Handmade Thanksgiving Ideas

10 DIY ideas for crafts, recipes, planning, and family fun


montage of Thanksgiving photos and projects

Introduction

Thanksgiving is all about family and friends. And food. It’s definitely about the food. And sharing that bounty with your loved ones. Here are some easy ways to plan and enjoy a Thanksgiving feast to remember—from recipes and centerpieces to creative family fun and tips for capturing those memorable moments with photos.

Download your free Handmade Thanksgiving book

photo of Thanksgiving book

Get recipes, photo tips, crafting tutorials, and everything else you need to create a feast to remember.

Want even more easy ideas for a handmade Thanksgiving holiday? Download our Handmade Thanksgiving book filled with how-tos and tips.


You can print and enjoy it, or download a copy to your desktop for reference and inspiration.
Download now

1. Whip up Thanksgiving invitations and greetings

photo of Thanksgiving greeting card and invitation

A heartfelt celebration begins with invitations and greeting cards that you can easily and affordably print at home.

Yes, you can send the Thanksgiving feast details via email or create an online party invitation. But imagine how hungry with anticipation your guests will be when they receive handmade Thanksgiving invitations like this Shared Acorn 4" x 6" Thanksgiving Invitation.


Or, skip the annual holiday card this year and send Thanksgiving greetings, like this Autumn Bounty Half-Fold Card, instead.


You can print your Thanksgiving greetings on HP Advanced Photo Paper, available in several sizes (like 4" x 6"). This sturdy, glossy, and even water-resistant photo paper dries instantly for passing around and stacking.

2. Photograph the celebration

photo of family cooking together

Be sure to take photos of all the Thanksgiving fun—including cooking together.


Documenting Thanksgiving is about more than just turkey shots. Photograph the celebration from beginning to end to help you tell a complete story with your photos—from cooking in the kitchen to carving the turkey to post-dinner pie.


Get more tips for photographing celebrations.


Some pictures are so good that everyone will want a copy. Send all your guests home with photos. Just pull the memory card out of your camera, pop it in the memory card slot on your printer, and print. It’s so easy, even the kids can do it! Learn more.


3. Share photos instantly

Woman using HP ePrint

HP ePrint allows you to print from your smartphone or tablet from virtually anywhere.1


If you’re far from friends and family this holiday, use HP ePrint to share memorable moments across the miles.


HP ePrint, available on HP e-All-in-Ones such as the HP Photosmart 6520 e-All-in-One, allows you to print from your smartphone or tablet from virtually anywhere.1


Wirelessly ePrint photos and documents from your smartphone, tablet or laptop, whether your printer is in the same room or across the country.1


Learn more about sharing photos with HP ePrint.

4. Recipes at your fingertips

photo of Spicy Herb Roasted Nuts

Find make-ahead recipes like Spicy Herb Roasted Nuts (these are from Sunset magazine) via the MyRecipes.com Print App—available on select HP Photosmart e-All-in-One printers.


Need an easy, make-ahead appetizer for your Thanksgiving celebration? Spiced or herbed roasted nuts are easy and delicious.


Just toss the nuts with a mix of spices and herbs along with maple syrup and roast in the oven. Make days ahead as an appetizer or package in jars or tins for a hostess gift. You’ll find recipes like Spicy Herb Roasted Nuts in our Handmade Thanksgiving book.


You can also find them on the MyRecipes.com Print App—available on select HP Photosmart e-All-in-One printers—which contains recipes from Cooking Light, Sunset, Real Simple, and other popular publications.


HP Print Apps provide shortcuts to content, allowing you to print online materials without using a PC. You can print recipes, maps, craft and coloring pages, online photos, or even the latest news.2


5. Make a family cookbook

photo of HP cookbook templates

Collect favorite Thanksgiving recipes in a family cookbook. You can print it yourself with these cookbook templates.


Favorite recipes have the power to stir memories and connect families. Get tips and step-by-step help for creating your own cookbook, including customizable cookbook templates to help you get started.


If you are going to print multiple copies as gifts, you can save up to 40% on your printing with Original HP XL Ink cartridges.3


Get free next business day shipping with no minimum when you order from the HP Home & Home Office online store.


6. Keep the kids busy and happy

Photosmart 7520 with Thanksgiving output

Keep the kids busy with fun HP Creative Studio projects you can print in minutes!


Keep the kids busy over the holidays with printable projects from the HP Creative Studio. You’ll find crafts, games, and learning activities the whole family can enjoy together—including a variety of Thanksgiving printables!


You can also find kids’ activities through HP Print Apps, available on Web-connected printers like the HP Photosmart 7520 e-All-in-One. Just use your printer’s touchscreen to access printable content from DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, LeapFrog, Sesame Street, Disney, and more! Many kids’ print apps even let you search activities by age group.2

7. Craft a beautiful Thanksgiving table

Autumn bounty Thanksgiving kit

You’ll be thankful that this lovely Autumn Bounty Thanksgiving Kit is so easy to print and make.


You can get a cornucopia of Thanksgiving themed printables at your finger tips from HP Creative Studio, including decorations, centerpieces, and plenty of fun activities for the kids table!


The Autumn Bounty Thanksgiving Kit comes complete with everything you need to set a beautiful table, including votive wraps, napkin ring place cards, and a gratitude garland.


You can even get some of these crafts and activities through your Web-connected printer via the Happy Thanksgiving Print App.2


8. Express your thanks

Feast of Thanks party kit

You can find the Feast of Thanks Party Kit at the HP Creative Studio.


For most of us, this holiday is about giving thanks for the bounty of love and friendship in our lives. Take some time to ask your guests to record what they’re grateful for. Ask people to write their thoughts on leaves for a “tree of gratitude,” which can be found in the Feast of Thanks Party Kit.


When printing things like these centerpieces, try using thicker paper, like HP Brochure and Flyer Paper—it will make centerpieces and decorations more durable.

9. Make the kids’ table THE place to be

kids’ table decorations

Little pilgrims will race to the table when they see place settings filled with fun and colorful activities like these—designed by Shindig Parties To Go, available for download on Catch My Party.


You can decorate the kids’ table with the same care you do the big-kids’ table. Use coloring sheets for placemats and add a colorful centerpiece.


You can find instructions for this printable Mayflower—and all the other print projects pictured—at Catch My Party.


Keep plenty of HP Inkjet Multipurpose paper on hand. You can use it for printable activities and coloring pages—and it’s an affordable choice for drawing and doodling

10. Remember Thanksgiving moments

photo of Thanksgiving scrapbook

Record the good times with the Family Roots Scrapbook from the HP Creative Studio Scrapbook app.


You have the photos—now do something with them! Use your photos and memories to create something to share with your family and keep as a reminder of your time together.


Visit the HP Creative Studio to find the Family Roots Scrapbook and other designs that include pages, backgrounds, borders, photo corners, and stickers.


With a large-format printer like the HP Officejet 7500A Wide Format e-All-in-One, you can print scrapbook pages on various paper types and sizes, including 12" x 12" and up to 13" x 19".

Get an extra-large serving of ink for less

Autumn bounty Thanksgiving kit

Save up to 40% on your printing with Original HP XL Ink cartridges.3


Before you begin printing invitations and decorations, make sure you have plenty of ink on hand. You can save up to 40% on your printing with Original HP XL Ink cartridges.3 Plus, get free next business day shipping with no minimum when you order from the HP Home and Home Office online store.


Not sure what supplies to get for your printer? Try the HP ink finder!

  • 1 Requires an Internet connection to HP web-enabled printer and HP ePrint account registration (for a list of eligible printers, supported documents and image types and other HP ePrint details, see www.hp.com/go/eprintcenter). Mobile devices require Internet connection and email capability. May require wireless access point. Separately purchased data plans or usage fees may apply. Print times and connection speeds may vary.
  • 2 Requires a wireless access point and an Internet connection to the printer. Services may require registration. App availability varies by country, language, and agreements. For details, visit hp.com/go/eprintcenter.
  • 3 Compared with single, standard HP ink cartridges. Based on average retail pricing, actual prices may vary.