If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, the last thing you want is to have your guests leaving with their delicious leftovers wrapped in plain, crinkly tin foil. After spending all that time preparing a feast that looks as beautiful as it tastes, why settle for packaging that doesn’t match the love and effort you’ve put into the meal? Elevate your leftover game with packaging that’s just as thoughtful and creative as the food inside. With a little imagination, you can turn those leftovers into something special to send home with your guests.
In this roundup, we’ve gathered some charming packaging ideas for your Thanksgiving leftovers, complete with printables and inspiration to get you started. Let’s dive into how you can package your leftovers with style and make sure they’re as delightful to take home as they were to enjoy at the table.
1. Rustic Kraft Paper and Twine
For a classic, rustic look, opt for kraft paper wrapped neatly around your leftovers. This simple, earthy material gives a handmade, cozy touch, which is perfect for Thanksgiving. Wrap up portions of mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, or turkey, and secure them with twine or ribbon. Add a little sprig of rosemary or a small pinecone for an extra rustic feel.
Pro Tip: Use a stamp or a custom sticker with a Thanksgiving message like “Leftovers from Our Feast” or “Thankful for You” to give the packaging a personalized touch.
2. Glass Jars for a Sweet Presentation
Glass jars are not only practical, but they also add a touch of elegance to your leftover packaging. Perfect for smaller portions of desserts like pumpkin pie or cranberry relish, mason jars allow guests to see the beauty of the food inside, while also keeping everything secure and fresh.
For added charm, decorate the jars with seasonal fabric or a small label. You could also tie a cute ribbon or piece of twine around the lid to give it a more festive vibe.
Bonus Idea: Use jars to package some of your favorite savory leftovers too! Turkey gravy or stuffing can look just as beautiful and appetizing when presented in a simple jar.
3. Personalized Printables for an Extra Touch
If you’re feeling crafty, add a little extra personality to your leftover packaging with custom printables. From cute labels that say “Eat Me!” to whimsical designs like pumpkins or fall leaves, printable tags can add a touch of festive flair to your packaging. Simply download your favorite designs, print them on cardstock, and attach them to your leftovers with twine or sticky tape.
DIY Tip: You can also make your own Thanksgiving-themed printables! Consider including a simple “Thank you for sharing our Thanksgiving dinner” note, or a fun recipe suggestion for what to do with the leftovers.
4. Eco-Friendly Food Containers
For a more sustainable approach, consider eco-friendly containers for your Thanksgiving leftovers. Compostable food boxes, or reusable silicone bags, make great options for packaging larger amounts of food like stuffing, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. These containers are not only environmentally friendly but can be a sleek way to send home your guests with their leftovers.
Customization Idea: Choose food boxes that can be easily customized with a festive sticker or a handwritten note. This small personal touch will make your guests feel extra appreciated.
5. Fun and Festive Food Bags
Paper food bags are a simple yet stylish solution for packing up your Thanksgiving leftovers. You can easily personalize these bags with stamps, stickers, or even a hand-drawn design. Opt for patterned bags, such as those with a fall leaf design, or even gold-foil prints for a little extra sparkle.
Perfect for rolls, smaller side dishes, or even slices of pie, these bags offer a functional and charming way to send your guests home with a treat.
Creative Tip: For an added personal touch, you could fold the bags into fun shapes or add little messages like “You’re gravy-licious!” for a laugh.
6. Gift Boxes for a Touch of Elegance
For those extra special guests, consider wrapping your leftovers in small gift boxes. Think of it as giving a gift of delicious food to take home! You can find these boxes in a range of colors, sizes, and patterns—everything from simple, kraft paper boxes to more decorative, metallic ones.
Fill the box with mashed potatoes, stuffing, or some of the bigger side dishes. You can even add a little thank you note to the box, letting your guests know how grateful you are for their presence at your Thanksgiving table.
7. Repurposed Wine Boxes for Large Leftovers
If you’re sending your guests home with larger portions of leftovers, a repurposed wine box makes a fantastic packaging option. These boxes are sturdy and offer a lot of space for multiple servings of food. Plus, they have that charming, rustic vibe that fits perfectly with the Thanksgiving spirit. You can decorate the box with seasonal touches like autumn leaves, ribbons, or mini pumpkins.
Bonus Tip: If you have a bunch of leftover rolls or bread, consider wrapping them in parchment paper, then placing them in the wine box for a perfect presentation.
8. Free Printable Leftover Labels
Want to make your leftover packaging stand out even more? Add free printable labels that help to identify what’s inside! Whether it’s cranberry sauce, stuffing, or mashed potatoes, labeling each container will make it easy for your guests to know what they’re taking home. You can find free downloadable labels with fun Thanksgiving themes online—some even offer customizable text so you can write your own messages.
Fun Idea: Create a “Thanksgiving Leftovers” chart or guide that helps your guests know exactly how to reheat their meals, or suggest fun ways to reinvent the dishes.
Wrapping Up Your Leftovers with Style
This Thanksgiving, make sure your guests leave with a smile by sending them home with leftovers that are packaged with care. Whether you’re using rustic twine, personalized labels, or eco-friendly containers, your thoughtful touches will show them how much you care. After all, the presentation matters just as much as the food itself! So, grab your supplies, download those printables, and make this year’s Thanksgiving leftovers just as delightful as the meal itself.
With a little creativity, your leftover packaging can become a fun part of your holiday tradition—and give your guests something to remember long after the last bite of turkey is gone!