All Things Thanksgiving


I am getting all sorts of excited for Thanksgiving and this coming weekend! For once, I already have my outfit planned & have left plenty of room for all the food! We normally bring out all the holiday decor right after Thanksgiving and spend a morning decorating and listening to holiday jams! Before any of that though we’re celebrating Thanksgiving with Gary’s family this year because it’s his parents’ wedding anniversary, a big one! It’s a very special day and I’m excited that the holiday is going to be extra special this year! While I’m not making any of the “big” pieces of the meal, I have been thinking of a few different appetizers and sides I could make. Our niece requested buffalo chicken dip which was a huge dip a few years ago, so I’m hoping I can make it as well as my sister-in-law did! I also wanted to keep the gift guides going with one for Hostess Gifts under $30! 


I’m making a variation of this little appetizer. I bought a mixed goat cheese and cranberry spread from Trader Joe’s & I’m going to divide it evenly into phyllo shells, then bake for a little just to get them crispy. I have no clue how this will turn out, but it’s cheese and dough, there are worse things to eat! 


This was especially requested by multiple people, so I’m going to attempt the all recipes version


With two bags of cranberries purchased on a whim, I’m trying to find something different to make. My sister makes incredible scones, so I think attempting cranberry ones would be fun. I also found this cranberry cheese concoction that doesn’t look too intimidating! If you hadn’t figured it out yet, I really like cheese! 




And now a few ideas on what to bring for the hostess as you start heading to all the holiday parties! 

what to get for a hostess, what to bring to someones house, best gifts for a hostess

Kitchen Essentials || Nest Candle|| Candy Bar|| Appetizer Book || 

Water Carafe ||  Mini Succulents || Wine Totes || Fun Vase



  • A pretty and multitasking product like this kitchen essentials kit with hand soap, dish soap and a counter top spray is something that would be used right away! 
  • You can’t go wrong with a festive candle – especially since nice candles are something rarely bought for yourself
  • I’m such a fan of Sugarfina candy boxes, but I just recently found out they make candy bars now, with those same delicious gummy bears! 
  • My sister bought us this book for the holiday’s last year and I’m always looking to see a fun and delicious appetizer I can whip together for a party
  • This would be a really thoughtful gift to get if you’re planning on spending the night for the holidays. A bedside carafe with glass that can be used for their guests for years to come. 
  • Do you have a mini succulent yet?! I have one in our entry way and because I can’t keep a plant alive to save my life, these little ones are the best – you can even get fake ones that look super real! 
  • A bottle of wine is always safe and appreciated – dressing it up in a cute tote or this mini furry one that can be used by the host later is a fun touch. 
  • Flowers are my go to, even more so than wine. If your friend is hosting a girls night for the holidays this would bethe cutest vase to bring with your flowers. 



Are you making anything for Thanksgiving? What’s your favorite hostess gift to give / get? Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!! 


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35 Comments

  1. Rachel McCarthy
    November 22, 2017 / 10:23 am

    Buffalo Chicken Dip is always a fan favorite! I'm sure your version will be delicious! Succulents are the best! I can't keep a plant alive either and have an arrangement of succulents that I received as a gift over the summer and they are still going strong on our front porch! Obviously I'm going to have to move them inside once the Christmas decor goes up, but we haven't had a frost yet so they are still going strong! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Biana!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

  2. Andrea Nine
    November 22, 2017 / 11:39 am

    Brilliant idea to showcase gift ideas for the hostess. Loving succulents right now or maybe I just love saying the word "succulents", lol! Dips and apps are some of my favorite things of the Holiday season. Happiest of Thanksgivings to you sweet friend!! xo

  3. Brooke
    November 22, 2017 / 11:52 am

    I need to make those appetizers, they look so fancy, yet seem simple! I'm making a corn casserole, which is the easiest thing ever! Hope you have a great holiday with your family!

    Brooke
    pumps and push-ups

  4. Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes}
    November 22, 2017 / 12:31 pm

    OMG those little goat cheese things look amazing. You need to let me know how they turn out! And yes to buffalo chicken dip, my fav! Have the best Thanksgiving girl! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

  5. Sarita @ it's my girls' world
    November 22, 2017 / 1:16 pm

    So many great ideas for hostess gifts. Succulents are genius! Also, what is the inspiration board you uses to put all your images together?

  6. Adventureswithcourtt
    November 22, 2017 / 1:32 pm

    Those appetizers look good. You can never go wrong with goat cheese.
    sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/

  7. Kay R.
    November 22, 2017 / 1:39 pm

    Those are really great hostess gift ideas! I always go with the cliched wine or candles – can never go wrong with those.

  8. kerri @ cheshire kat
    November 22, 2017 / 1:41 pm

    you just reminded me that i need to get ingredients to make my skinny buffalo chicken dip for thanksgiving ha. always a fan fav! those gifts are so cute – love the succulents and the candle! can't get enough. have a fantastic weekend girly!

    xoxo cheshire kat

  9. Katherine
    November 22, 2017 / 1:48 pm

    Great post idea! I love how you included hostess gifts! I hadn't even thought of that! Happy almost Thanksgiving!

    Katherine | oneswainkycouple.com

  10. Sarah Shaneyfelt
    November 22, 2017 / 1:50 pm

    We love buffalo chicken dip and my cousin is always the one who makes that because she does a great job! Love the hostess ideas! I think lots of people forget about hostess gifts, but it's such good manners to bring one!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

  11. Caroline The Petite Fashionista
    November 22, 2017 / 2:28 pm

    That holiday Nest candle is the BEST. It smells SO good. Sugarfina has a store here and they opened up a pop up next door to my parents building haha. I am also hungry now from looking at those photos!! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving to you too!!! I hope that you have a wonderful day!!!

  12. Tess Felber_Sequins are the New Black
    November 22, 2017 / 2:34 pm

    I've heard so many good things about those Nest candles! Hope you and Gary have a great Thanksgiving- I'm sure all the apps you're making will be so yummy!
    xx Tess |Sequins are the New Black

  13. Kate at Green Fashionista
    November 22, 2017 / 2:37 pm

    Those cranberry scones will be perfect with your extra cranberries – yum! Happy Anniversary to Gary's parents and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family <3
    Green Fashionista

  14. Unknown
    November 22, 2017 / 2:58 pm

    We are a big buffalo chicken dip fans here! Sometimes I like the apps most of all. Have a wonderful time celebrating with Gary's family!

    Xoxo,
    Whitney & Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

  15. Carly
    November 22, 2017 / 3:00 pm

    I hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving with Gary's family- so fun to also celebrate his parents anniversary! Buffalo chicken dip is one of my favorite things ever! I'm attempting a jalapeno dip for the first time this year and am hoping it turns out!

  16. Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
    November 22, 2017 / 3:14 pm

    As a hostess I would never be mad if someone hands me a bottle of wine lol! I usually bring one as a gift too. I do like the idea of flowers with a cute vase though! Have the best time with Gary's family!! So exciting that his parents are celebrating a big milestone anniversary. Happy Thanksgiving girlfriend 🙂
    xo
    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams

  17. Brianne
    November 22, 2017 / 3:16 pm

    Those mini succulents are super cute! The dishes you're making look delicious!

  18. Meg Taylor
    November 22, 2017 / 3:31 pm

    I love your hostess gift ideas! I always go with candles, but I definitely need to expand that! As for the food, you can never go wrong with buff chic dip, and anything with cranberry + cheese is my kind of appetizer!

    Meg, Borrowed Heaven

  19. Rebecca Jo
    November 22, 2017 / 3:36 pm

    Enjoy all the yummies!!!!

  20. Nadine
    November 22, 2017 / 4:15 pm

    You can never, ever go wrong with cheese!!! I hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving!!!! I am ready to eat!

  21. Amy Cotton
    November 22, 2017 / 4:24 pm

    Yum! Those appetizers look delicious! I will definitely be trying out that first one!! Happy Thanksgiving Eve!!

  22. Jalisa
    November 22, 2017 / 5:59 pm

    How exciting, a very Happy Anniversary to you in-laws! I know whatever you end up making will be delish; those scones sound good already and I've never tried a buffalo dip before, Eddie would love that! Thanks for sharing, gorgeous, and I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    THE STYLE CONTOUR

  23. Lily (Beauty With Lily)
    November 22, 2017 / 7:33 pm

    These are all great ides, Biana! I hope y'all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

  24. Beautifully Candid
    November 22, 2017 / 7:52 pm

    Yummy! Those sides sound so good! I think I need that sugarfina chocolate in my life. Have the best Thanksgiving and time celebrating with Gary's family <3 Sierra Beautifully Candid

  25. Emily @ Martinis | Bikinis
    November 22, 2017 / 7:57 pm

    Buffalo dip is always a hit at any gathering and it goes quickly! The cranberry and goat cheese tartlets look and sound sooo good! Really cute appetizer. Enjoy all the family time and yummy food for Thanksgiving this week! xo Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis

  26. Cat Chat With Caren and Cody (Caren Gittleman)
    November 22, 2017 / 10:51 pm

    Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving! All of your appetizers sound amazing! We are going to the Detroit Lions football game (it's a tradition), then to my sister-in-law's house. I made her mandarin orange cranberry sauce (it has an ENTIRE BOTTLE OF WINE IN IT!), I also made a cornbread casserole, and…new this year…I made a potato/summer squash goat cheese casserole (I tasted a tiny bit and it is decadent and amazing!) I also picked up a Tira Misu torte from Trader Joe's! Happy Thanksgiving! xoxo catchatwithcarenandcody

  27. Elegance and Mommyhood
    November 23, 2017 / 12:51 am

    I love your Thanksgiving weekend traditions, B. Sounds like a great holiday ahead. LOve your hostess gift ideas, I posted some of the same ones. The mini succulent plants is an awesome idea!

    Come link your latest posts with me as my linkup just went live today!

    eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/2017/11/thursday-moda-90-perfect-trendycozy.html

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and Gary and happy anniversary to your in-laws!

  28. sepatuholig-Grace Njio
    November 23, 2017 / 4:04 am

    These are yumm…
    happy thanksgiving!
    sepatuholig.blogspot.com
    IG @grace_njio

  29. Unknown
    November 23, 2017 / 9:25 am

    Great post! amazing style .
    Corporate gifts

  30. A Dash of Pretty
    November 23, 2017 / 6:30 pm

    YES to buffalo chicken dip! Your niece has great taste 😉 I love the idea of giving succulents as a hostess gift, that's going on my list! Happy Thanksgiving! XO

  31. Shelly @ The Queen in Between
    November 24, 2017 / 1:25 pm

    I grabbed a bag of cranberries on Wednesday and really want to find a recipe that works. Hope your Thanksgiving turned out perfect!

  32. Lizzie @ This Happy Life
    November 27, 2017 / 3:13 am

    I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving! Those apps all look amazing!!

  33. Laura Darling
    November 27, 2017 / 4:30 am

    I just found out I'm in charge of appetizers for THanksgiving so I am totally borrowing these ideas!!

  34. Owen Davis @ Davis Duo
    November 27, 2017 / 7:56 pm

    The mini succulents are so cute and such a fun gift! I hope yall had a great Thanksgiving!

  35. NotJessFashion
    November 29, 2017 / 4:21 pm

    Now I'm hungry. ha! Great ideas for the holidays dear. Thanks for sharing.

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com