Fun and Creative Thanksgiving Celebration Ideas
Thanksgiving is almost here, so now is the time to think creatively about ways to make this year’s Thanksgiving even more unforgettable. From hosting large family gatherings or intimate dinner parties with close friends, there are endless ways to add memorable moments into this day-long affair – we hope our blog post provides creative solutions so you can have an incredible holiday celebration!
Thanksgiving is an occasion for thanks and celebration, providing opportunities to gather with family and friends while sharing delicious food and fellowship. If this year marks your hosting Thanksgiving festivities, make it extra memorable by including fun activities that are energetic yet engaging – here are a few creative suggestions that could enhance it even further!
Thanksgiving is a time for giving, so ask your guests to bring non-perishable foods to donate at local food banks and coats they no longer wear for donation to local charities as ways of giving back and making an impactful statement about our gratitude. To go further, encourage family members and guests to set time aside during the holidays to spend a few hours at a soup kitchen. It’s an effective way of giving back and making a genuine, impactful statement! This holiday, decide to give something back!
Remember to start your party in style by serving your guests an unforgettable signature cocktail, which can be an exciting conversation starter. Remind guests ahead of time to bring containers for any leftovers. After an evening’s festivities have wrapped up, there will likely be delicious leftovers that deserve to be taken home from the festivities. Now let the fun begin!
Get creative with decorations by enlisting the help of children. Give children craft materials available to use their creativity in assembling table decorations or place cards for seating arrangements. Engaging the children in this activity will keep the little ones entertained while the adults prepare dinner!
Involve children in setting the table – this will give them a significant sense of responsibility and relieve some pressure off you as the host/hostess. Of course, if you use great grandmom’s heirloom dishes, you’d better have adult supervision!
Attend or watch a Thanksgiving Day Parade or local high school football game.
Watching a parade or football game on Thanksgiving morning is an iconic tradition, so consider watching one on TV instead if there’s none nearby. Encourage guests to wear team colors while engaging in some friendly competition and camaraderie among themselves!
Get into the spirit of the holiday by watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.” This classic animated special provides a charming way to set the holiday atmosphere – plus, it is appropriate for people of all ages! Gather together around your TV, serve popcorn and hot cocoa, and let the show begin!
Thanksgiving preparation can be daunting, so enlist your guests’ assistance by asking them each to bring a covered dish or dessert that you can add to the table – not only will this add delicious food options to the feast, but it can help ease some of the cooking responsibilities for yourself as a host or hostess!
Instead of leaving children (and adults!) sitting around all day glued to screens,encourage everyone to go outside for some healthy competition playing kickball or football, these activities will help burn off some energy while creating delightful memories and giving your cook(s) much-needed respite in the kitchen!
After dinner, instead of heading back home or napping on the sofa, take an enjoyable stroll around your neighborhood or nearby park to aid digestion, get fresh air, and spend quality time with loved ones. Walking can help facilitate all three goals at once!
Depending on the age of children in your neighborhood and your availability, plan a “turkey trot,” including games like “pin the tail on the turkey,” an egg race, or even an optional scavenger hunt complete with an autumn/Thanksgiving flair! These activities will keep the children and some adults engaged during meal preparation or after-dinner clean-up.
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to give back, so consider volunteering at a nearby soup kitchen or food bank during the holiday season. Encourage family members and guests who can all assist to join you. Not only does doing something good feel rewarding, but volunteering also reminds us why Thanksgiving truly matters.
Host a Thanksgiving Trivia Contest and award the winner a small prize! After dinner, put your guests’ knowledge of Thanksgiving history and traditions through a trivia game! Be prepared with fun facts or create your quiz beforehand, with prizes like candles or festive mugs awarded to those who excel
And who doesn’t love pie?! Get everyone involved by hosting a pie competition to cover dessert needs and discover new types of pies at once. A pie competition can make a refreshing change from eating traditional desserts!
Thanksgiving is about spending quality time with loved ones while being grateful for everything we have. By following these creative ideas for making Thanksgiving even more unforgettable – be it giving back to the community, getting creative with decorations, inviting kids over, or hosting a pie competition, there are numerous ways you can ensure it becomes one of your memorable holidays!
Written by the Girls Nite Live editorial staff
