Three years into hosting Thanksgiving, SN and I have learned a few strategies for making the holiday meal (and the time spent before and after the meal because, let's face it, there's a lot more to a family gathering than just the meal) a success.
I print elegant menus like the ones at my favorite restaurant. I print funny and interesting food-related quotes and facts, which I scatter along the table. (Julia Child has some great ones. “Always remember: If you’re alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who’s going to know?”)
My most popular Thanksgiving printable has to be Thanksgiving Bingo cards. Featuring gems such as "Was part of a prolonged awkward silence," "Played bartender," and "Forgot someone's name," it's the perfect conversation starter. The first person to complete their card wins a prize.
When the table has been set, I place a Bingo card on each plate, accompanied by a little pencil. (These pencils specifically, which are a bargain and couldn't be cuter. Each year, my guests and I puzzle over how the pencils are made.) You can leave them as-is or add a name to each and use them as creative place cards.
(Side note for anyone who cringed at the mention of place cards: I tried this last year with guys on one side of the table and gals on the other, even though I feared my guests would complain. It was a surprise hit! Who knew assigned seating could be fun?)
I print elegant menus like the ones at my favorite restaurant. I print funny and interesting food-related quotes and facts, which I scatter along the table. (Julia Child has some great ones. “Always remember: If you’re alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who’s going to know?”)
My most popular Thanksgiving printable has to be Thanksgiving Bingo cards. Featuring gems such as "Was part of a prolonged awkward silence," "Played bartender," and "Forgot someone's name," it's the perfect conversation starter. The first person to complete their card wins a prize.
When the table has been set, I place a Bingo card on each plate, accompanied by a little pencil. (These pencils specifically, which are a bargain and couldn't be cuter. Each year, my guests and I puzzle over how the pencils are made.) You can leave them as-is or add a name to each and use them as creative place cards.
(Side note for anyone who cringed at the mention of place cards: I tried this last year with guys on one side of the table and gals on the other, even though I feared my guests would complain. It was a surprise hit! Who knew assigned seating could be fun?)
My pups were thrilled with the "Got to pet a dog" Bingo square. I added it just for them. I briefly considered including "Fed a dog table scraps" before deciding that was asking for trouble.
Free Thanksgiving Printables
Sadly, the website where I created these custom Thanksgiving printables is no longer in business. You're in luck though because I still have my PDFs from last year. You can download the free Thanksgiving printables here. There are 30 unique cards.
You will be listening to your in-laws exclaim "Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!" in no time.
More Thanksgiving Ideas, Inspiration, and Favorite Recipes
2. The World's Easiest Thanksgiving Centerpiece (I'm not at all crafty but even I can handle this one. Plus, it's practically free!)
4. Drinks for a Crowd - Crock Pot Apple Cider (We keep bottles of rum and vodka nearby so guests have the option to spike their beverage, if desired. It's a great way to check another Bingo box.)
Bonus Content
6. How to Get Over the Flu: 5 Ways to Make Your Flu Recovery Faster and Easier (Because you don't want to be the person who made everyone sick at Thanksgiving!)