25 Easy And Cozy Thanksgiving Ideas
Bring the beauty and coziness of Thanksgiving to your home with these 25 easy Thanksgiving ideas.
Ready for some easy and easy Thanksgiving ideas? I love Thanksgiving! It just might be my favorite holiday! But I think it gets elbowed out by Christmas! Ready to give this gorgeous All-American holiday its due? Here are 25 ideas to celebrate Thanksgiving!
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Today’s post is part practical, part pep-talk, and part pretty decorating ideas!
Please spend a little time thinking about ways you can make this Thanksgiving special for you and those you will be with. Here are 25 ideas to help you make memories this Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas
I feel like Thanksgiving is the last hurrah for fall decor and celebrating the autumnal season! So I make the most of it!
Put Away Most Of Your Fall Decor
November is a great time to take down most of your fall decor and replace it with things that will transition easily into Christmas. This is a brilliant Thanksgiving decorating idea! Being able to take down decor, like overtly fall or Halloween decor, makes it easy to decorate with an eye towards Christmas and still enjoy the nuances of the beauty of the end of the fall season.
And speaking about transitioning…
Think About Decor That Transitions Well between The Holidays
Use a small number of pumpkins and other Thanksgiving organic items like pheasant feathers, deer sheds, and pinecones!
Add A Little Snow To Your Decor
Snow is a beautiful addition to late fall decor. It really is a perfect medium to use to decorate for Thanksgiving.
I love the Thanksgiving song “Over The River And Through The Woods,” so a little bit of faux snow will evoke those delightful sweet feelings of the lyrics!
Add Another Layer Of Cozy
Bring out your warmer throws and faux fur pillows. They look so pretty and cozy this time of year!
Add More Candlelight To Your Home
One of the prettiest Thanksgiving ideas that will set a romantic mood and give a warm glow to your home is to add more candles, globes, hurricanes, and lanterns to your decor! The days are getting shorter, so take advantage of longer nights by lighting up your home with a golden glow.
You might like to make this Simple Leaf Candleholder DIY.
6 Tips For Decorating A Small Space For Thanksgiving will give you lots of ideas for creating a warm and cozy room to enjoy late fall before you decorate for Christmas.
Thanksgiving Ideas For Setting A Memorable Table
I love to set a pretty table, and I’m really excited to do the same on Turkey Day this year!
Think about setting your table a couple days ahead of Thanksgiving day. You will be able to enjoy the process and creativity so much more than waiting until the last minute.
Here are ideas for your Thanksgiving table…
Set A Fall Inspired Table
Set a beautiful table! The good dishes, cloth napkins, pretty placemats, and polish up the silver! YOU are worth it. Thanksgiving is one very special day!
10 Easy Ideas For Setting A Thanksgiving Table is filled with lots of creative ideas to help you set a very memorable table.
Make Or Buy A Beautiful Centerpiece
I think making your own centerpiece is a wonderful Thanksgiving idea! Flowers always make things more special! Or think about creating an edible arrangement, which would be perfect for a holiday that gives thanks for the bounty of our harvest.
For a little inspiration, you can see how I made this Edible Centerpiece Arrangement. When all the vegetables and fruit are done being part of a centerpiece, you can eat them! So smart and economical. And just so stunning!
Make Something Special For Your Table
Think about making something versatile, pretty, and useful for your Thanksgiving table. How pretty and cozy is this placemat. You can whip them up in just a couple minutes!!! Use them on your Thanksgiving table as placemats, or make a longer one for a runner! Creative and easy!
See HOW TO MAKE A PLACEMAT FROM A DECORATIVE THROW
I’m making a table runner for my daughter-in-law’s Thanksgiving table!
Make A Memorable Meal
Thanksgiving is a time to gather together and feast! So, fill your table with food and people you love.
Make That Bird
We love turkey, but I don’t cook it very often. So our whole family can’t wait to dig into a Thanksgiving turkey right out of the oven, carved and served with all the traditional amazing sides.
Last year, my daughter-in-law, Abigail, asked to host Thanksgiving at her house. How lovely! But that does not mean I’m not roasting a turkey! I’ll roast a smaller turkey a few days before Thanksgiving so we can take some extra to her home and have leftovers here. I’m one of those rare people who loves to roast a turkey!
Just the aroma wafting through our homes makes the effort so worth it. And the leftovers are worth the work too!
Try Something New
Buy or make a new item to add to your Thanksgiving meal repertoire! I’ve always wanted to make Lancaster County Baked Corn, so this year, I’m giving it a go! YUM!
You can see an authentic Amish recipe for it HERE.
Be Thankful
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and be thankful. It’s nice that we have things like parades and football games on TV, but let’s not lose the true meaning of this beautiful holiday. I bet you agree with me!
Spend time with those around your table and reflect on what you are thankful for. Our family has used 5 tiny kernels of Indian corn to count our blessings for years. Over the years, our family has had births, deaths, good times, and not so good. And everything in between. During this special time to count our blessings, we have lots of laughter and a few tears! But mostly, we have grateful hearts.
I hope you will read The Legend Of The 5 Kernels Of Corn. It’s a beautiful tradition your family will be blessed by.
Get Outside
It’s a great idea to get outside, at least for a bit, on Thanksgiving Day. It is often cold here, but we like to bundle up and get some fresh air. It’s good for Bobby and me and very good for our active grandchildren.
Play Games Outside
If it is a nice day, spend some time outdoors doing something fun! Play a game of corn hole or throw the football around. And take a nature walk with your family. We love all these activities! Getting outside is good for you and good for your soul! It is a mood lifter too!
If you have little ones, why not have a nature scavenger hunt and remember to give prizes! I think anyone who is young at heart would have fun!
Go For A Walk After Dinner
I love taking a little walk after our Thanksgiving meal but before dessert. Bundle up and enjoy the fresh evening air! Keep the conversation on happy, positive things! If you have lanterns with battery-operated candles, take them with you! They evoke a feeling of bygone days. Our little grandchildren love using little flashlights.
Think About Ways To Be Thankful All Year
Thankfulness should not happen just one day of the year. Thankfulness begets thankfulness.
Start A Gratitude Journal
A gratitude journal can be formal or informal but keep track of all the things, little and big, you are thankful for in a journal.
One fun idea for kids, and even for you, is to cut strips of paper and write what you are thankful for on them and make a chain with them! What a great visual way to see how much we have to be thankful for!
Think Of Others
When we take the spotlight off of ourselves and think of others, we become happier! This really works!
Invite Someone Who Needs A Place To Go For Thanksgiving
Bobby and I have been invited a couple of times to friend’s homes when our kids are with their in-laws. Oh, these friends have a special place in our hearts! We love to invite others to our home to celebrate with us! There is always room for one or a few more at a Thanksgiving table!
Send A Thanksgiving Centerpiece To Someone
Send a table arrangement to someone who can’t be at your table this year! It’s such a nice gesture, and it will bless someone else’s table!
Or if you are going to someone else’s home, send a pretty centerpiece to them.
Bake Something For Someone
Make a scrumptious fall dessert. Your home will smell amazing! And you will love it too! And bless a friend with something baked!
Here are a few desserts I make…
- PUMPKIN SPICE CAKE FROM A BOX MIX WITH A MAPLE GLAZE
- THE BEST RAW APPLE CAKE
- PUMPKIN COFFEE CAKE WITH STREUSEL TOPPING WITH A PUMPKIN GLAZE
Pack Up Thanksgiving Dinner For Someone
Why not take a Thanksgiving meal to someone who is a shut-in or has to work this Thanksgiving. I have a friend who packs a Thanksgiving meal for the soldiers who stand guard at their local military base! How kind!
Hold An Outdoor Thanksgiving
Invite friends, family, or neighbors over for an outdoor meal! Or dessert! Get into the mood of our first Thanksgiving!
If you don’t want to do the whole meal outside, why not serve hot drinks, libation, and appetizers outside or dessert!
DONATE TO YOUR LOCAL FOOD BANK
Remember, there are lots of folks that are having a hard time! Be generous!
Do Something For Christmas
The weekend after Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start getting into the Christmas Spirit! We usually do something like go to a Christmas show or tour a special historical place decked out for Christmas as a way to kick off the Christmas holiday the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Here are some at-home ideas to kick off the Christmas season…
- play Christmas music
- As a family, watch a Christmas movie together. We will be watching Elf!
- Decorate your mantel
- Start wrapping gifts
- Work on your Christmas cards. If you don’t send Christmas cards, now is the time to send them. We all need to feel some extra love!
- Make cookie dough and freeze it to bake closer to Christmas- see My Favorite Christmas Cookies.
More Thanksgiving Post
Here are more creative and informative posts for you to peruse…
How To Host Thanksgiving In A Small Space
12 Tips To Be The Best Thanksgiving Guest
6 Tips For Decorating A Small Room For Thanksgiving
FAQs About Thanksgiving
I hope these ideas will help you celebrate a joyful, thankful, and meaningful Thanksgiving!
We really have so much to be thankful for!
Thinks for the inspiration!
What is in the jar.on.your table? Please share sources.
Looking forward to your next post!!
Hi Ethel! You are welcome. There are soy candles on my table. They are a local find and I’m sorry I don’t have a source. Happy Thanksgiving!
Great post, so many wonderful ideas to help create a very special day. This year I think we all need something “special”.
Hi Marty! I know this Thanksgiving will be different for you, my friend! You are in my prayers!!! So glad to see you with us!
Your living room is lovely with the calm, neutral decor. Please let me know where you purchased the pillows and rug. Thanks!
Thank u SO much, Yvonne, for this wonderfully encouraging post. Indeed, even in the midst of COVID, we all have so much to be thankful for. I love your upbeat attitude & ideas for plan Bs this yr. The Lord will see us through. ???????
Amen!!!
This a wonderful, inspiring, uplifting, cozy, and beautiful post, Yvonne. We do have so much to be thankful for — and you are one of those blessings. Thank you.
Awww! Thanks, Miche! xo
Omigosh so many great ideas!! I love that you acknowledge the beginning, middle and end of the fall season because I, too, approach seasons in stages. Fascinating idea to take down most of the fall decor. That’s brilliant!
Lory, I’m so glad to inspire you because you inspire me EVERY DAY!
YOU are amazing Lory! Your blog is my favorite and this comment made my day!
I love all your ideas. So relaxing to look at your blog everyday. Love it ! Donna
Hi Donna, So sweet of your visiting every day!
So many wonderful ideas.
Thanks, Hena! Happy Thanksgiving!
Love all of these lovely ideas Yvonne – especially the “virtual dessert” – that is the best idea ever! I’m going to try that with our extended family!
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving my friend!
Sheila
xo
I love your ideas! I love my fall decor so much but I think adding in some more subtle colors and pieces is a great idea. My tradition is to decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving!
Love your blog and have been following for years. I love the paper accordion white tree on the mantle. I recall you had it last year too. Where pray tell did you buy it? It looks vintage but hopefully it is a reproduction I can purchase. Thank you.
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca, I found them at West Elm. See something similar here: https://rstyle.me/+uUF9n_LiMGHFAUpTuj8QZA
I love these too, just don’t know where I’d put them and the set is a really good price!
What is the source of the animal print flatware?
Hi Doris, the flatware is not animal print although it does look like that in the picture! They are hammered copper. You can find them here:https://amzn.to/3Gwe65V
So many great ideas here! Your decoration ideas are beautiful. I love the virtual dessert for this year too. Thanks for sharing! I’m visiting from the Wine’d Down Wednesday link up today. Have a great day Yvonne!
I like the white main color for your 25 Thanksgiving ideas, it works for fall and winter. I’ll be featuring you at Happiness Is Homemade 347. Thank you for linking up at Happiness Is Homemade! Happy Halloween!
Mel
Decor Craft Design
Thanks Mel! How sweet of you!
In Canada we have both Thanksgiving & Halloween in October, so come November 1st I can put the pumpkins & fall things away & fully get into the holiday spirit!
I love that! We celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving. My brother-in-law is your best export! LOL!
Good morning Yvonne! Love receiving your decorating ideas they are truly inspirational. Love the chair in your sunroom, it looks like it swivels. Please let me know where you purchased it.
Thanks and have a wonderful week.
Hi Vicky, you are right, the chair is a swivel. We got it at Ethan Allen.
Yvonne, one of your best-ever blogs! Love the wood bowl fluffed with nature’s textures…also the clever button napkin ring…and especially your edible centerpiece of artichokes, poms and radishes. Your design savvy and hard work make DIY attainable for many of us with big ideas, limited time, and supplies possibly already on hand. This week I made your pumpkin spice cake with maple glaze. I added pecans and cut way back on sugar – delish! Blessings to you and Bobby as you savor what what matters most these final beautiful months of the year.
So nice to hear you are enjoying fall!