Entertaining
3 ways to celebrate Thanksgiving to the max
Photography: Maya Visnyei | Prop Styling: Geary House
Entertaining
3 ways to celebrate Thanksgiving to the max
Table of twenty? Dinner for two? Whatever your celebration style, we’ve got a Thanksgiving idea for you.
Turkey time is almost upon us! Whether you’re a stickler for tradition or looking to make some new ones of your own this year, here’s our guide to a fun, festive celebration for parties (and families) of all kinds. Gratitude and elasticated waists not optional.
FRIENDSGIVING IN THE CITY
Image: Anthropologie
We’re trotting out an old turkey here, but friends *really* are the family you get to choose. Hosting a friendsgiving is a special way to honour your closest pals - and can be a wonderful way to include newcomers or those far away from relatives in this time-honoured Canadian tradition. (Yes, even Americans are welcome...as long as they reciprocate on November 22, of course).
Pro tip: Schedule this fr-amily bash the weekend before actual Thanksgiving to avoid clashes with real family obligations.
GET: Nothing too flashy or try-hard. Make it casual and comfortable by opting for mismatched linens and dishes, teamed with an untamed floral arrangement
EAT: Take a little of the pressure off and make this one a potluck. To avoid a random dish disaster (or a whole table of grocery store veggie trays), it’s okay to be a little bit bossy with your guests, and assign people specific dishes you’d like them to bring. Creating a theme for the meal is a fun way to encourage your friends to get into the spirit. Suggestions: Campfire classics, nostalgic childhood favourites (these are ours!) or if you hold this event just after Thanksgiving, you could even do a whole spread inspired by leftovers.
DO: Have a toast! And no, saying “let’s eat!” while holding a glass doesn’t count. Taking time to craft a special holiday sentiment that pays tribute to each guest gathered at your table will really make the day memorable...and probably lead to a few teary eyes. We also love the idea of placing a Thanksgiving Bingo card at each setting (there’s a free printable one here).
FAMILY FEAST WITH A TWIST
Photography: Maya Visnyei | Prop Styling: Geary House
You’re hosting the big family bash and we’re here to tell you: You got this! No, it won’t be the super-formal, super-starched, tensions-simmering-under-the-polished-surface fete it was when Great-Aunt Sue hosted...but that’s a good thing, right? Sometimes traditions can be burdensome, and there’s nothing wrong with incorporating the good of the old (Grandma’s antique china settings) with a relaxed informality that’s new—and totally you.
GET: A big family portrait is practically the law on Thanksgiving Day, but let’s be real: They’re hard to wrangle and even harder to get one where at least three people aren’t blinking. Instead, consider making photographic memories with a DIY photo booth! We love this “Gobble Till You Wobble” photo frame for starters, and don’t be afraid to mix in some fun props like these, which just need to be printed and mounted on sticks.
EAT: One tradition we’re just not willing to dispense with, especially for family dinners: The turkey. That’s not to say, however, that you have to use Great-Grandma’s recipe (real talk: it was dry). The CL Test Kitchen has cooked up tons of mouth-watering turkey-with-a-twist ideas, like Cider Glazed, Smoked, Herbed and Brined, and this completely stress-free bird. Not sure how much turkey you’ll need to feed the crowd? We’ve got you covered with this easy guide.
DO: Change up the seating assignments to promote more (and fresh!) conversation, and configure an after-dinner space where guests can have a coffee or a nightcap and mingle some more. Or, radical thought here, but what if dinner isn’t at a big long table where no one can really see each other and you’re stuck with Third Cousin Rae for three long hours? Instead, consider switching up the seating options and giving your guests multiple spots to gather and break bread in smaller groups. Think: Stools around the kitchen island, chairs grouped around a roaring fire, and, weather permitting, a picnic bench on the porch surrounded by pumpkins.
PARTY OF 2? SKIP THE BIRD
Image: Sarah Sherman Samuel
Just because your celebration is smaller in scale, there’s no reason not to have a gathering that’s big on heart—and good times.
GET: Create a real sense of occasion by going all out on your table decor. Make it a formal dinner with salad plates, dinner plates, candlesticks and plenty of greenery.
EAT: Unless you’re a major Turkey fanatic, a whole bird doesn’t make much sense for a small gathering like this one. Embrace the freedom and opt for a spread made entirely of small bites like these stuffed mushroom with hazelnuts, shrimp-filled phyllo spring rolls, and steak Florentine crostini.
DO: Is it really Thanksgiving if you don’t watch “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”? Turn your celebration into a movie night, and snuggle down on the couch for an evening of warm-and-cuddly nostalgia. Literally: This knots blanket + a mug of pumpkin white hot chocolate = low key Turkey Day bliss.
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