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The night after Thanksgiving is the perfect time to host an impromptu dinner party. Bring together your close family and friends, new and old, with a non-stuffy, casual get-together… using your Thanksgiving leftovers! But remember, it’s about a tasteful setting and tasty food–because so many leftover dressing and cranberry sauce recipes are gross, tbh.

Reuse and Recycle

The best part about throwing a dinner party with your Thanksgiving leftovers? Reusing your tablescape! After dinner on Thanksgiving night, don’t worry about cleaning up your table setting. Just use it tomorrow for your last-minute get-together.

Find this tablescape DIY via Jenni Kayne.

Serve something simple and delicious.

Turkey chili is a crowd-pleasing, bone-warming dish. Whip up a big pot of it with your leftover turkey! Set up a toppings bar with sour cream, cheese, diced scallions, red onion, and seasonings so people can personalize their meal.

Get the recipe via Simple Recipes.

Don’t forget the cornbread!

Whip up some cornbread with that extra box of mix that you picked up in your grocery shopping frenzy. Who doesn’t love a buttery piece of cornbread alongside a warm bowl of chili?

For a classic cornbread recipe, visit This Gal Cooks. For a jalapeno cheddar cornbread recipe, visit Eating on a Dime.

…or the cocktails.

Mix up a classic cocktail with ingredients your bar cart is stocked with already. Think: Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, or Sazeracs. The bourbon and whiskey-based cocktails will surely be appreciated by guests as they come in from the cold.

Keep the playlist classic.

Listen to our chill but fun Thanksgiving playlist on Spotify that’s half easy-listening, half classic dance tunes, and full on festive.