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25 Must-Try Thanksgiving Party Ideas for a Perfect Gathering

Looking for Thanksgiving party or Friendsgiving ideas this year? Wait until you see these must-try decorating, entertaining, and food menu ideas for the big day!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner?

As much as I love Christmas, Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday because the family comes to gather in our home around the dining table,

And we celebrate the best day of all…my birthday!

This year, it lands on Thanksgiving which is always fun. But usually, it falls sometime during Thanskgiving week.

My husband is convinced it always falls on Thanksgiving so he can remember when it is LOL but it doesn’t always fall on the day.

This year, we will have more to celebrate since we have not celebrated Thanksgiving here in the new house just yet.

And with a new home, new living spaces, and new dining room, I’m not quite sure how I want host our Thanksgiving party yet.

Are you hosting this year too?

Some friends and I got together to pull some of our best Thanksgiving party ideas together. Wait until you see all of the beautiful and creative inspiration!

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How Do You Throw a Fun Thanksgiving Party?

Throwing a fun Thanksgiving party involves a mix of thoughtful planning, creative touches, and an atmosphere of gratitude and togetherness.

Here are some tips to help you host an unforgettable Thanksgiving celebration.

  • Invitations: Send out invitations well in advance to give guests ample time to plan.
  • Menu Planning: Plan a delicious and diverse menu that caters to various dietary preferences.
  • Decorations: Create a warm and inviting atmosphere by decorating your space with autumn-themed decor, such as pumpkins, gourds, fall leaves, and candles. A beautifully set table with seasonal tableware adds to the festive ambiance.
  • Activities: Plan fun and engaging activities for your guests like a Thanksgiving-themed trivia game, a gratitude jar where everyone can write down what they’re thankful for, or even a friendly touch football game in the yard.
  • Entertainment: Consider background music or a playlist that sets the mood.
  • Gratitude Activity: Encourage guests to share what they’re thankful for.
  • Kids’ Corner: If children are attending, set up an area with games, crafts, and activities to keep them entertained.
  • Signature Drinks: Create signature Thanksgiving cocktails or mocktails that tie into the holiday theme. Offer a selection of wines, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages to cater to different preferences.
  • Desserts: Offer a variety of desserts.
  • Favors: Consider giving guests small thank-you gifts or party favors.
  • Photography: Set up a photo booth with props and a backdrop for guests to take pictures and create lasting memories.
  • Clean-Up Plan: Have a plan for cleaning up after the party so it’s less work for you!

Finally, remember the true spirit of Thanksgiving is about gratitude and spending time with loved ones.

friendsgiving ideas for the dining table with pumpkin centerpiece and fresh fall flowers

How Do You Do Thanksgiving With a Large Group

If you’ve got a big list of attendees for Thanksgiving day, I got you. We have a big family and I’m used to hosting Thanksgiving with lots of hungry guests.

Here are my best tips for hosting a large group on Thanksgiving.

  • Start Planning Early: Planning well in advance to accommodate a larger guest list.
  • Create a Guest List: Make a list of all the guests you plan to invite.
  • Potluck Style: To ease the burden on the host and ensure a variety of dishes, consider making the Thanksgiving meal a potluck. Ask guests to bring their favorite dishes or assign specific dishes to each guest or family.
  • Set Up a Buffet: With a large group, a buffet-style meal can be more practical than serving a formal sit-down dinner.
  • Seating Arrangements: Ensure you have enough seating for everyone.
  • Consider Dietary Restrictions: Be mindful of dietary restrictions and allergies among your guests.
  • Food Safety: Keep hot dishes hot and cold dishes cold by using chafing dishes or slow cookers to maintain the temperature of hot or cold foods.
  • Entertainment: Plan activities and entertainment to keep everyone engaged.
  • Delegate Responsibilities: Don’t try to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks to willing family members or friends, whether it’s setting the table, helping with food preparation, or managing activities for the kids.
  • Plan for Leftovers: Be prepared with containers for guests to take home extra food or plan to donate leftovers to a local shelter.
  • Gratitude Activity: Encourage everyone to participate in a gratitude activity.
  • Be Flexible and Relaxed: Understand that with a large group, things may not go exactly as planned. Be flexible, enjoy the company of your guests, and don’t stress over minor mishaps.
  • Decorations and Atmosphere: Create a warm and inviting atmosphere with cozy Thanksgiving table and fall decor.
close up of friendsgiving brunch or thanksgiving table setting with gold charger, lenox dinner and salad plate, mustard linen napkin and pumpkin with centerpiece of flowers and pumpkins with candles

25 of the Best Thanksgiving Party Ideas for a Perfect Gathering

If you are hosting a Thanksgiving party this year, it’s important to plan ahead so the week of and even the day of are not as stressful.

Cause it’s a lot of work!

But if you spread things out that need to be done, pulling a wonderful Thanksgiving day together will be a piece of cake.

Here are some ideas to help you prepare for an incredible Thanksgiving party!

Close up of Apple Crisp Easy Recipe

Apple Crisp Easy Recipe

Looking for an amazing fall dessert that is super simple to make? Grab some apples and whip up this apple crisp easy recipe.

close up of The Best Pumpkin Spice Fall Cocktail

The Best Pumpkin Spice Fall Cocktail

Wait until you try this Pumpkin Spice White Russian. It’s the perfect fall cocktail for crisp cool evenings.

close up of pumpkin soup in blue Hearth and Hand Bowl with toppings of bacon, sour cream, and chopped parsley

The Best Creamy Pumpkin Soup Recipe

Looking for a cozy dish that's perfect for an autumn gathering? Wait until you try this creamy pumpkin soup recipe that is super easy to make and tastes so good!

pumpkin dump cake recipe on a dessert plate with whipped cream, cinnamon and toffee bits

Mouthwatering Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe You Can’t Resist

Looking for a new way to satisfy your pumpkin craving this fall? Wait until you try this quick, easy, and delicious pumpkin dump cake recipe!

close up of friendsgiving brunch or thanksgiving table setting with gold charger, lenox dinner and salad plate, mustard linen napkin and pumpkin with centerpiece of flowers and pumpkins with candles

Insanely Good Brunch Menu Ideas for Friendsgiving

Looking for good brunch menu ideas? Wait until you see what my supper club and I are whipping up for a beautiful Friendsgiving brunch! I love a good brunch, don’t you? There’s just something about breakfast and lunch blended together that gets me every time. Brunches provide a wonderful backdrop for casual gatherings. And they

close up of friendsgiving decor and dining table centerpiece with fresh flowers, pumpkins and candles with crystal chandelier, black china cabinet and hutch.

Friendsgiving Decor: Creative Ideas for a Festive Home Gathering

Celebrate Friendsgiving with a beautiful table set with fall decorations and amazing dining table centerpiece ideas. Wait until you see these beautiful fall tablescapes and food ideas that are perfect for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, or any fall gathering. Can you believe we getting ready to celebrate the holidays already? Before you know it Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and

Easy Fall Table Decor Ideas with neutral fall tablescape in farmhouse dining room with black china cabinet and hutch

9 Simple Tips to Hosting the Best Thanksgiving Dinner Ever

Looking for ways to organize yourself to host Thanksgiving? Here are 9 simple tips to hosting the best Thanksgiving dinner ever. And if you are not hosting this year? Check out my Thanksgiving hostess gift ideas at the end of this post.

Thanksgiving Dining Table Centerpiece Idea

My good friend Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse shared a Fall Centerpiece that’s perfect for your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving Dining Table. It combines DIY and Vintage pieces for a unique table arrangement. Wait until you see how easy it is to make!

Heirloom Pumpkin Fall Centerpiece Idea for the Dining Table

Wow your guests this Thanksgiving with an elegant, easy to make pumpkin centerpiece utilizing a real heirloom pumpkin and seasonal fresh florals. My good friend Heidi from Eleanor Rose Home shares her best tips for making this easy fall table decor idea.

Simple Centerpiece Idea for Your Thanksgiving Aesthetic

Simple Centerpiece Idea For Your Thanksgiving Aesthetic

Looking for centerpiece ideas for your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving table? Try this super simple centerpiece idea to complete your Thanksgiving aesthetic.

fresh flowers and heirloom pumpkin centerpiece idea for the dining table with zinnias, dahlias, sedum autumn joy, ivy, celosia and boxwood

Create Stunning Pumpkin Centerpieces with Fresh Fall Flowers

Looking for ways to decorate a table for fall, Friendsgiving, or Thanksgiving gatherings? Wait until you see how to make this GORGEOUS flowers and pumpkin centerpiece idea! But the best part? There's no carving involved!

DIY Dried Wheat Centerpiece

Do you love the look of dried wheat? So does my good friend Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill. She shares the beautiful natural color with this DIY dried wheat centerpiece for the Thanksgiving Table.

How to Make a Thanksgiving Cornucopia Basket

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and celebrate with friends and family. One of my good friends Wendy from WM Design House’s favorite traditions is decorating her Thanksgiving table with a homemade cornucopia. She makes it out of chicken wire and rope, and then fills it with pumpkins, gourds, feathers, and flowers. It’s a beautiful and festive decoration that always gets her in the Thanksgiving spirit.

Simple and Beautiful DIY Artichoke and Magnolia Centerpiece

Wow your family and friends with a simple and beautiful DIY artichoke and magnolia centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table by my good friend Jen from Midwest Life and Style.

How to Create a Simple Rustic Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Create a simple rustic centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table this year with my good friends Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms. Pretty neutral style can be used for the entire autumn season and you are going to love how they pulled this Thanksgiving dining table centerpiece together.

How to Set a Thanksgiving Table with a simple dining table centerpiece and warm autumn color palette using artificial stems and flowers in a farmhouse dining room

How to Set a Thanksgiving Table

Yay, it’s almost Thanksgiving! No matter how big or small your gathering will be, make the holiday feel extra special. Prep now and learn how to set an unforgettable Thanksgiving table with these tips and fall table decor ideas. 

Simple Thanksgiving Fall Table

Are you looking for simple Thanksgiving or autumn decorating ideas? My good friend Ann from Dabbling and Decorating shares her best tips and tricks to help get you started!

How to Create the Perfect Table for a Thanksgiving Feast

With Thanksgiving right around the cornerit’s time to start planning your feast! If you’re not sure how to create the perfect table for your Thanksgiving celebration, don’t worry. My good friend Renae from Peacock Ridge Farm shares her incredible tips for creating the perfect harvest table. So read on and learn how to create a festive table for your holiday celebration!

Boho Cottage Fall Tablescape

My good friend Jen from Tatertots and Jello shares how to create a warm and inviting thanksgiving or Friendsgiving table by making a DIY table runner, pillows and a beautiful footed bowl centerpiece filled with textured, fabric-covered pumpkins and leaves.

Thanksgiving Table Ideas and Inspiration

My good friend Mary from Life at Bella Terra share a beautiful post that is full of ideas for your Thanksgiving table-from space planning, table design, setup, place settings and unique centerpieces, Mary has lots of beautiful ideas to set your table for Thanksgiving.

Thanskgiving Dining Room with Copper Accents and Free Printables

My good friend Cindy from DIY Beautify designed a beautiful Thanksigiving dining room with gorgeous copper accents and easy tips to set a memorable Thanksgiving table with printable place setting cards that can double as a gratitude garland!

How to Create a Beautiful Thanksgiving Tablescape

My good friend Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest shares her tips for hosting a large family gathering with budget friendly Thanksgiving table decor. At the same time, learn what pieces you can pull together from around your home, and how to best layer them. Then, you can easily create a thoughtful and beautiful tablescape this Thanksgiving.

Simple Fall Table and the Prettiest Serving Pieces

Looking for some simple ideas for your Friendsgiving table? My good friend KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms shared her pretty blue and white table plus tons of simple ideas to make your holiday celebrations a little easier.

Gorgeous vintage toolbox centerpiece decorated for fall with faux flowers in farmhouse dining room with black china cabinet and hutch with farmhouse table -Simple Fall Table Decor and Thanksgiving Food Ideas

The Best Fall Table Decor and Thanksgiving Food Ideas

Looking for ways to decorate and celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family? Check out these fall table decor and Thanksgiving food ideas.

Easy Thanksgiving Traditions to Start This Year

My good friend Kristin from White Arrows Home shares some easy Thanksgiving traditions make it a favorite Holiday to look forward to all year.

Easy Fall Table Decor Ideas with neutral fall tablescape in farmhouse dining room with black china cabinet and hutch

101 Ideas for Thanksgiving 2022

Getting ready for an epic Thanksgiving? Whether you are hosting or attending, stock up on these Thanksgiving 2022 essentials.

More About Thanksgiving Party Ideas

Are you hosting or attending Thanksgiving this year? Do you have any party ideas you’d like to share? I would love to know more in the comments below.

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dining table set for friensgiving brunch with candles, pumpkins, greenery and beautiful centerpiece with fresh flowers and pumpkins

Need More Thanksgiving Ideas

If you are looking for more Thanksgiving Day ideas and inspiration, check out these posts.

From hosting gifts to table decor, food, and menu ideas, I’ve got you covered.

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thanksgiving table decor with fresh flowers and pumpkin centerpieces
Potager garden in fall with outdoor dining table decorated for an adult halloween party with cornstalks, pumpkins, witches hats and flowers

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Looking for some fun Halloween party ideas? Wait until you see these sophisticated adult Halloween party ideas. Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore! It’s the perfect occasion for adults to embrace their inner child while adding a touch of sophistication to the spooky festivities. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween gathering for friends or family, here…
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potager garden in fall with table decorated for an adult halloween party.

Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 150

Hi there and Happy Fall! I hope you had a great week! Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms What a week it was! New Jersey had amazing weather all week long. The temperatures were more mild so I was able to start decorating the porches and gardens for fall. I added…
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Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

Stacy Ling

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19 best thanksgiving party ideas with close up of thanksgiving table setting idea with pumpkin and green linen napkin
Thanksgiving Party Blog Hop

Thanks to my good friend Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse for pulling together such a beautiful group of talented bloggers with the most incredible Thanksgiving party inspiration.

If you are new here, I’m Stacy, a self-taught master gardener who lives and gardens in northern New Jersey, zone 6a.

We recently moved to a beautiful 1850 Farmhouse with 10 acres of gardens, sculptures and statues.

I’ve been gardening for over 20 years and enjoy helping beginner gardeners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. I love to bring the outdoors inside my home too.

I hope you enjoy visiting my home today and hope you come back so we can grow stuff and create beautiful spaces together.

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18 Comments

    1. 19! LOL! You are an overachiever! The cutest ideas! I love your table so much! So much fun to party with you!

      Happy day!
      KariAnne

  1. Love your tips Stacy on how to host the best Thanksgiving ever! Such great ideas and I love your Thanksgiving tablescapes so much!!!

  2. I already put a reminder in my phone so I can remember to wish you a happy birthday!! The new house will be perfect for hosting Thanksgiving dinner too.

  3. I love all of the great Thanksgiving ideas and inspiration. Thank you for sharing my centerpiece as part of the roundup!

  4. You have given me so many great ideas to think about for Thanksgiving Stacy! Now it’s just a matter of picking just one.