Tips on How to Hold an Outdoor Thanksgiving Dinner

People love Thanksgiving because it brings families together over a shared meal. Almost every year, you probably celebrate the festival indoors. So why not try having a special yet intimate outdoor Thanksgiving dinner?

You might worry about many things, like what if it starts to rain, or you don't have a clue what to prepare. In this article, we will share tips to help you hold Thanksgiving outside in order.

Tips on Warm Outdoor Thanksgiving Dinner

Let's choose the location first, but it won't be hard, because holding a backyard outdoor dinner party for Thanksgiving is the best answer for its convenience. So let's talk about how to prepare the rest.

Simple Table Setup

What kind of table setup would you like? You might say that you would like an outdoor Thanksgiving dinner table full of a festive vibe. That's a good idea, but it would be better to keep it simple.

Simple tablecloths and cutlery would be enough for outdoor Thanksgiving dinner decorations, as they would leave plenty of space for the food. You can add a centerpiece to decorate if there's so much space left, but don't put a tall and large one in the middle, or it will block the view. 

Bring Cooking into the Backyard

Since you are changing the dinner location, why not have another interesting outdoor Thanksgiving dinner idea, like buffet-style? So that your families can serve themselves and choose what they like. 

A buffet table is easy to set up. You can put some warming utensils with labels on a long table, telling your families it is BBQ turkey, stews, or desserts.

Don't Forget the Beverage

A wonderful outdoor Thanksgiving dinner needs good beverages! How about preparing some cocktails and soft drinks? That way, both adults and children can enjoy their meal.

It would be a good idea to provide some hot drinks, as it will be a chilly autumn night. This will keep everyone warm and prevent them from getting cold. Hot drinks such as soup, coffee, and hot chocolate are a great choice for a cozy dinner.

Set up Thanksgiving Outside Games

Playing a few Thanksgiving outside games together is a great way for families to bond and create a more intimate atmosphere. You could prepare simple games such as darts, ball games, or poker, or any other games that are easy to set up. Everyone will enjoy the post-meal activities.

Protect Your Thanksgiving Outside from the Weather

To avoid ruining your unforgettable outdoor Thanksgiving dinner with rain, it's smart to prepare a tent. We highly recommend the waterproof and UV-proof pole tent from Sheltent, which will provide shelter for your family. It is quick to set up thanks to its prefabricated modular design and durable due to its high-quality materials.

Keep the Guest Warm

Blankets and pillows are a classic choice for keeping warm. They can be draped over the body or placed on the seat of a chair or sofa. Alternatively, you can use a more direct method: add some heat. A fire pit is inexpensive and effective. All you need is some kindling to get the fire going and warm up your family.  

Although installing a fireplace would cost more, it creates a particularly cozy vibe, which could be one of the decorating ideas for Thanksgiving outside.

Furthermore, as mentioned previously, hot drinks as part of a delicious dinner will keep your family away from cold.

Keep Food and Drinks Warm

You might be wondering how to keep food and drinks warm before or during dinner. When some dishes have been finished and others are still to be done, try using insulated containers and aluminium foil to keep them warm.

An insulated container will also help during dinner. If you are still worried that the cold weather will cool the food down quickly, you can use an electric griddle and place your food on top of it.

Set up Outdoor Thanksgiving Decorations for Dinner

Outdoor party decorations set the Thanksgiving atmosphere and showcase your unique style. Start with your harvest entrance by decorating your backyard door and fence with hay bales and pumpkins.

You can also decorate your path with fall lanterns to provide a pleasant view, illumination, and guidance, lighting your outdoor event. In the open space, use fall flower pots, pumpkins and straw piles to make your rustic outdoor Thanksgiving dinner unforgettable.

Enjoy a Peaceful Outdoor Thanksgiving Dinner With Sheltent

Now you know how to hold an outdoor Thanksgiving dinner. The remaining question is, which tent should you choose to plan for the unpredictable weather? We introduce you to Sheltent, the manufacturer that provides high-quality and user-friendly tents. 

The solid aluminum alloy structure and the tear-resistant fabric tarps make the tent so durable, even when facing harsh weather. And thanks to its prefabricated modular design, it is so easy and quick to build and use, saving you so much time. Additionally, it is affordable for every customer, and you won't find such an excellent tent at this price elsewhere. 

Reach out to Sheltent today and plan a memorable outdoor Thanksgiving dinner!