwing together a simple meal with the help of Snoopy and Woodstock. The unlikely chefs get to work, with Snoopy setting up tables and chairs in the backyard for the impromptu feast.

On the menu for the afternoon are some of Charlie Brown and Snoopy's favorite snacks: buttered toast, pretzel sticks, popcorn, and jelly beans. As the guests arrive, expectations clash with reality when they find the backyard arrayed with mismatched chairs and a spread that's far from the traditional Thanksgiving meal they anticipated. The initial excitement about the gathering gives way to a mix of surprise and disappointment, and Charlie Brown fears he's ruined Thanksgiving.