Hosting Thanksgiving at Your Lake House

Lakeside Thanksgiving Turkey Day dinner table setting
Photo courtesy of The Cottage Journal.

When thinking about your ideal Thanksgiving holiday, what do you imagine? Maybe it’s a massive turkey roasting in the oven, a table crowded with friends and family, or a group huddled around the TV watching the parade. Perhaps it’s crunching leaves outdoors, starting the morning with a Turkey Trot, or playing football in the backyard. Whatever comes to mind, this holiday certainly evokes a sense of warmth and gratitude. 

Living room on lake during autumn
Photo courtesy of Lily Pad Cottage.

At Lake Homes, we believe that there’s no better setting for these cozy, Fall feelings than your own lake house. As your own scenic getaway retreat, a lakehouse is the perfect place to take a step back from your hectic, everyday routine and reflect on what you’re thankful for.

However, if you’re hosting Thanksgiving at your lake house this year, we recognize the irony– you’re experiencing the high stress of cooking, decorating, and pleasing your guests on a holiday that is intended for peace and relaxation.

While there’s a necessary element of planning involved, you deserve to enjoy this holiday too. We’re here with some tips on decor, food, and dining that will hopefully help you to stress less on Turkey Day this year.

The Decorations

Pumpkins on table setting in front of wine glasses
Photo courtesy of TheStranger.com.

When decorating your lake house for Thanksgiving, homeowners advise aiming for a natural look. On the lake, you’re lucky enough to be surrounded by plenty of materials that you can use to create this festive, woods-inspired atmosphere.

Take it from a lake home owner. Jenny Block, writer and author of the upcoming book Be That Unicorn, lives on Lake Livingston in Texas. She explains, “The lake is always part of my decor. I’ll use glass gourds mixed with real gourds and pumpkins and woven cornucopias that spill over the table. I also love having blue jugs with fresh mums.” 

Autumn fall seasonal tablescape with white and gold pumpkins
Photo courtesy of Shining on Design.

In a similar vein, Lake Michigan resident Shane Pliska, president of the botanical garden wedding venue Planterra’s Conservatory, employs natural decor to celebrate Thanksgiving. Specifically, he incorporates decorative branches into his designs.

Pliska comments, “In mild years, I’ll clip Japanese Maple branches with brilliant red leaves still intact.  I’ll also use branches from in-bloom witch hazel and bright orange berries from the Mountain Ash Trees.”

Ultimately, the scenic lake in your backyard is a decoration in and of itself. As such, it’s important to let the water, foliage, and other natural features steal the show. By incorporating these existing natural elements into your indoor decorations, you extend the same natural beauty into your home.

Whether you choose to display fresh flowers or spray paint pine cones and scatter them across the table for a DIY project, you’re sure to create a sophisticated, yet rustic environment for your Thanksgiving guests. 

The Food

Thanksgiving Turkey Day Friendsgiving dinner laid out on table
Photo courtesy of Lake House Effect.

While cooking for several guests can be a joy, as any host or hostess knows, it can also be stressful. To relieve some of the inevitable anxiety that accompanies baking for the masses, it’s a good idea to stick to traditional recipes.

Thanksgiving Day is not the appropriate time to roll the dice on a new dish. Adhering to classic holiday staples like turkey, pie, and green bean casserole is a simple secret to pleasing your guests. Pliska adds, “My mother still cooks the most flavorful turkeys, and I have the honor to be the carver. Her secret — small sized turkeys. This means she’ll typically cook two birds to feed ten people.”

Maintaining the traditions of well-known recipes evokes a sense of comfort and familiarity that is ultimately a hallmark of this holiday. However, there’s always room for a little fun. 

Apple Pie Bourbon shots with cinnamon sticks
Apple Pie Bourbon Shots from Delish.com

Fall themed cocktails are a low-risk way to serve unique flavors and twists such as Apple Pie Bourbon Shots or Warm Apple Cider with Fireball. Pliska has a family recipe for Ginger Bee that includes 1.5 part vodka, 1 part Domaine de Canton, a teaspoon of honey, and a teaspoon of lemon juice served on the rocks with ginger beer.

However, don’t forget to include something fun for the younger guests at your lake house. There are plenty of creative Thanksgiving treats that are sure to be a hit at the kids table.

As for leftovers, Block’s rule of thumb is that every guest must take some food home. She believes that it’s best to “under promise and over deliver” so that your friends and family can enjoy the same dishes for a few more days.

The Dining

Fall autumnal tablescape for holiday season
Photo courtesy of Heritage Farm and Garden.

In the world of design, we’re often told that “less is more.” However, Block suggests that the opposite may be true when creating a Thanksgiving tablescape. “I’m a layered table girl,” she says, “I always have a table runner with a place mat on top, I’ll wrap a festive ribbon around the napkins, and leave gourd baskets with bread in them. I like a table to look full.”

She also enjoys writing her guests names on placeholders to make the table personalized. Pliska agrees that having multiple items on a table, including a variety of textures, can create a festive environment.

For example, he enjoys incorporating velvet cloths into seasonal themes. He comments, “I love the versatility of velvet, as it can dress-up more rustic or harvest themed décor that might otherwise seem dowdy.”

Autumn fall tablescape in front of lake
Photo courtesy of The Cottage Journal.

If you opt for a Thanksgiving dinner over a lunch, it’s also important to remember that your key backdrop — the lake — will be harder to see. As such, Pliska says the solution is “candles. Lots of candles.” Whether it’s a large candelabra or something smaller, they’re sure to invoke a warm ambiance.

This idea of a full table, including as many versatile items and fun patterns scattered across the tablescape, brings out the plentiful, overflowing feel of Thanksgiving. Plus, it’s harder for guests to notice a potential food spill. “It’s a happy abundance,” Block emphasizes.

We hope some of these insights are helpful in planning your own holiday at your lake house. Happy Turkey Day! 

For more tips on preparing your home for the season, read “Fall Décor and More – Getting Your Lake Home Ready for Autumn“.

Bringing the Indoors Out: How to Set your Lakeside Dining Scene this Fall

Autumnal al-fresco dining by the lake illuminated by string lights and candles
Photo courtesy of Victoria Magazine.

It’s no secret that Fall is here. The trees surrounding the lake are now covered in golden brown leaves, and you’re finally feeling that crisp Autumn air. With the onset of colder weather, you may be tempted to bring your lake house guests inside. However, just because summer is over doesn’t mean it’s time to stop hosting outdoor dinner parties. In fact, the Autumn atmosphere invites several ideas for a perfect al-fresco dining scene.

Whether it’s displaying pumpkins as centerpieces on your dining table or lighting the match on your outdoor fire pit, there are plenty of ways to set up your outdoor space for success this Fall. Especially if you’re looking forward to hosting outdoors, we have some tips on how to best decorate your space for the season.

Manageable Materials

Photo courtesy of Home is Where the Boat is.

When it comes to al-fresco dining, finding durable materials is important. Unlike interior pieces, your porch furniture is subject to nature’s unpredictability. As such, we recommend investing in high-quality fabrics. Anne Mueller, co-owner of Briar Design, advises: “The biggest thing to do is to make it as easy as possible by using high tech performance fabrics. There are so many boutique mills that produce interesting textures and patterns. It elevates al fresco dining from just regular patio furniture.”

A rising trend now is using these robust fabrics with bold colors and patterns on metal furniture. Aside from fabrics, durable materials are also important to consider for countertops. Designer Lori Moscato, president of Casual Elegance Designs, recommends bluestone or Dekton countertops to reflect the heat. “Not only does it hold up against the natural elements, but it also evokes a stylish, industrial feel,” she says.  

Light up the Night

Boho style al-fresco dining during autumn
Photo courtesy of Reddit.

Since you’ll want to continue using your lakeside dining space at night, it’s helpful to have a variety of lighting strategies. Currently, LED lights are popular for several reasons. They can automatically detect when it’s dusk or dawn, and they sit low in the landscaping itself which is both functional and contributes to the ambiance. In addition to this low lighting, including lights at a variety of heights can add a holistic feel. Moscato adds, “depending on the tree variation, you could put lights higher in trees. These differing levels create a lot of interest in the yard.” String lights are also a classic way to include different levels of light, or electric candles on the table that emit soft light.

Mueller also recommends adding solar lights in the ground beneath the trees, so that when the light shines up, the leaves are illuminated. “It’s an inexpensive way to make your property look very high end,” she says. And of course, Fall is also a great time to light the fire pit. Try arranging low-seating around the pit for late-night fireside chats. 

Less is More

Simple fall table setting lakeside dining
Photo courtesy of Pamela Saumure.

When the backdrop of your outdoor dinner party is a beautiful lake surrounded by Fall foliage, there’s no need for lavish, flowery decor. Instead, we recommend choosing designs that complement the natural atmosphere and allow the lake itself to steal the show. “What we’re seeing now is a modern rustic,” Moscato comments. “There’s a mixture of a farmhouse and industrial feel, characterized by easy, clean lines and low maintenance.” At the end of the day, the lake is your focal point, and it’s best to avoid overly patterned or theme-based designs.

Lake dining on blankets during sunset
Photo courtesy of FoodStories.

Over the past several years, outdoor lakeside dining spaces have risen in popularity. Homeowners are extending their living areas to include the outdoors, and they’re choosing covered decks rather than screened-in porches. This trend allows for more connection with nature and a getaway feel, which is especially amplified against a lake backdrop. “If you own an amazing waterfront view, then you might as well maximize it by creating an outdoor dining space,” Moscato adds.

So this Fall, don’t hesitate to turn on the fire pit and bring a basket of pashminas and blankets for your guests. The new season is here, and it’s time to enjoy dining alongside the great outdoors. 

For more autumnal lake activities, find more things to do here.