With Thanksgiving on the horizon, it can be hard to decide how to spend the holiday weekend (when you’re not busy prepping for Thanksgiving dinner, of course). Luckily for you, we’ve got a whole bunch of fun ideas to guarantee a memorable holiday weekend with your friends and family!
Toss around the ol’ pigskin
For many Americans, fall is synonymous with football season! For that reason, one of Thanksgiving’s tried and true traditions has become watching Thanksgiving Day football. If you’ve got a good group of friends or relatives, join the action and get a touch football game going. There’s nothing better to build your appetite before Thanksgiving dinner!
Plan a game night
If you want a fun night with your friends or family, try playing board games or card games to bring a group together! For a hilarious night of misunderstandings, check out Incohearent and get to talking! For readers over 21 years old, we’ve got plenty of party games that guarantee a fun night. Designed to get you and your friends BASTED, check out the Do or Drink Card Game. Our Fucked Up-Opoly Game is a fun twist on a classic board game, or grab the Drink If Card Game for 1,200 wild reasons to celebrate. And for a night of the greener variety, Think Like a Stoner and GanjaLand: An Epic Weed Adventure are sure to please.
Get outside and go on a hike
There’s nothing quite like a breath of brisk fall air to recenter yourself during the craziness of the holiday season! As the leaves change and pop with color and the air becomes cooler, there really is no better time to get outdoors and appreciate nature. No matter where you live, there’s sure to be a hiking trail somewhere within driving distance. So, strap on your hiking boots, grab your trail mix, and hit the trails!
Throw a “Friendsgiving” potluck
Spending time with your family on Thanksgiving is important, but friends are family, too! Show how thankful you are for your closest friends this holiday season and throw a Friendsgiving potluck. Each of your friends should bring a dish, whether it’s an appetizer, an entrée, a side, a dessert, or drinks. Once the gang is all together, the good times will begin. For more ideas on your Friendsgiving festivities, check out How to Host the Ultimate Friendsgiving Party and get inspired!
Host a pie swap or a baking contest
Put your skills to the test and get your bake on this holiday season when you host your very own pie swap or baking contest! You can’t have Thanksgiving dinner without pie for dessert, after all. Simply invite your pie-loving friends and family over (with the prerequisite that everyone brings their own homemade pie) and commence the tasting! Swap slices with the other guests and return home with various pies and some recipes to try yourself. If you’re feeling competitive, introduce a scoring aspect to the night and turn the pie swap into a baking contest!
Get cozy and have a movie night
There’s nothing wrong with laying low and relaxing during the holidays! If you’re looking to embrace the coziness of the holiday season, assemble your invite list and throw on your favorite blanket because it’s time to get comfy. All you’ll need for your perfect movie night is a group of your closest friends or family, a great movie, cozy blankets, ambient lighting, and your favorite movie snacks. The movie choice is up to you! The possibilities are endless, whether you’re clinging to the Halloween season and going with a scary movie or perhaps skipping a holiday and watching a Christmas flick. If TV shows are more your speed, check out 9 Thanksgiving TV Episodes to Watch While You Wait for Dinner for some essential Thanksgiving viewing!
Run in a turkey trot
Looking to get active and build your appetite on Thanksgiving Day to make room for all of the deliciousness to come? If so, you may want to participate in a “turkey trot” this year. Turkey trots are a longstanding tradition nationwide in which participants spend Thanksgiving morning hitting the streets and running a long-distance race. Typical turkey trots are 5K runs, and many also feature some sort of charity component. Traditions like these are a great way to get active, be a part of your local community… and make room for more stuffing!
Get a head start on Black Friday shopping
The holiday season is a blur — before you know it, it’s already the new year! Many savvy shoppers prefer to get their holiday shopping out of the way early so they can relax and enjoy the holidays when they arrive. If you’re one of those people, your best bet may be to get your holiday shopping early and take advantage of those Black Friday deals! Whether shopping online or heading to stores before dawn, many people have made Black Friday shopping a yearly Thanksgiving tradition. And it goes without saying… From Christmas sweaters to white elephant gifts and stocking stuffers, Spencer’s has you covered with your style and gift needs this holiday season!
