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Thanksgiving Party Ideas

Thanksgiving, whether you celebrate the anniversary of the Pilgrims' harvest or Canadian Thanksgiving, is a time to be with your loved ones. Throwing a party to celebrate fall and the beginning of the winter holiday season is an excellent idea. But don't get bogged down by tradition…try these ideas as alternatives to the classic Thanksgiving party.

Thanksgiving Cocktail Party
If sitting around the dinner table (à la your mother's Thanksgiving) doesn't sound appealing to you, why not throw a cocktail party instead? Offer light appetizers that still have the spirit of Thanksgiving, like cranberry chutney and cream cheese with crackers, baby corn on a vegetable tray, and turkey pinwheels. And for those with a sweet tooth, put out bite-size pecan tarts and cranberry-oatmeal cookies. Make sure to offer drinks that stay with the theme, like Cosmopolitans. For an additional Thanksgiving twist on this drink use spiced rum instead of vodka.

Canadian Thanksgiving Party
If you're a Canadian living in America, or just want another excuse for a party, consider celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving. Held in mid-October, Canadian Thanksgiving is another time to celebrate friends, family, and everything else for which we are grateful. Use toothpicks with Canadian flags and spread maple leaves on the table to add to the festivity.

Twists on Traditional Ideas
If you've decided to have a traditional sit-down Thanksgiving dinner you can still give it a twist. Try giving a theme to your cuisine. You could have a seaside Thanksgiving by preparing oyster stuffing and serving clam chowder and crab cakes as part of your feast. Or, go tropical by putting coconut and pineapple in the stuffing and mango in the cranberry sauce. If you choose a theme, tailor your centerpiece and other decorations to support it.

Thanksgiving Activity Ideas

• Play "Pin the Feather on the Turkey." Trace a turkey on a large piece of paper. Cut out colorful paper feathers (or use real ones). Put tape on the feathers, blindfold the contestants and let the fun begin.
• Build candy turkeys. Use a chocolate sandwich cookie for the base, a small peanut butter cup for the body, a malt ball for the head, another cookie behind for the tail, and candy corn for the tail feathers. Assemble with chocolate frosting and use orange and red frosting for the eyes, beak, wattle (that thing that hangs from the turkey's neck) and feet.
• Have a hand turkey contest. Put out some basic art supplies and challenge your loved ones to make the best hand turkey. You can be the judge or assign that honor to one of the guests. Make sure to have some prizes and offer them in multiple categories (like Best Spirit of Thanksgiving, Smallest Turkey, Best Celebrity Turkey, etc).

Learn more about Thanksgiving Day Traditions.