Let me start by saying there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the tried and true Thanksgiving celebration. I love turkey the way my grandmother made it, mounds of mashed potatoes and those little glazed carrots.  But this year, why not start some new traditions? Maybe inject a little surprise into the festivities? Here are a few ideas:

Table Setting Suggestions

• Scatter some real leaves in autumn colours on the table.
• Make a fruit bowl for your table or sideboard by hollowing out a pumpkin and halving it. A beautiful way to display the bounty of the harvest!
• Make the table glow with gold chargers. Take your old mismatched plates (bigger is best) and spray paint them gold.
• No festive cloth napkins? Buy a yard or two of fabric, cut and hem, and presto, instant Thanksgiving napkins!
• Provide a candle for everyone. Every person gets their own small candle at their place setting – a variety of holders and candles can be found at dollar and discount stores. (And you can still have centrepiece candles besides!)
• Find quotes or poems about being thankful and print out a different one for each guest, scroll and tie with ribbon (add a seasonal leaf/twig to the ribbon). I like this one: “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

Keeping the Kids Busy

Suggest the kids make Thanksgiving cards – or better yet – Thanksgiving hats for the guests to wear at dinner time. Could be very, very funny to see Uncle Ned in an orange cone hat!

Soft Pumpkin Cookies (instead of Pumpkin Pie)

Your kids will love to help with these and you can make them in advance. How good is that? This dessert is sure to deliver smiles.

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. salt

1-1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Orange Glaze (recipe follows)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Orange Glaze over cookies.

Orange Glaze:

Combine 1-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel in medium bowl until smooth.

Makes 20 cookies.

More Non-traditional Dinner Ideas

How about a light soup to kick off the feast?  Butternut squash makes a delicious soup.

In addition to turkey, serve something you rarely have.  Maybe a side dish of clams or lobster or venison!

Make salads that showcase seldom used vegetables.  Google salad recipes with eggplant, cauliflower and other delicious veggies as the main ingredient.

Post Feast Festivities

Yes, the sofa beckons. But instead, why not go for a group walk? Make your way to the neighbourhood park and sit on the swings, or play catch or football. Get some fresh air! 

Want to stay indoors?  How about a limbo contest? Or a board game from the past like Operation, Kerplunk or Ants in Pants?  You’ll be surprised at what’s in the closet…

Have fun!

Whatever you serve, whatever you do after the dinner, the theme is “gratitude”. Be thankful for your blessings, patient with your troubles and keep your heart open to joy. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tags: entertaining, Fall, recipes