23 Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas: Things To Do, To Eat and To See

When you’re short on time look to these 23 last minute Thanksgiving ideas for quick & fun activities, delicious food & pretty things for the table. Find easy ideas for yummy food to eat, free printable activities to keep everyone busy, and simple, festive decor to make your celebration memorable.

If you find yourself facing the coming Thanksgiving holiday with a bit of worry over what the heck to do, I know how you feel.

I used to feel like this a lot, even though I don’t usually host a dinner. I’d help my mom set the table and cook the turkey, as well as provide side dishes, and I often ran around the day-of trying to collect leaves or something to make the tables look festive.

That’s one of the reasons I created the Holiday Planner complete with a week-of-Thanksgiving checklist, to help remember what can be done in advance and the steps to take on the day itself.

But still, there are always some things that get forgotten.

Or things you’d like to add (like activities for kids) but don’t have a lot of time. This is just life, right?

So here is a list of ideas for fun activities that you can simply print out, as well as foods that are perfect for the holiday but take just minutes, and super easy ways to help your table and home look festive (more free downloads here, too!).

The best part is that no one will guess these last minute Thanksgiving ideas weren’t planned way in advance. It’ll just be our secret.

23 Easy Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas

7 Fun Things to Do

1. Thanksgiving Mad Libs Printable @ Happiness is Homemade

2. I Spy Thanksgiving Printable @ Live Laugh Rowe

3. Thanksgiving Conversation Starters Printable @ Oh My Creative

4. Printable Fall Bookmarks to Color @ The Bensons Street

5. Thanksgiving Playlist @ Julie Blanner

6. Thanksgiving Coloring Placemats Printable @ Ella Claire Inspired

7. Thanksgiving Photo Booth Printables @ Capturing Joy

8 Yummy Things to Eat

1. Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Sangria @ Inspired By Charm

2. Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball @ Make Life Lovely

3. Flavorful Curried Deviled Eggs @ An Oregon Cottage

4. Sweet-Salty Roasted Sweet Potatoes @ Julie Blanner

5. White Wine Roasted Turkey with Amazing Gravy @ AnOregonCottage (just in case you need a good turkey recipe!)

6. Sweet & Savory Sausage Cranberry Stuffing/Dressing @ AnOregonCottage

7. Glazed Apple Fritter Cookie Bites @ Simplify Live Love

8. Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Pie Bites @ Tastes of Lizzy T

6 Pretty Things to Look At

1. Printable Thanksgiving Napkin Holders @ Bitz N Giggles

2. Buffalo Check Thankful Printable @ Tatertots & Jello

3. Watercolor Pumpkins Art Printable @ The Weathered Fox

4. Printable Chalkboard Nameplates and Thankful Decorations @ AnOregonCottage

5. Pumpkin Flower Arrangements @ Garden Therapy

6. Dry Erase Board Menu Printables @ Fox Hollow Cottage

I hope this list of fun ideas helps you to have a sweet but low-stress holiday!