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    Get my newsletters + access to a library full of printables!

    Home » Blog » Easy DIY » Holiday & Seasonal Ideas

    November 16, 2017 | By Jami

    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.

    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 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 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:

    Last minute Thanksgiving ideas-Thanksgiving-Mad-Libs-Printable

    Thanksgiving Mad Libs Printable @ Happiness is Homemade

    Last minute Thanksgiving ideas-I Spy Thanksgiving Printable

    I Spy Thanksgiving Printable @ Live Laugh Rowe

    Free-Printable-Question-Cards-Thanksgiving-Conversation-Starters-OHMY-CREATIVE.COM

    Thanksgiving Conversation Starters Printable @ Oh My Creative

    Printable Fall Coloring Page Bookmarks @ By Dawn Nicole

    thanksgiving-playlist

    Thanksgiving Playlist @ Julie Blanner

    thanksgiving coloring placemats printable

    Thanksgiving Coloring Placemats Printable @ Ella Claire Inspired

    Free-Thanksgiving-Photo-Props-at-kristenduke.com

    Thanksgiving Photo Booth Printables @ Capturing Joy

    8 Yummy Things to Eat:

    crock-pot-sangria

    Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Sangria @ Inspired By Charm

    Turkey-cheese-ball-recipe-for-Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball @ Make Life Lovely

    cheese-olive-turkeys-last-minute-Thanksgiving-appetizers

    Cheese & Olive Turkey Appetizers @ Shaken Together

    roasted-sweet-potatoes-side-dish

    Sweet-Salty Roasted Sweet Potatoes @ Julie Blanner

    White Wine Roasted Turkey-with gravy

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

    Sweet and Savory Sausage-Cranberry Stuffing Dressing - An Oregon Cottage

    Sweet & Savory Sausage Cranberry Stuffing/Dressing @ AnOregonCottage

    apple-fritter-bites

    Glazed Apple Fritter Cookie Bites @ Simplify Live Love

    thanksgiving-chocolate-covered-pumpkin-pie-bites

    Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Pie Bites @ Tastes of Lizzy T

    6 Pretty Things to Look At:

    Thanksgiving-Napkin-Holders

    Printable Thanksgiving Napkin Holders @ Bitz N Giggles

    be-thankful-free-thanksgiving-printable-tatertots-and-jello

    Buffalo Check Thankful Printable @ Tatertots & Jello

    Watercolor-pumpking-fall-printable-art-Thankful

    Watercolor Pumpkins Art Printable @ The Weathered Fox

    Thanksgiving table gold-rustic place setting

    Rustic & Gold Thanksgiving Table with Free Printable Decorations @ AnOregonCottage

    Tailgating-Fall-Style-with-planted-pumpkins-at-the-farmers-market

    Pumpkin Flower Arrangements @ Garden Therapy

    Printable-Dessert-Menu-Dry-Erase-Board-by-Fox-Hollow-Cottage

    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:

    Thanksgiving recipes, decor and crafts on AnOregonCottage.com.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

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    1. Corrie says

      November 15, 2019 at 3:56 pm

      Oh, my gosh! This roundup rocks! I'm going to print some of the printables for my planner, make the conversation cards and the sangria, and a whole bunch of other things! Thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        November 15, 2019 at 5:04 pm

        I love it - so glad this was helpful for you Corrie!

        Reply
    2. Carole says

      November 18, 2017 at 8:19 am

      This is awesome, great organization for the perfect Thanksgiving. We're going to a friends this year so I'm off the hook and just have to come up with a sweet hostess gift. Those Pumpkin bites might be the perfect idea.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        November 20, 2017 at 3:54 pm

        Agreed, Carole - those would be a nice hostess gift!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jami and I'm so glad you're here! My desire is to help you live a simple homemade life through delicious whole food recipes, easy organic gardening and preserving your harvest.

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