Whether you're hosting your family or a whole flock of friends, there's no denying that Thanksgiving is a party. There are lots of ways to make the day special, but one of our favorites is to give out Thanksgiving party favors to guests. They'll have something to take home besides the standard box or bag of leftovers, and favors can look really cute on your Thanksgiving table too.
Tasty Thanksgiving Party Favors for Kids
Children love small trinkets they can take home as their very own, whether they are from a birthday party, holiday get together or even Thanksgiving dinner. Since Thanksgiving events traditionally revolve around food, edible party favors are always popular. Edible Thanksgiving craft party favors should complement the event without being so filling that children will lose their appetites for the delicious dinner to come. A few seeds or berries, properly explained, can be a tasty favor as well as educational and interesting.
Tasty options for kids' favors include:
- Pumpkin seeds or parched corn to commemorate foods eaten at the first Thanksgiving
- Foil-wrapped chocolates in harvest colors
- Pumpkin cookies stacked in a mini pie tin and tied with twine
- Fresh cranberries, so children learn how the berries really taste
- Popcorn balls or flavored popcorn
- Waffle cone cornucopia filled with berries, fruit snacks, or candy corn
- DIY "wampum" necklaces where kids add round candies or cereals with holes in the center to strings and trade with friends
- Crisp rice turkey treats where the body is made from chocolate crisp rice and the feathers are made from Fruity Pebbles in a turkey-shaped cookie cutter
- Microwavable brownie served in a Thanksgiving mug
- Booklets of blank homemade coupons give kids the chance to give to others by adding what they can do for someone and giving the coupons away
- Thanksgiving cake pops in shapes like a pumpkin and a turkey
Fun Toys & Thanksgiving Favors for Kids
Many people opt for non-edible favors so the impact of the traditional dinner is not usurped. These themed party favors will keep the Thanksgiving spirit alive beyond the dinner table. Kids' non-food favor options include:
- Coloring placemats with Thanksgiving themes
- Small stuffed turkeys or other themed novelties
- Turkey callers (similar to those used by hunters)
- Personalized pilgrim hats
- Miniature framed Thanksgiving poem for kids
- Make a gift card holder by gluing two felt turkeys together around the bottom and edges for older kids
- Cute, crocheted turkey hats
- Free, printed Pin the Feathers on the Turkey game
- Thanksgiving crackers or party poppers made from toilet paper rolls and fall themed wrapping paper
Favors for children should be age-appropriate (no choking hazards or complicated games), related to the event, and relatively indestructible. When in doubt, hosts can ask parents about the appropriateness of items and what may be suitable for specific children.
Delicious Thanksgiving Party Favors for Adults
Party favors for adults are more sophisticated than those for children and can often be used again. Adult party favors are less frequently edible, although gourmet treats such as pumpkin spice truffles or pumpkin pie cheesecake bites are always a delicious option. Try one of these:
- Box of mini cranberry sauce-topped cheesecakes or other mini Thanksgiving dessert
- Thanksgiving Day cocktails like the Turkey Tini in Mason jars with lids
- Soup mix in a jar like the Creamy Chicken, Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup Mix; change the directions to add leftover turkey instead of chicken
- Small gravy boat featuring an easy chocolate gravy recipe and the required ingredients
- Thanksgiving mug with pumpkin spice cappuccino mix included
- Set of mini liquor bottles decorated to look like a Pilgrim, a Native American, and a turkey
- Mini cast-iron skillet filled with pre-made cornbread from your favorite recipe or a wrapped loaf
Decorative Adult Thanksgiving Favors
The key to a great favor for adults is to look for something that is more than just a trinket to take home. By choosing an elegant or useful item, the party host has provided one more reason for everyone to give thanks.
- Turkey candle crafts with scented candles in vanilla, pumpkin, cookie and other holiday aromas
- Personalized thank-you notes or Thanksgiving cards with initials or monograms to make giving thanks easier
- Set of crocheted turkey napkin rings
- Seasonal stained glass window hanging made from Thanksgiving stained glass patterns
- Small floral arrangements that may be used to decorate the table
- DIY fall wreath Thanksgiving craft in full-size or miniature version
- Receipt organizers or other items to use during the holiday shopping season
- Individual Thanksgiving scrapbook page with photos of the two of you together and a funny Thanksgiving poem
- DIY Native American pottery small bowls or trays
- Downloaded Thanksgiving music on a CD or shareable playlist
- Small decorated pumpkins or squashes, perhaps with autumn leaves, maize or other themed accents
Display Thanksgiving party favors as part of the table décor, if the meal is to be the central activity of the event. Favors could either be placed on each guest's plate prior to the meal, incorporated into the decor as place card holders next to the glasses or silverware, or grouped together as a centerpiece.
Where to Shop for Thanksgiving Favors
Thanksgiving favors are easy to find throughout the fall harvest season. Check local party supply stores to see what they have in their inventory. If you want to create the favors from scratch, check out craft supply stores in November for the best supplies to make your Thanksgiving favors. Don't forget to consider using fall wedding favors as elegant Thanksgiving party favors. If personalization is required, use the year or Thanksgiving party theme.
Shopping online provides a number of favor options, both in and out of the Thanksgiving season.
- Party City has favors such as a Pilgrim rubber duck or a pumpkin pie scented plush keychain.
- For a crafty look without the work, check out autumn craft shows and online shops like Etsy for favors.
- Kate Aspen offers a lot of options for Thanksgiving favors, from personalized bottle stoppers to mini jam pots.
Related: Printable Thanksgiving Place Cards & Other Cute Ideas
Thanksgiving Favors Aren't Necessary, But They Are Fun
You don't have to have Thanksgiving party favors at your event, but they can be a really fun way to help guests feel welcome and included. There are so many ideas to choose from, so there's a favor that will be perfect for the people you're hosting.
