Sure, the day before Thanksgiving may be considered the biggest drinking day of the year, for good reason. But if you have a family, it’s more likely considered the oh-my-god-how-are-we-ever-gonna-get-all-this-food-done-in-time-for-Thanksgiving-dinner day. As a family, our Thanksgiving prep is fairly EPIC. We attempt to model our lives off of every classic holiday movie we know and as a result, we always have too much food, too many types of potatoes, and more sparkling grape juice than we care to admit. Remembering that the week of Thanksgiving should at least involve a little eating, ( and not just baking) we pulled together our favorite pumpkin spice treats. Because a quick Mickey Waffle or Cinderella Pumpkin Chai could help get you through any baking frenzy. And a couple of favorite Disney Thanksgiving Movies can help you de-stress too.
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Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Recipe
Nothing says “Let’s get down to Thanksgiving business” like a Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew before you head into all that baking and fun. By far one of our best recipes, all you need is some cold brew cream and spices. Be sure to check out the recipe to help get your day started.
Spiced Orange Cider Sparkler Cocktail and Mocktail
We also love a fancy drink, cocktail, or mocktail, as the day gets going. And really, nothing beats a spiced orange cider, with or without alcohol so you can make one for yourself and the kids. Here is our quick recipe to get you started.
- Simmer Apple Cider in a saucepan
- Add a tea ball of Mulled spices into the pan, continue to simmer
- Slice an orange, reserving 1 slice for each cup, and add the remaining to the pan
Once warmed pour cider into each cup. You can add Ginger Beer or Champagne to make it sparkle. Add the cinnamon stick and stir. Done! Sip leisurely while you work through your Thanksgiving tasks.
Cinderella Pumpkin Chai Tea
If we need anything during the cold months, it’s something warm and cozy to drink. And with all the rushing that will surely be happening in the kitchen the day before Thanksgiving, a batch of this pumpkin chai on standby hits the spot. Made with real pumpkin this cozy drink is fortifying enough to get you through most baking, and you’re eating your vegetables, right? Read the post and grab the recipe!
Thanksgiving Breakfast
One of the most fun parts of Thanksgiving is all the food! And since we typically need to get up early to get the turkey going, or give all those pies time to share the oven, breakfast needs to be easy. Frankly, because it’s so easy to forget amongst the hullabaloo of the day. For this reason, we’ve pulled together a couple of recipes that are PERFECT to make one day ahead. That way you can just warm them up in the morning while you’re finishing the baking.
Fall Brunch Board
If you’re having guests over, there will be a point where you wish everyone wasn’t just standing around waiting for the turkey to be done. That’s where a Fall Brunch Board really comes in handy. We love adding both savory and sweet things, and nothing says party like a full spread of options. Check out our Disney Fall Brunch Board post for all the ideas of what to have on hand.
Pumpkin Spice Mickey Waffles with Maple Butter and Roasted Walnuts
You can whip up a batch or two of these little pumpkin spice beauties a few days before Thanksgiving or just have the batter ready for pouring into the closest Mickey waffle maker. This batter can be stored for up to a week in a mason jar in the fridge. Perfect for when the whole family piles in at Mom’s and starts preparing the pies but forgets about eating breakfast! Read the post and grab the recipe!
Mickey Pumpkin Spice Scones
Another brunch treat to hand on hand when people get hungry. We love these scones on their own or as part of a meal. If you’re feeling extra gourmet and want a surefire hit when it comes to lunch or a quick dinner, you can have these scones in place of the bread for grilled cheese! Nothing compares to the sweetness of the scone melted with the sharpness of the cheddar. You can even add a little jam or mustard if you’re feeling adventurous. Read the post and grab the recipe!
Thanksgiving Treats
One of our favorite parts of Thanksgiving is the desserts! And while there are loads of options, we love something simple like macarons, as they’re another lovely treat you can make a day ahead and give either as an after-dinner treat or as a favor at each person’s plate. Of course, if you’re looking for something more extravagant, then we’d highly recommend the Butterbeer Pie with Marshmallow Fluff Topping. It’s absolutely perfect, with cozy fall flavors we love.
Pumpkin Spice Mickey Macarons
Let’s face it, if you have family coming in early or the kids piling sleeping bags into the living room, you’re going to need to keep them occupied with something while you figure out the baking schedule. We love love love these Pumpkin Spice Mickey Macarons for a cute, light treat. Whether it’s to accompany a cup of tea with grandma or a homemade treat for the kids in front of the t.v. These little cookies give you a good reason to sit down and collect your thoughts.
The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch on Thanksgiving
So there are a couple of traditions we have in addition to watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade every year. And many of them involve movies. So here are a few of our favorite films, some Disney and Non-Disney to watch as you get ready for Thanksgiving this year. We like watching these movies as early as the week allows, but find them most fun during Thanksgiving day as you’re prepping food, or in the evening when you’re winding down.
Dutch
One of our favorite Family Thanksgiving Movies is Dutch. This classic tale is about a spoiled rotten kid, upset about his parent’s divorce, and not having it when his mom’s new boyfriend comes to pick him up from boarding school for the Thanksgiving holidays. The two take to the road from Atlanta to Chicago to get back home on a journey filled with bumps, bruises, and fireworks. With lessons about family, gratitude, and love, Dutch is the perfect movie to watch after you’ve eaten all the turkey. You can stream Dutch on MAX.
The Santa Clause
This classic holiday movie is perfect for Thanksgiving because it’s all about family. As Scott Calvin grapples with burned turkeys, and Santa falling from his roof, he realizes the need to put Charlie, and others before his job. Such an important lesson, we love watching The Santa Clause on Thanksgiving as a way to ring in the spirit of the season. It completely sets the mood for the holidays and is the perfect way to spend the day, or day after Thanksgiving. You can stream The Santa Clause on Disney Plus.
Home Alone
Another Christmas classic movie, Home Alone is another film that really sets the tone for the holidays. During the season of perpetual hope, which we can all use more of, watching Home Alone on Thanksgiving jumpstarts the all-important habit of enjoying holiday films with the family. It also adds a ton of heart and helps you realize that even though there are a hundred people in the house, dishes to clean, and too many leftovers in the fridge, if you have family, you have all you need.
Garfield’s Thanksgiving
An absolute classic, this cartoon features Garfield, everyone’s favorite sarcastic cat up against a last-minute Thanksgiving dinner when Jon invites Liz over as a surprise. With Grandma in the wings to help set things right, can this crew save Thanksgiving in time for dinner? Watch a Garfield’s Thanksgiving.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Mishaps and misunderstandings ensue when Peppermint Patty invites everyone to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, even though he’s going to see his grandmother. And Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends. Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
Miracle on 34th Street
This Thanksgiving Classic Movie is one to watch every year and a great way to start the season. Beginning with the Thanksgiving Day Parade, you can follow Susie as she questions, challenges, and ultimately learns to believe in the spirit of Santa Claus. Watch Miracle on 34th Street on Disney Plus, or grab it on Amazon. And if you are ready for those Christmas Classics we also love to watch White Christmas and Holiday Inn.
Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow
Surprised by the lack of technology in Turkey Hollow, Tim and Annie find themselves tracking an elusive monster that residents long dismissed as a legend. Add a little lore and fun to your Thanksgiving with Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow.
Winnie the Pooh Seasons of Giving
Getting ready for the holidays, Pooh and friends learn what the season is all about- giving. This charming family Thanksgiving Movie is perfect for families with young children who want to help focus on the reason for the Thanksgiving season ahead of the holiday hustle and bustle. Watch Winnie the Pooh Seasons of Giving.
Disney Thanksgiving Quotes
No Thanksgiving would be complete without gratitude. As we celebrate this holiday, it’s important to remember all that we have in our lives; family, friends, health, and even the ability to read this post with access to the internet are huge parts of our lives. As such we like to take this time to reflect on Disney Thanksgiving Gratitude Quotes for all their meanings. And as part of our Polka Dot Pixie Shop Black Friday Sales every year we use this time to give back to Feeding America. Take some time this holiday to reflect on your blessings, it’s the most powerful mood lifter and can help get you through the chaotic holiday season ahead.
A Disney Thanksgiving at Home
No matter what you’re planning for the holidays, these cozy pumpkin spice recipes are sure to add a little more magic and fun to your holiday. Grab the recipes in each post and make these ahead of time so that your holiday week can run smoothly. Happy Thanksgiving!
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
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