These Thanksgiving party ideas will make holiday truly special for your loved ones? Great food is only part of a great Thanksgiving party. Set the tone for a lovely fall feast with autumn-themed décor, and plan some special activities for a truly memorable gathering.
Atmosphere
Create a warm, welcoming feel by setting the table with autumn colors. Some miniature pumpkins and gourds make a lovely yet inexpensive centerpiece, particularly when placed among candles for a warm glow. For festive place settings, roll your napkins up, and tie them with a piece of raffia. Make place cards in the shape of fall leaves, and tuck them into the raffia.
The Thankful Tree
Place several large tree branches into a sturdy vase. Cut various leaf shapes out of colored construction paper or card stock. Place the leaves next to the vase, along with colored markers and some string. Have guests write things they are thankful for on the leaves, and then hang them on the tree branches with the string.
Thanksgiving Trivia
To give your guests something to do while waiting for dinner, write some Thanksgiving trivia questions onto index cards, and have a little friendly Thanksgiving trivia competition. Make sure to have a variety of questions for all your guests; easier ones for the kids to guess, as well as more challenging questions for the adults. There are several Web sites with lists of holiday-themed trivia questions you can use.
Autumn Walk
After dinner, rather than flopping down on the sofa in a post-turkey haze, why not bundle the family into their sweaters and jackets for an after-dinner walk? Scuffling through fallen leaves and enjoying the crisp autumn air can be a wonderful way for families to spend time together. If your family is particularly adventurous, you can even walk down to a local park for a game of touch football.
With a bit of planning, you can make your Thanksgiving Day celebration one that your guests will remember for years to come. Some of the activities you plan may even end up becoming cherished new family traditions.
 | A well-organized Thanksgiving party can enhance a delicious dinner and create an atmosphere of love and calm where guests can reflect on what makes them feel grateful. |
Family-that's what we think about at the Thanksgiving table. We are all thankful for so many things, but having family members nearby is one of many wonderful Thanksgiving family traditions. |
 | We have many Thanksgiving traditions that originate hundreds of years ago. Brush up on your Thanksgiving trivia with a little bit of the history behind many popular traditions. |
 | You've been diligent about your diet, and you don't want to regain the weight you've lost during Thanksgiving events and celebrations. Here's how to fight temptation without insulting your host. |
Popular Thanksgiving customs include turkey, football and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Find out how these things became a part of Thanksgiving celebrations. |
