Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas & Hostess Tips

Did Thanksgiving sneak up on you? Here are some last minute Thanksgiving ideas to help you have a stress-free and pretty Thanksgiving holiday complete with hostess tips and a pretty tablescape, obvi. 😉 Happy entertaining, friends.

Photography by Jacqui Cole Photography.

Last Minute Thanksgiving Ideas

Serve a welcome cocktail at the door.

Welcome guests with a tray of self-serve cocktails. Prepare a large batch in advance and just before guests are scheduled to arrive, pour over ice and serve. Try a cocktail fitting for fall like a spiced pear cocktail.

Recipe: Spiced Pear Cocktail

24 oz Pear Nectar

12 oz Vodka

Seeds of 1 vanilla bean

Dash Cinnamon

Sliced pear for garnish

Blend & serve over ice

(makes 8 cocktails)

As you all know, I’m obsessed with tablescapes so here’s a last minute Thanksgiving idea for styling your tabletop.

Add an unexpected element.

Impress your guests with a fun and unique element. We created individual charcuterie boards for each guest which is a cute alternative to a large charcuterie board. For another impactful moment, we repurposed a large round candle holder as a focal point floral centerpiece.

When it comes to food, work smarter not harder.

You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to host a dinner party with delicious food. Think simplistic in terms of menu and purchase pre-prepared dishes to go alongside the ones you make and/or make as much as possible in advance. One-pot dishes such as a batch of stew or soup are easy and hearty. Our menu here features a couple of pre-prepared options from Whole Foods like their butternut squash soup.

Mini desserts are always a great idea.
These mini caramel apples are a cute and easy dessert idea. Mini apples are typically sold at Whole Foods this time of year and the caramel sauce is packaged. Simply dip the apples in the sauce and finish off with sliced pecans.

Unique place cards.
Save space on your table by hanging place cards off of the chairs. These are simple wood tags from the craft store tied to the chair with jute string.

Always say yes to flowers.
Place an order with your local florist for an arrangement or even loose flowers that you can style yourself. At the very least, there are always great flower options available at Whole Foods and Trader Joes or your local grocery store.

Can we just talk for a sec about these adorable tassel linen napkins?? I love the tassel detail and the camel color so much!

Spruce up an outdoor area for guests to mingle.

Create a cozy and welcoming vignette on your porch or patio and utilize your outdoor space. Dress up the space with pillows and throw blankets giving guests an area to relax before or after dinner.

There ya have it, a few last minute Thanksgiving ideas and hostess tips. Hungry for more pretty tablescape inspiration? Check out these three very unique and non-traditional Thanksgiving tablescapes ideas.

Get the look: