Thanksgiving Traditions

Host a delicious, festive Thanksgiving (or Friendsgiving!) feast with these simple tips.

Of all the food-filled holidays, Thanksgiving is my favorite. How can you go wrong with so many delicious dishes and fun Thanksgiving desserts surrounded by the people you love? One of my favorite traditions is decking out our Thanksgiving table with my favorite sides and seasonal decor to make our gathering even more memorable.

Whether you’re hosting your family on Thanksgiving or creating delicious Friendsgiving desserts, these low-maintenance tips will give you more time to focus on spending quality time with your loved ones. Here are my top tips to create a memorable, mouthwatering Thanksgiving table.

Serve mini Thanksgiving desserts that feel like home

When it comes to planning holiday meals, I always think about dessert first. My go-to dessert for Thanksgiving are the Baked by Melissa Give Thanks Cupcakes, available in five seasonal flavors, including Caramel Apple Pie, Brownie Cheesecake, and Pumpkin Pie. (Get it? They're everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving desserts, but so small that you can have them all!)

To make sure everyone can reach their favorite Thanksgiving dessert, make sure to place a few cake stands of bite-size cupcakes throughout the table so everyone is close to the treats they love the most.

Get these Thanksgiving treats delivered or pick them up at any Baked by Melissa location. For every Give Thanks Cupcakes 25-Pack sold, Baked by Melissa will donate $1 to City Harvest, helping to feed two New Yorkers in need for a day.

Make a seasonal array of delicious sides

For me, good sides that rival the main meal complete a holiday feast. For Thanksgiving, I love to lean into the fall aesthetic and make simple recipes full of rich colors and seasonal produce. Whip these up the day before to save yourself time on the day of.

CARROT SALAD

RAINBOW KALE SALAD

ROASTED SQUASH & RICE

Create a festive tablescape

Table runners make a gorgeous statement piece and can really help bring a table together (and protect it from sticky fingers). For a rustic, homey feel I love this table runner with neutral stripes.

…and top with your favorite fall items!

Pumpkins, pinecones, leaves, you name it, having them on the table will put everyone at your feast in the Thanksgiving spirit! Gathering these items are a great way to involve kids in the celebration or even decorate—think about getting some keepsake white pumpkins and gourds for them to brush with red, orange, yellow, and brown paints. Not only is it an easy and fun activity, but it turns Thanksgiving decorating into a family affair, just like the feast.

Build a warm, welcoming ambiance

There’s something about candle ambiance that really ties a Thanksgiving table together. With tiny hands and lots of arms reaching across the table, I typically use these warm white flameless tea candles rather than actual fire. Best of all, they candles come with batteries, so it’s one less thing I have to remember at the store.