How to hosting Thanksgiving - Turkey Trot Party edition- ideas needed!
November 12, 2023 3:53 PM Subscribe
I live at the start/finish line for my town's Turkey Trot, so I host a little party every Thanksgiving morning. About half of the people who come are runners so they are in and out, but the rest come to watch and socialize. I usually keep it pretty simple: coffee, water, donuts, mimosas. I'm looking for some simple ideas for taking it up a notch decoration-wise without going crazy.
I don't host many things and usually keep it simple for this event. Everyone seems to have fun, and I know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it...but I'm wondering I should be doing a bit more? Decorations? Goody bags? Banner for the runners? Photo backdrop wall? Looking for some fun ideas.
(There have been some newer bars opening up in the area in recent years that I feel like I'm now competing with.)
I don't host many things and usually keep it simple for this event. Everyone seems to have fun, and I know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it...but I'm wondering I should be doing a bit more? Decorations? Goody bags? Banner for the runners? Photo backdrop wall? Looking for some fun ideas.
(There have been some newer bars opening up in the area in recent years that I feel like I'm now competing with.)
Does the Turkey Trot hosting org have a social media account and a known #hashtag for the event? Do you have an Instagram account or would you be willing to set one up? You could take snapshots or have the photo wall (or any kind of backdrop, a finish line banner etc) so people can take their own photos and post them on their own accounts. And then using a tv/monitor/projector, have a live auto-refreshing social media wall. I haven't used one of these in ages, but based on a cursory skim, it looks like there are still lots of free options. I think a common use is at wedding receptions and big conferences, but especially if your town's Turkey Trot participants dress up in costumes, it might be fun!
posted by spamandkimchi at 4:56 PM on November 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by spamandkimchi at 4:56 PM on November 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Fruit. Whether salad-ized, or just piled in a bowl. FRUIT.
posted by atomicstone at 6:31 PM on November 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by atomicstone at 6:31 PM on November 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I did brunch parties at my old house, which was on the 4th of July parade route (our parade starts at 9:30 am, so early!)
Anyway - one of the biggest hits was a yogurt bar. A big tub of plain or vanilla yogurt, and smaller bowls of toppings (fruit, nuts, granola, Fruity Pebbles, honey, maple syrup). I basically copied the self-serve frozen yogurt bar. Even better, the leftovers are delicious and keep well.
A photo backdrop is a cute idea. Maybe a selection of noisemakers to cheer with?
posted by Sparky Buttons at 6:55 PM on November 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Anyway - one of the biggest hits was a yogurt bar. A big tub of plain or vanilla yogurt, and smaller bowls of toppings (fruit, nuts, granola, Fruity Pebbles, honey, maple syrup). I basically copied the self-serve frozen yogurt bar. Even better, the leftovers are delicious and keep well.
A photo backdrop is a cute idea. Maybe a selection of noisemakers to cheer with?
posted by Sparky Buttons at 6:55 PM on November 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Gourds placed artfully arrive the front door. Flower bunches in jam jars indoors. Take instant photos of each person who comes in, and display those photos year after year. Guestbook in the bathroom or other high traffic spot.
posted by cocoagirl at 3:18 AM on November 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by cocoagirl at 3:18 AM on November 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Great ideas! Thank you, everyone!
posted by I_carried_a_watermelon at 8:39 AM on November 19, 2023
posted by I_carried_a_watermelon at 8:39 AM on November 19, 2023
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posted by BlahLaLa at 4:38 PM on November 12, 2023 [2 favorites]