Thanksgiving Guide: Menu Plan, Family Activities & More

We’ve created a one-stop shop for all of your thanksgiving needs. Includes simple, no-fuss recipes, fun activities for the whole family, ideas for leftovers, and more.

Thanksgiving Activities

It never hurts to have some activities set out around the house. Here are a few that your family might enjoy!

• Make a Thanksgiving Tree – A family activity that all can participate in. Free printable included.
• Table Talk Cards – Great conversation starters at the table! Have each person draw a card to ask the group.
• 30+ Thanksgiving Crafts – Want to keep those little hands busy? Here are some great ideas.
• Set out a puzzle. I personally love Ravensburger Puzzles. They are high quality and don’t fall apart!

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Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas

We’ll pulled together a few very doable recipes for each portion of the meal for you. Pick one or two from each section and enjoy a homemade meal!

Appetizers

• Hummus & Veggie Sticks – Tasty and not too filling. Need to save room for that turkey!
• Homemade Chex Mix – My grandma would have bowls of this out everywhere when we celebrated Thanksgiving at her house. Be warned, it’s addictive!
• Easy Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze – My mother-in-law makes a version of this every year.
• Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese – A holiday favorite.
• Festive Charcuterie Board – Our team member, Whitney, shows you how to style a beautiful charcuterie board for a holiday gathering.

Main Course

• Roast Turkey Breast with Pan Gravy – Cheaper and easier to manage for a smaller group. Serves up to 8.
• Whole Roast Turkey – I have used this detailed guide by The Yummy Life a few times now.
• Smoked Turkey – Takes a bit of time but totally worth it! A smoker is necessary.
• Holiday Ham with Cranberry-Orange Glaze – An easy alternative to have for anyone who doesn’t love turkey.
• Ham and Cheese Sliders – Everyone loves these! Make ahead of time and freeze before the big day.

Side Dishes

• Autumn Chopped Salad – Trust me. This one is a WINNER.
• Simple Homemade Stuffing – So easy. You’ll never go back to store bought after this.
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes – Made in the Instant Pot to save time!
• Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans – Who wants a green bean casserole when you can wrap them in bacon??
• Sweet and Savory Roasted Baby Carrots – Easy and delicious.
• 10-Minute Cranberry Sauce – Gorgeous color and amazing flavor in just minutes. Make ahead and freeze! (You could also try out our Apple Cranberry Sauce if Cranberry sauce is a bit too tart for you.)

Dessert and Drinks

• Pumpkin Dump Cake – Easier and tastier than pumpkin pie, in our humble opinion.
• Snickerdoodle Cookies – These are SO good. Fun to have kids help with the prep, too.
• Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte – Such a treat to have before or after a Thanksgiving meal!
• Apple Pie Bars – Made with a delicious green apple filling and a buttery sugar cookie crust.
• Pie in a Jar – These personal-sized pies are made in little mason jars that can go straight from your freezer to your oven to your mouth. 

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How to Use Up Leftovers

• 4 Layer Turkey Stuffing Casserole – Use up leftover turkey, gravy, and stuffing in this amazing casserole. Make it and freeze for later if you want.
• Turkey Broth – Don’t throw away your turkey carcass! Make simple broth to freeze for later using either your slow cooker, Instant Pot, or on the stove. I freeze it in mason jars to use in soups.
• Turkey Pesto Paninis – A Thriving Home fave! Make these sandwiches in bulk and freeze for later.
• Ham and Cheese Sliders – If you have leftover ham, slice it up to use in these freezable sammies.
• Leftover Ham and Bean Soup – A healthy, comforting soup to use up leftover ham (or smoked turkey) in.

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Bonus Tips & Tricks for Hosting

• Top 10 Hospitality Tips & Tricks – Practical ideas to use if you are hosting!
• 10 Thanksgiving Tips Our Readers Swear By – Great advice for making T-Day less stressful.
• 20+ Easy Meal Ideas for Groups of People – Need more meal ideas? Check out this roundup.