35 Cozy Outdoor Thanksgiving Celebration Ideas

Short on space indoors? No worries. Weather permitting, move the party to your patio, deck, backyard or even a local park. The wide open space will give kids plenty of room to run off the sugar buzz from plentiful Thanksgiving desserts while adults will appreciate a little extra elbow room to savor a fall cocktail, catch up with friends and family and soak in Mother Nature's ever-changing scenery.

For a small family-style Thanksgiving in the great outdoors, consider a destination picnic. Bring along a picnic basket filled with your family's Turkey Day faves, and a few decorative items to dress up the table to better suit Mother Nature's beautiful backdrop.

Gathering in a local park with multiple groups of friends, coworkers or classmates is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors if you're a renter or your backyard is too small to host a large group. Party potluck style by assigning meal categories (appetizer, main, side, dessert or beverage) to guests so everyone contributes to the feast and no one is burdened with all the prep and planning. Set the table with basic white plates — whether porcelain, paper or melamine — and just the essential cutlery and linens to minimize items you'll need to take to the site.

This mini arrangement proves that centerpieces don't have to be complicated. For a casual Thanksgiving get-together, just place a few blooms, in fall shades, in a clear water glass. For a fuller look, create several small arrangements to line the center of the table.