No More Going “Cold Turkey” On Thanksgiving

November 24, 2021
10:42 am

Home > Relationship Advice > No More Going “Cold Turkey” On Thanksgiving

Not everyone has their family around for thanksgiving but fortunately, there are tons of unique thanksgiving ideas for couples.Thanksgiving is a day to embrace all the goodness in your life, with the inclusion of your “significant other”.

No need to stress about your Thanksgiving plans, as there are tons of romantic thanksgiving ideas for couples. Keep reading to see which one is your perfect holiday activity!

Unique Thanksgiving activities for you and your love

Cook together

It may sound a bit “too good to be true” and something out of a rom-com, but if you plan in advance, cooking a Thanksgiving meal together can be super fun. First, you can go shopping together for the food, have fun with this and try to be a bit daring in the kitchen. There is tons of fun to be had and the kitchen can be a romantic place. Enjoy the time together and plan out your romantic meal.

You do not need to be the best cook in the world. If it is your first time making a turkey, even better! Joke around, be silly, and learn together. A Thanksgiving dinner for two means, you can add or subtract anything that you want. Do your own unique take on a Thanksgiving feast.

Create a Thanksgiving ritual and tradition

You don’t need an entire family to create traditions for Thanksgiving. As a couple, you can come up with your own special thanksgiving rituals and traditions. The possibilities are endless; this could be anything from taking a walk together, going for a drive, watching a thanksgiving movie, or making a special dessert.

You can do this every year and soon it will become something special and sacred just for the two of you.

Volunteer together for a good cause

Giving back to others, especially together as a couple can help you bond and connect on a deeper level. There are so many people and places that need help and don’t have anything.

Spending your time on this day giving back to others, can be a very enriching experience. There are plenty of non-profits and causes that need help, consider choosing one together.

Otherwise, you can create your own food parcels and give them out, or collect teddy bears and give them to children in the hospital on thanksgiving. Nothing beats a “power couple” doing good together.

Go away on a Thanksgiving vacation

Thanksgiving for two can be perfectly planned out and executed. Going away on a vacation can be extremely romantic and exciting. You can pick out the place together and both plan it out. If you both enjoy nature, you could choose a beautiful “home away from home” with views to die for. If you need some inspiration, check out our 12 Great Thanksgiving Destinations for Couples.

There is no better way to spend Thanksgiving than experiencing the beauty of nature together. Now is the time to give thanks for your lives and to take in every single moment that life has to offer.

Picture a fire by a log cabin, a romantic dinner for two, and an unbeatable view. Enjoy this special time by “living your very best life” together. Creating memories and moments that can be treasured and that you can be thankful for, literally forever.

Go for a drive

There is something beautiful about just getting into a car and driving on the open roads. Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to go on a road trip or a day trip. You can have fun together choosing the playlist for the ride, planning the snacks, and getting ready. This can be one of the most exciting Thanksgiving activities to do together as a couple.

Let’s be honest, there is something to be said about those movie car moments; cruising together, windows down, laughing, in love, music blasting, and lots of kisses along the way. You can spend some time during the drive saying what you are grateful for.

Get crafting

Okay, so you are probably thinking, that either you are not into crafts, your man will despise this experience, or that this is for “older people”. Before you dismiss the idea entirely, take a good look on Pinterest at the many arts and crafts ideas available for couples.

Imagine having fun together as you try to make something. It is all about the fun you will have together and the playfulness involved. Plus, you will have a “keepsake” to remember your special thanksgiving together. You don’t have to be Picasso to create something cute and meaningful.

Watch some romantic movies

Nothing says romance better than a Nicholas Sparks movie. Every single one is romantic in nature and has brilliant storylines to them. Have a romantic Thanksgiving meal for two, then snuggle up on the couch with some popcorn, wine, snacks, and whatever you enjoy.

If Nicholas Sparks films are too much of a “chick flick”, consider some great romantic comedies instead. There is an endless list to choose from. You can always tell your partner that you adore them so much that they can choose the movie. There are also some great romantic thrillers and romantic horrors, so whatever you are into, make it work for the both of you.

Go horseback riding

Here is a fun one for Thanksgiving, go on a beautiful horseback riding experience for two. This is one of the top romantic ideas that has actually been tried and tested. If one or both of you have never been horseback riding before, then even better! This can be a beautiful shared experience done together. Horses are majestic creatures and there is just something so romantic about a couple riding side by side.

There are plenty of options such as beach rides, sunset rides, and more. Take thanksgiving by the “reins” and make it one to remember.

Now let's explore some unique and romantic Thanksgiving ideas for couples on a budget

Sometimes when thanksgiving comes around, our finances are not exactly where we want them to be. You may have your own personal saving goals or be saving for your future as a couple. If you have plans for an engagement or a wedding, the holidays should not interfere with those goals. Whatever the case may be, here are some romantic Thanksgiving ideas that will suit your pocket. The good news is that these ideas are unique, fun and will guarantee that you can still celebrate birthdays, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve too.

We have you completely covered! From a Thanksgiving dinner for two, a walk through nature, and other ideas that won’t hurt your wallet, let’s make this holiday a bonding experience for the two of you.

Make a spa at home

Yes, this could be a tad cheesy, but it really doesn’t have to be if done well. All that is required is an imagination, a bathtub, some candles, and anything else that you would like to add.

You can spend time together, discussing all the things that you are thankful for in your lives, over the year, and most importantly about each other. It may cost you some bubble bath or bath bombs but other than that, you won’t have to pay anything. What is important is spending time together, and creating a relaxing experience.

There are endless possibilities for your at-home spa depending on your budget. You can buy some essential oils and give each other a romantic back massage. Or you can both massage each other’s feet at the same time, using some body lotion that you probably already have at home.

A spa evening at home could consist of a warm tub, chocolates, strawberries, and other eats that you can feed each other during the relaxing experience. Showing your partner how thankful you are for them being in your life is incredibly special.

Create your own games

Did you know that you can create your own trivia, where both partners make up the questions? This is a fun way to see how well you both know each other. You could also play a gratitude game by sitting down and listing what you are thankful for about your partner, then read them out loud to one another.

Ever heard of the gratitude A-Z game? This can be played over a small Thanksgiving meal at home. All you do is take turns saying something that you are thankful for. The trick is that you need to start with the first letter of the alphabet. Go through the entire alphabet A-Z saying what you feel grateful for, beginning with that letter. This game will surely make your partner smile!

There are tons of fun and romantic games that can be played, whether you make them up yourselves or get some help from the internet. Make sure your phones are fully charged because there are also some great apps for couples that you could play together.

Purchase and do a puzzle

If you have never completed a puzzle with your partner, you are seriously missing out. Not just in terms of missing puzzle pieces, but missing out on memories and bonding.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to complete a puzzle together. Firstly, you can have tons of fun choosing the right one. Opt for a romantic picture to complete or a theme of something you both love. You could even choose a Thanksgiving-themed puzzle if you were feeling inclined. If you really wanted to get fancy you can get a photo of the two of you printed as a big puzzle to complete. There are plenty of options and all you need to do is purchase it before the day. Although a tip would be that if you are ordering online make sure that you order it in advance, just in case.

Then you can spend a nice evening putting the pieces together. You don’t even need a table; you can both sit on the floor. It may take some time to finish it, but it will certainly keep you both entertained. Once it is completed you can frame it and keep it forever, as a token of your love and all that it encompasses.

Set up your own “paint and sip” Thanksgiving

All that you are going to need is two blank canvases, some paint and a bottle of wine. If you both prefer cocktails, beers, ciders, or anything else, then you can of course buy that instead. The idea was originally designed with wine in mind, but even if you don’t drink alcohol, you could consider some non-alcoholic beverages or even coffees.

As you are a couple, you each will receive a blank canvas and paints. Then the fun begins, as you can start painting something that you both agree on, such as a portrait of each other. If you are feeling especially daring, you can even do it naked.

You can both decide together on what you as a couple prefer to do. Start painting, sip wine and talk about all the things you are grateful for while creating your masterpiece. At the end, you can reveal your paintings to each other.

Make a treasure hunt

Yes, this would need to be set up in advance, but if you both are dedicated it can be super fun. All that you need to do is write on pieces of paper and give clues. Each clue needs to lead to another location. If you have a small apartment, not to worry this can work too but it is best If you have a bigger premise or even a garden.

Once your partner has reached their last clue, you can set up a small gift, surprise, or love letter at the end. Yes, they do these types of things on The Bachelor, but you can do the same thing – minus the machine, the glitz and glamour, and the budget.

It really is the thought that counts. If you want to make your partner feel special, then Thanksgiving is the perfect time to set this up and show them how much you care. The only catch is that after this you will have created high expectations for next year’s festivities!

Play some board games

Board games do not have to be boring, especially on Thanksgiving. What better way to celebrate together than to play some of your favorite board games? These can be the games from your childhood that you loved to play the most. What would be extremely romantic is if each person chooses one board game that they loved from growing up and you both play them together. This will bring back nostalgic memories of the happy times during your childhood, and sharing these memories will bring the two of you closer together.

Sharing your life with the one that you love, is a very special and fun way to celebrate any holiday. Consider buying some treats to eat, things to drink, and have an incredible evening of fun. If you want to up the stakes, you could even make up your own prizes and rules, e.g. the loser needs to do a strip show for you.

If childhood board games are not your scene, consider investing in a board game designed for couples. The options are endless and this creates the perfect experience for two.

Appreciate the love in your life

Let it be said that this is a day to be thankful for one another, for your life, and all that it has to offer. If you are in a happy and loving relationship, then this is a great reason to be particularly grateful this year. So many people out there would do anything to find their special someone. If you are lucky enough to have found your person, show them how thankful you are.

“Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have.” – Catherine Pulsifer

Lauren Gerber

Lauren Gerber has been "in love" with love for as long as she can remember. She holds a Psychology degree and she has worked for some major international companies. She loves to write about love, dating, relationships, hook-ups, and providing solid relationship advice. In her spare time, she can be found watching all the love and dating shows.