Inspiration
10 Tips for Hosting an Outdoor Thanksgiving
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Here in Central Virginia, we are often graced with beautiful weather on Thanksgiving. Comfortable temperatures and sunny skies allow us to take our holiday celebrations outdoors onto our porches, patios, and decks.
Because an Outdoor Thanksgiving features a few extra challenges and obstacles, a thoughtful plan is an absolute must. With our helpful tips, you will be on your way to hosting a truly special Thanksgiving.
tip #1
Have a Backup Plan
Mother Nature is unpredictable and it is important to have a backup plan if the weather doesn't work out. Hosting Thanksgiving is stressful enough; don't add to it by putting all of your trust in Mother Nature.
TIP #2
Add Festive Decor
This is not just another meal you are hosting. This is Thanksgiving! Add to your guests' experience by setting a truly autumnal scene on your deck or patio.
Create a Walkway
Lead your guests to the dinner table with a pumpkin-lined path. It gives the space a special seasonal touch that will elevate the experience for friends and family.
Create a Weather-Appropriate Centerpiece
Your centerpiece should be styled with items that won’t blow away in the breeze. The obvious choice is pumpkins, which can hold other accessories like leaves and branches in place. Or try to create a chic planter with late fall produce like lettuce or cabbage plants.
Keeping Costs Under Control
1. Take Advantage of Sales: Pumpkins, gourds, and decorative corn immediately go on sale after Halloween as does most autumn décor at craft stores.
2. Utilize your Landscape for FREE: Try incorporating branches and leaves from your landscape; Pinterest is sure to have countless creative ideas.
3. It Never Hurts to Ask: If they’re not hosting Thanksgiving, your friends and neighbors might be happy to give you their pumpkins, gourds and other items that will be thrown away as the Christmas decorations start to go up.
Tip #3
Add Warming Elements
Even the prettiest of November days is bound to be chilly at times, especially once the sun goes down. It’s important to be prepared in a variety of ways.
Style with Pillows & Blankets
These pillows and blankets will keep guests comfortable and act as décor to help set the mood. Be sure to outfit every room of your patio, porch, and deck with plenty of warming decor.
Start a Fire
The scent of burning logs, the sound of crackling embers, and the glow of amber flames are all essential to setting the autumn mood. Stay stocked with plenty of firewood to keep your fire pit or fireplace going throughout the day.
Space Heaters
These features add countless hours of enjoyment to your space. If you're not ready to make the investment, consider renting one.
Tip #4
Bring the TV Outdoors
Outdoor televisions and sound systems have truly revolutionized the use of Outdoor Living Spaces. Adding an Outdoor Television to your porch, patio, or deck ensures that you and your guests won’t miss a single balloon of the Macy's parade or snap of the Thanksgiving football games.
tip #5
Plan Yard Games
And speaking of games, be sure to provide yard games for your guests to play during pre-dinner cocktails or to work off that second plate. Corn hole, croquet, horseshoes, and touch football are always a hit.
tip #7
Lighting is Key
Enchanted meals truly depend upon the magic of lighting. String lights always create an enjoyable ambiance and are very versatile in application; lights can be strung on pergolas, arbors, pavilions, and trees. If the winds are calm, consider placing candles throughout the space, including interspersed with flowers and gourds on a festive table. Varying the intensity and source of illumination will add depth and drama to your space.
tip #8
Utilize Outdoor Cooking Methods
One of the biggest headaches of preparing Thanksgiving is the lack of oven space required for the numerous dishes and desserts. Hosting an Outdoor Thanksgiving should encourage you to use cooking methods other than the oven. Whether you have a grill, smoker, griddle, and/or side burner, all of your outdoor appliances can play a role in your Turkey Day meal.
Grilled or Smoked Turkey
If you really want to free up oven space, consider cooking your turkey and ham on the grill or smoker. Depending on the size of your bird, consider using of your rotisserie attachment.
Stuffing / Dressing
Remember that your grill can be used as an oven, including for your holiday dressing. If you're doing a rotisserie bird, place your dressing underneath to catch the flavorful drippings.
Grilled Vegetables
Give your vegetables a flavor upgrade! All of your Thanksgiving favorites, including squash, potatoes, and corn, taste wonderful off the grill. Check out our Vegetable Grilling Guide for tips!
All the Potatoes
Whether it's mashed potatoes prepared on a side burner or this delicious spin on candied yams (pictured above), there is no reason that your outdoor kitchen can't be used for all of your potato preparations.
Pumpkin Pie
You've cooked everything else on your grill; you can't stop with dessert! As with everything else, you can use your grill like an oven for anything, including baked goods. Check out our guide to using your grill like an oven for more tips!
Warm Sides, Sauces & Drinks
And be sure to utilize your grill or outdoor kitchen burners that are perfect for side dishes, sauces, and warming drinks like apple cider.
Food Network Guide
If you're considering a full meal on the grill, check out this fantastic Thanksgiving Grilling guide from The Food Network!
tip #9
Keeping Food Warm
Keeping food warm outdoors in November can be a challenge if you’re not prepared.
Utilize Lids and Tinfoil
The simple and most obvious solution is to use serving dishes that have a lid. That said, not all dishes have lids and sometimes you want to use a decorative serving plate. If you have a fresh roll of tinfoil ready to go, keeping these dishes covered is not a problem.
Carve Tableside
Consider carving your turkey tableside. This will keep your meat warm and add to everyone’s enjoyment. Dinner and a show!
Use Your Grill Like an Oven
When dining inside, we often stick food in an low-temperature oven to keep it warm. There is no reason that you cannot use your grill the exact same way!
tip #10
Consider Renting (if your budget allows)
Instead of buying paper plates or storing additional sets that will only get used twice a year. Additionally, don’t buy new card tables and fold up chairs that will eventually (or immediately) become a storage nightmare. Make a few quick calls to local party rental companies to see if it’s in your budget. As an added bonus, many rental companies insist on washing their own dishes! Can you even put a price on not doing the dishes after Thanksgiving dinner?!?
Bonus TIp!!!
Craft a Signature Cocktail
A fun way to elevate any gathering is to offer a signature cocktail. For your Outdoor Thanksgiving, consider something like Outdoor Dreams' "Home for the Holidays." This delicious pumpkin-infused, rum cocktail would be perfect around a fire to kick off your festivities or after dinner with (or in lieu of) dessert. The toasted marshmallow garnish adds a layer of fun and is a great way to incorporate your fire feature into the festivities!
Looking for Additional Inspiration?
Click through these fall-themed projects for additional outdoor thanksgiving inspiration
A Backyard to be Thankful For
This couple in Glen Allen wanted a versatile outdoor space that could be used to entertain visiting family and friends. The outdoor space that we created includes a fireplace, two-room patio, pergola, sitting walls, pillars, stepping stone walkways, and comprehensive landscaping and lighting plans. This beautiful transformation truly comes to life as the backdrop for an outdoor Thanksgiving to remember.
A Perfect Fall Retreat
This client contacted Outdoor Dreams to transform his backyard into a space where he could entertain friends and enjoy watching sporting events. For this project, we demolished an old garage and designed this space that includes a paver patio, outdoor fireplace, sitting walls, landscaping, and a custom garage with an outdoor kitchen and bar area.
Lakeview Patio in Powhatan
This client contracted Outdoor Dreams to create a space that would encourage them to get outside more to enjoy their beautiful lakeside property. The resulting patio space features a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, and more; all with an unbeatable view!
The space is staged beautifully for fall and will provide plenty of inspiration if you're looking to host an outdoor Thanksgiving.
A Backyard for Every Season
This stunning project has been designed to provide outdoor enjoyment throughout the entire year. The complete backyard renovation includes a gunite pool, waterfall, paver patio & pool deck, outdoor fireplace, expansive outdoor kitchen, retaining walls, pergola, outdoor television, native landscaping, outdoor lighting, and more!
A Cozy Retreat in Short Pump
Before Outdoor Dreams, poor drainage rendered this portion of the backyard unusable. Simply walking through this area would ruin your shoes and leave a trail of mud following wherever you walked. The resulting space transformed the muddy mess into a multi-purpose outdoor room with a wood-burning fire pit.