Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday centered around food, family, and gratitude. If you’ve been invited to a Thanksgiving dinner, you may be wondering what you can contribute. Choosing the right dish or item to bring is key to being a thoughtful guest. This article will provide useful ideas and tips for items to bring that will make you a welcome addition to any Thanksgiving dinner gathering.
Appetizers and Side Dishes
Appetizers and side dishes are always appreciated additions to the Thanksgiving dinner spread. Consider bringing:
Salad
A salad featuring fall produce like pears, cranberries, squash, or sweet potatoes. Top with nuts or seeds for crunch. Vinaigrettes featuring maple syrup or apple cider vinegar make flavorful dressings.
Thanksgiving-Themed Deviled Eggs
Jazz up deviled eggs with Thanksgiving-inspired flavors like brown butter sage, roasted garlic, or turkey filling deviled eggs.
Green Bean Casserole
This comforting, crispy-topped Thanksgiving staple is sure to be a hit. Make it from scratch or dress up a store-bought version.
Stuffing or Dressing
Never enough stuffing on a Thanksgiving table! Bake it separately from the turkey for maximum crispiness.
Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy mashed potatoes are a perfect Thanksgiving side. Elevate them with mixes of cauliflower, sweet potatoes, garlic, cheese, or bacon.
Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce adds a delicious fruity note. Cook fresh or frozen cranberries with orange juice, spices, and sweetener.
Roasted Fall Vegetables
A medley of carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, or other in-season veggies roasted to caramelized perfection.
Desserts
They say every meal deserves a sweet ending. Bringing a Thanksgiving dessert will make you very popular!
Pumpkin Pie
No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without pumpkin pie and whipped cream. Make one from scratch or pick up a bakery pie.
Pecan or Apple Pie
Pecan and apple pie are quintessential fall desserts ideal for Thanksgiving. Serve warm with ice cream.
Thanksgiving-Spiced Cookies
Cheery spiced cookie platters make great pre-meal nibbles for kids and adults. Decorate them with turkeys, leaves, or pilgrim hats for extra festivity.
Pie Bar
A pie bar with mini graham cracker crusts and assorted fillings like chocolate pudding, pumpkin custard, lemon curd, or peanut butter fluff makes for a fun, interactive dessert.
Drinks
Offering to bring some sips along is also quite useful for your Thanksgiving hosts.
Wine, Beer, or Cider
An autumnal cider, spiced red wine, pumpkin ale, or your hosts’ favorite beers or wines are always welcome. Ask what they’d enjoy or what would pair well with the planned menu.
Spiced Cider or Hot Chocolate Bar
Set up a toasty drink station with sweet and spicy mulled apple cider, Mexican hot chocolate with all the fixings, or your signature hot toddy mix.
Pitchers of Infused Water
Festive pitchers of cranberry lime spritzer, cucumber melon water, or orange rosemary refresher make healthier quenching options for guests. Slice up fruit and herbs to infuse in water.
Coffee and Tea
Offer to put on a pot of decaf or regular coffee or hot water for tea after the big meal. Set up the fixings nearby so folks can doctor up their preferred cup.
Non-Food Items
Some handy things that aren’t edible can also come in very handy at a Thanksgiving feast.
Ice and Coolers
Extra ice is usually required to keep all the food and drinks chilled. Bring some bags to supplement the hosts’ supply or a big cooler to hold overflow.
Serving Dishes and Utensils
Offer to bring along chafing dishes, tiered platters, carving boards, serving spoons, pie servers, or anything to hold and serve the bounty of food. Disposable plates, cutlery, and cups may also useful if it’s a very large group.
Napkins and Table Coverings
Pick up some seasonal napkins, runners, placemats, or tablecloths to help decorate the table. Fall leaves, pilgrims, turkeys, and autumnal colors set a festive mood.
Centerpiece
A lovely floral or autumnal centerpiece elevates any Thanksgiving table. Use gourds, mini pumpkins, nuts, pinecones, branches, berries, and blooms native to your area for natural beauty.
Conclusion
The key things to keep in mind when bringing something to a Thanksgiving dinner are choosing items that complement the meal, suit the hosts’ needs and preferences, and add festivity to the occasion. An appetizer, side, dessert, drink, or serving item thoughtfully chosen with the spirit of the holiday in mind will make you a wonderful guest. Most importantly, bring a warm spirit of gratitude and community to share around the table. What you contribute is secondary to the connections made and memories forged at a Thanksgiving gathering.
