Thanksgiving is here! It’s one of the best times of the year. A time to gather together with family and friends, be thankful for one another, and feast on delicious food. See some of our Thanksgiving planning tips below on how to be a great host and easily make it memorable!
Provide a Warm Welcome
A festive drink like hot apple cider or mulled wine paired with a comforting homemade appetizer will help guests feel at home as soon as they arrive. Guests can mix and mingle over festive food and drink, giving you more flexibility as to when you serve dinner.
Engage Guests of All Ages
While adults enjoy a full bar, invite kids to partake in various arts and crafts. Find themed versions of traditional games you love like Thanksgiving bingo, charades, and trivia, all of which work well for a variety of ages. Likewise, for many families, Thanksgiving is all about football. If that describes your family, plan some way to incorporate that activity into the day’s schedule. Thanksgiving is meant to be a fun day spent with family, not a day that you worry about to the point where you can’t wait for it all to be over.
Plan Out the Ambiance and Decor
The environment is a very important part of any holiday event. Your decorations should match the holiday. For many people, this means leaves, pumpkins and other gourds, cornucopias, and anything turkey-related. Choose a theme or color palette and use it throughout your table settings, table runner, placemats, dinnerware, and place cards for a put-together look. Use tall and short candles for visual interest and a welcoming glow. We recommend using low centerpieces to help keep the table conversation flowing.
Seating Plan
Consider your guests: Who hasn’t seen each other in a while? Who might have something in common? Create an interesting conversation with assigned seats — and do it beautifully with creative place cards.
Create a Gratitude Moment
Ask everyone at the dining table to give “gratitude toasts”. Thanksgiving is a time for reflection and gratitude. Encourage your loved ones to think back over what they’re most grateful for and share their story around the dinner table. This is a lovely activity that you can continue every year!
Give Thanks to Your Guests with Party Favors
Let your guests leave with something special. Family may have come from miles away to share this day with you and give thanks. So return the favor with something that says, “Thanks for coming!” Some of our favorite ideas include Snickerdoodles Mason Gift Jar, Mini Succulent Plant, Autumn Tea Towel, Wine Bottle Stopper, Macaroons, and Bath bombs!
