The feast of all feasts is almost upon us! Believe me, I know Thanksgiving can be overwhelming! You not only have to cook the turkey (which, by the way, needs to be cooked perfectly since you’re mother-in-law expects only the best…no pressure!) but there are cocktails and sides and OH! don’t forget about decor around the house and kids who get bored easily and want something fun to do! Fear not! Your beloved Party Goddess is here to make your life easier with 25 inspired Thanksgiving ideas for entertaining! (Included on the list are some fun things you can do to promote an “attitude of gratitude” in the true spirit of the season!)
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Stroll Through Fall Leaves
First, take a nature walk with the kids. No, this is not just a way to relax before the onslaught! People consume nearly 4,000 calories on Thanksgiving so you’re gonna want to exercise! More importantly, this little stroll does double-duty in the decor department! Have the kids collect autumn leaves, branches, pinecones, acorns – anything that can be used as decor. Use these found objects to fill vases for centerpieces or to sprinkle on tabletops, cluster on the buffet, and even pin to your guest towels.
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Kid Friendly Crafts
Put the kids to work doing crafts that can be used to decorate tables and place settings. Know all those mini-pumpkins you bought for Halloween? Recycle those as “name cards” to indicate where guests will sit at the table. Kids can either write directly on the pumpkin with a Sharpie marker or cut cards out of construction paper to write the name on and attach to the pumpkin with ribbon.
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Pour Yourself A Drink
This Pomegranate Rosemary Spritzer from A House in the Hills is just as tasty as it is gorgeous! It just might be the best Thanksgiving idea ever!
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Do An Oven Pre-Check
If you haven’t used your oven for a while, confirm that the temperature of the oven is actually, well, the real temperature of the oven, before it’s been 3 hours and the bird is still frigid. It’s an easy thing to overlook. But checking this ahead of time can be the difference between the perfect Thanksgiving dinner and your guests pretending that stuffing pairs well with that pizza you had to have delivered!
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Fun & Games
In my family, we love playing games at big holiday gatherings! Thanksgiving Trivia is the perfect game for kids and adults. Here are some samples you can use:
Q: Who wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States? (Answer: Benjamin Franklin)
Q: What year did the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begin? (Answer: 1924)
Q: How many turkeys are consumed in the U.S. every year for Thanksgiving? (Answer: approximately 46 million)
Q: How many pounds of turkey does the average American eat each year? (Answer: 16 – 18 lbs)
Q:What’s the heaviest turkey on record? (Answer: 86 lbs)
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Go For Authenticity
Speaking of Thanksgiving trivia, did you know that mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, corn on the cob and cranberries were NOT present on the first Thanksgiving feast? Instead, lobster, rabbit, chicken, fish, squash, beans, radishes, cabbage, carrots, chestnuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits and goat cheese are thought to have made up the first Thanksgiving dinner pilgrims celebrated. Consider throwing a REAL traditional Thanksgiving with these foods instead!
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Cheese Ball Time!
This is not your basic cheese ball! This delicious Cheddar and Chive Pumpkin Cheese Ball from Jam Hands is seasonally shaped and garnished with pie crust leaves, pretzel rod stem, and cheddar cheese ribs to define the pumpkin.
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Use Fresh Herbs
Herbs can serve many purposes. Use them as centerpieces in pots. They look fresh on the table, smell amazing, and won’t compete with the smell of the food. They can also be used to stuff your turkey and guests can take them home as favors later.
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Tree of Thanks
Remember those leaves you had your kids collect on your nature walk? Have them collect some branches too and place them in a tall vase. With these items, create a Thanksgiving Tree where guests write on the leaves with Sharpie markers what they’re most grateful for. Have the kids hang the leaves on the branches.
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Pie Not? Try Apple-Dipping Instead!
Baking pies not your gig? Create a candy apple dipping station with pre-sliced apples on sticks to dip in white chocolate, dark chocolate, or caramel. Then double down with peanuts, crushed toffee or sprinkles. Yum!
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Label Serving Pieces In Advance
Does this fork go in the gravy? How many times have you been asked that by one of your I’m-completely-clueless-in-the-kitchen guests who are trying to be helpful at the last minute? Avoid having to come up with a polite answer (cuz there really isn’t one!) by labeling everything with Post-It Notes in advance. Bowls, platters, utensils — even the gravy ladle — get a sticky note so there’s no doubt what goes where.
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Your Name In Gold
Here is a DIY idea that is simple yet elegant! Gold leaf place cards can be easily made with leaves in your yard. Paint them with gold or silver spray paint and write the names of your guests on them.
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Pie Baking
No Thanksgiving ideas list would be complete without a pie recipe! Who doesn’t love pie!? Add another fruit to your apple pie with this Apple-Pear Pie With Walnut Crust from www.marthastewart.com. You can bake it a day in advance, no problem.
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Simple Table Setting
This idea is sooooo simple from Home Stories A to Z! Tie a beautiful ribbon around your flatware. That’s it!
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Fall Flavor Cocktails
Maple syrup is not just for breakfast anymore! Try this Maple Spiced Cocktail from Lark & Linen!
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More Glittering Decor
Dress up your table with Thanksgiving inspired gold table decor from A Pumpkin & A Princess. You can also find this great idea on my Pinterest board.
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Thanksgiving Bingo
Do the kids need a fun activity while waiting for that turkey to cook? Well, this could even be for the adults! Easy as pie! Just print Thanksgiving Bingo from Crazy Little Projects on your home printer.
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Pre-Dinner Drinks
You know I love me my boozy Thanksgiving ideas! Get the party started with a Cranberry Bourbon Fizz from DomestiKated Life!
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Warm Fuzzy Blankets
Plush fall-colored throw blankets in the living room not only make the house look cozy and inviting, they’re great for guests to throw over their shoulders to keep warm!
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Pumpkin Decor
I LOVE doing lettering on pumpkins!
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No Need To Slice, Apple Pie Cocktail
For dessert…skip the whip cream and serve this Apple Pie Cocktail from A House in the Hills rimmed with cinnamon sugar!
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Kids Ring Toss Corn Game
Here’s another of our Thanksgiving ideas that does double-duty. Multi-colored corn (with husks) makes for charming, rustic table decor and it also can be used for a fun ring toss game to keep the kiddos occupied! Stand the corn cobs upright using votive candle holders and use the ring portion of mason jar lids for the toss.
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Invite A Scarecrow
Have one of the kids dress up like a scarecrow to welcome guests as they arrive. All it takes is a plaid shirt, a little make-up, a piece of burlap and a bag of straw from the craft store for stuffing in and around the shirtsleeves.
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Throwback Thursday (Colors!)
Decorate for the day with a throwback to the 70s when avocado green, harvest gold, and rust were the trending colors!
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Give Thanks
Thanksgiving is the perfect day to start the 30-Day Challenge of Gratitude from Positively Present!
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