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.
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.
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!
Apple Crisp Easy Recipe
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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
Looking for centerpiece ideas for your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving table? Try this super simple centerpiece idea to complete your Thanksgiving aesthetic.
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
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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.
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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
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The Best Fall Table Decor and Thanksgiving Food Ideas
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Easy Thanksgiving Traditions to Start This Year
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101 Ideas for Thanksgiving 2022
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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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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.
- 101 Ideas for Thanksgiving
- How to Set a Cozy Fall Harvest Table
- The Best Recipe for Easy Apple Crisp
- The Best Fall Pumpkin Spice Cocktail
- Thanksgiving Tablescape Idea
- How to Decorate for Fall and Christmas Before Thanksgiving
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Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
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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.