Thanksgiving Date Ideas
Even with the busy holiday season, it’s the perfect time of year to give some thanks for your significant other by planning a Thanksgiving date night! We have your back with fun Thanksgiving Date Ideas to keep the weekend festivities and fill them with quality couple time!
What Date is Thanksgiving?
It’s the fourth Thursday of November. But let me tell you, any time in November is a great time to fit in a Thanksgiving date your with favorite person!
Thanksgiving Date Ideas
- Volunteer!
Did you know it’s the busiest time at your local soup kitchen right now? See if you can find time to help get some food together and serve those in need! And even if their volunteer charts are full, you can always collect food for the food bank- they always need donations!
Need a service idea? Check out https://www.justserve.org/ to search your zip code. It gives you tons of immediate service project needs in your community.
Related: Here’s how we made a service project into a group date that was incredibly fun! - Bake a Pie
There’s always that one person who volunteers to bake a pie- and maybe it’s even you! But it’s something so fun to make as a couple for a cozy date night in. Plus, everyone should try their hand at a pumpkin pie or apple pie at least once!
Try Mom Whiting’s No-Fail Pie Crust, it works every time even if you’re a beginner. Also, feel free to decorate it and get artsy with the top crust. If you put some sexy inappropriate saying on top, that can spice things up and be a secret only the two of you need to know about. - Try New Recipes
I’m sure you have family favorite recipes you’re used to, but why not spend a date night with some quality time in the kitchen baking up something new? Me and my husband try a new one together every year, and it’s about our favorite time to catch up and talk without the whole family around. Plus, it sets us up for success for Turkey day either making a new recipe for the big day or having practice to recreate it for the Thanksgiving feast. - Sample Thanksgiving Dessert
Skip to the best part of Thanksgiving dinner, and head right dessert for a sweet date night! Head to a local restaurant or diner known for their pie, and have a taste test night. Order a few different flavors, and rank your favorites. This is a new Thanksgiving tradition we definitely think you and your spouse should start! - Attitude of Gratitude
When was the last time you thanked each other for the little things you do? My husband sent me flowers one day this year that literally thanked me for doing my kids’ laundry and keeping our household afloat. He scored major points!
Practice an attitude of gratitude for each other with this simple exercise. Each of you makes a list of 12+ specific things you’re grateful for. Cut up your responses, put them in a jar, and take turns drawing items.
I promise you’re emotional intimacy connection will increase tenfold doing this activity! - Turkey Bowl
Tis’ the season for the turkey bowl! But you don’t have to play football or flag football: any organized game will do. Grab your other favorite couple(s) and enjoy a group date in the outdoors together.
- Fall Date Night Box
We have a roundup of the best date night subscription boxes for couples if you want to check them out. But almost all offer a seasonal date delivered to your doorstep. - Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
If you happen to be in New York for this (or could road trip there) we are envious! But for those of us in other parts of the country and world, it’s pretty easy to find a parade broadcast to watch. Bonus points for a light Thanksgiving breakfast spread or some warm cider to sip while you enjoy the festivities! - Plan Holiday Dates/Activities
This holiday season is going to fly by! Take a little time to pull out calendars and schedule some holiday fun in December! Get those holiday parties on the calendar, plan when you’ll go shopping, etc. Also, be sure to include a really amazing Christmas date idea for just the two of you!
See our Christmas Date Ideas for tons of ideas! - Put Up the Christmas Tree
Before we had children or blogging/corporate became my job with early marketing shots needed, we would typically use Thanksgiving weekend to put up the Christmas tree together. It was so fun to get tangled in some twinkling lights, and sometimes go pick up a few new decorations or ornaments together. It’s a surprisingly romantic thing to do together, and makes a great date! - Rock Climb
What, you didn’t know turkey and rock climbing go together? They certainly do! An active date idea is totally in order after all the turkey and pie. Plan a day date or an evening out to get active and have fun together rocking climbing! - Thanksgiving Hike
We love a good hiking date in the great outdoors for a little adventure and exercise. Plus a hike is a great excuse to check out the fall leaves. It’s one of our favorite fall date ideas to get that least peak of fall before winter completely takes over. 
November Date Night Ideas
- Black Friday It Up!
It’s a verb, just trust me on this one! But seriously, do some Black Friday shopping together and get your holiday gifts squared away. Either take the time to adrenaline rush shop together. Or take the time to boycott spending and just enjoy a day off work. Find something free to do or plan to spend all the money. It’s up to you!
You know I’ll be sharing deals, so be sure to follow me over on Instagram for updates! - Fall Leaves
The fall leaves are on, even if there’s snow in your area covering them. It’s the perfect time to go for a drive or scenic walk. And bonus points for a totally free date.
Here are several more free date ideas if you need another no-spend date idea. - Go to the Pumpkin Patch
Halloween may be over, but many stay open with Thanksgiving activities, Christmas markets, and fun decorations and produce to look at and purchase. - Visit a U-Pick Farm
If the weather is holding out, many farms stay open and allow for apple picking or other fall produce picking. It can be a really refreshing date to collect produce together and prepare some for the winter! - Visit a Farmer’s Market
It’s not too late to go pick up some apples or pumpkins. You can also find some crafts and local food favorites with a taste of the season. In fact, a farmer’s market it date is fun to see do any time of the year, but fall flavors and fall harvest foods make it a great Thanksgiving date! - Go See a Movie
The holiday blockbuster season starts this week, order tickets early and go see the big movie of the season early. Also, there’s usually a new Disney movie at this time, so you can turn this into a family date pretty easily if you’d like. Or go enjoy princesses together, we won’t judge you! - Have a Movie Marathon
If staying on the couch snuggled up is your kind of date, plan a movie marathon with your favorite movies! You can choose a theme, like Favorite Christmas movies, or go with a trilogy and watch them in one night! - Friendsgiving/ Leftovers Friendsgiving
First of all, this is another great group date idea that typically happens the week before Thanksgiving. Pull together friends and celebrate Thanksgiving with a big Thanksgiving meal! This may be the perfect chance to figure out how to air fry a turkey! Go all out and split up the assignments.
But also, if you want a more low-key version, try hosting one after Thanksgiving. Make a leftovers only night, and have everyone bring leftovers to share together. You can also do rotisserie chickens and call it a day!
It’s just a fun Thanksgiving celebration that works with any menu you’d like! Plus, if you plan some Thanksgiving games and split up the meal, it’s a guaranteed party!
We hope you feel a lot of thanks in your life with these Thanksgiving date ideas! Also, may you find a few hours for some quality couple time to connect this thankful season.
Thanksgiving Date Ideas FAQs
What do couples do for Thanksgiving?
Many use the opportunity to spend time with each other and each other’s families. Many couples alternate Thanksgiving with one extended family, and spend the next year with the other. It’s a great time to enjoy some good food, time in the kitchen, and a great meal together.
What activities do people do during Thanksgiving?
Many people love to spend the weekend planning, preparing, and enjoy a large Thanksgiving dinner. Other thanksgiving activities include:
– Making gratitude lists
– Serving in your community
– A Turkey Bowl
– Running a Turkey Trot
– Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
– Watching Movies
– Playing Board Games together
– Making Christmas lists
– Doing Christmas shopping
– Decorating for Christmas
What can you do on Thanksgiving without family?
If you’re alone or with your partner and no other extended family, Thanksgiving is a great time to order takeout or head to a restaurant offering their own Thanksgiving meal! You can also simplify and prepare a few favorite sides and get a rotissiere chicken to enjoy. Make the most of it, even a simple Thanksgiving without an extended family can be a lot of fun!
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That long weekend is such a fun time to do it!
Love these – even if our Thanksgiving was last month, it’s always fun to celebrate fall!