23 Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas: Things To Do, To Eat, & To Look At

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.

If you find yourself facing the coming Thanksgiving holiday with a bit of angst 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 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 week-of Thanksgiving checklist with time-management tips – to help me remember what I can be getting done in advance and the steps to take on the day itself. I was just hoping it would help you guys, too (and many of you have told me it has, yay!).

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 I complied 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:

Thanksgiving Mad Libs Printable @ Happiness is Homemade

 

I Spy Thanksgiving Printable @ Live Laugh Rowe

 

Thanksgiving Conversation Starters Printable @ Oh My Creative

 

Thanksgiving Coloring Pages @ By Dawn Nicole

 

Thanksgiving Playlist @ Julie Blanner

 

Thanksgiving Coloring Placemats Printable @ Ella Claire Inspired

 

Thanksgiving Photo Booth Printables @ Capturing Joy

 

8 Yummy Things to Eat:

Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Sangria @ Inspired By Charm

 

Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball @ Make Life Lovely

 

Cheese & Olive Turkey Appetizers @ Shaken Together

 

Sweet-Salty Roasted Sweet Potatoes @ Julie Blanner

 

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

 

Sweet & Savory Sausage Cranberry Stuffing/Dressing @ AOC

 

Glazed Apple Fritter Cookie Bites @ Simplify Live Love

 

Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Pie Bites @ Tastes of Lizzy T

 

6 Pretty Things to Look At:

Printable Thanksgiving Napkin Holders @ Bitz N Giggles

 

Buffalo Check Thankful Printable @ Tatertots & Jello

 

Watercolor Pumpkins Art Printable @ The Weathered Fox

 

Rustic & Gold Thanksgiving Table with Free Printable Decorations @ AOC

 

Pumpkin Flower Arrangements @ Garden Therapy

 

Dry Erase Board Menu Printables @ Fox Hollow Cottage

 

I hope this helps you to have a sweet but low-stress holiday!

If you’l like more ideas, especially for foods like pies and heavenly dinner rolls, visit AOC’s all things Thanksgiving page with recipes, crafts and decor by clicking the image below: