Start a Thanksgiving Pancake Pajama Party Tradition!
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Why a Thanksgiving Pancake Pajama Party Is the
Perfect Family Tradition
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Thanksgiving traditions usually bring turkey and stuffing, parades, and football to mind, but there’s always room for a new tradition in your family. Before the kitchen turns into a whirl of timers and side dishes, have your very own Thanksgiving pancake pajama party! This simple idea lets you spend extra time with the ones closest to you before the rest of the family heads over for the big meal.
Prepare the Thanksgiving Pajama Party Pancake Batter
You can use any pancake mix to make the batter, even the type you just add water to and shake. A simple batter is all you need, but you can also get fancy with pumpkin pancakes to truly celebrate the day. We typically just use Bisquick for our pancake batter, but it’s really up to you and your personal preferences. If anyone in your home has a gluten allergy, there are fortunately lots of options available now. King Arthur gluten-free pancake mix is also kosher and Non-GMO Project-verified to align with a range of dietary needs/preferences.
Get Creative with Thanksgiving Pancake Shapes
Pancake molds with a fall/Thanksgiving theme are perfect for adding extra festive fun to this annual tradition. Try this Thanksgiving pancake mold pan from Nordic Ware to make creating fun shapes easy. If you want everyone to come up with their own unique designs, invest in a few pancake batter dispensers instead. They make it easy to draw pancake shapes directly onto the griddle. For even more fun, add a few drops of food coloring to the batter. This lets you play with different hues, like giving a turkey-shaped pancake colorful feathers. The sky is the limit for how creative you can be!
Create a Festive Thanksgiving Pancake Topping Station
Why settle for plain syrup when you can make “decorating” your Thanksgiving pancakes part of the meal? Set up a mini toppings station filled with unique additions to your pancake creations. Try an assortment of Thanksgiving-themed sprinkles for an easy way to make the pancakes look perfect for the occasion. Other topping ideas you can use include:
Caramel Dip
Apple Pie Filling
Chocolate Syrup
Marshmallow Fluff
Chocolate Chips/Butterscotch Chips
Peanut Butter
Blueberry or Raspberry Pancake Syrup
Really, the options for pancake toppings are endless. Crushed M&Ms or Reece’s Pieces are great options, but of course, you can always stick to the standard fruit, whipped cream, and maple syrup as well.
Set a Playlist for Your Thanksgiving Pancake Pajama Party
Keep the mood festive in the kitchen while you prepare the pancakes by choosing a playlist for the morning. This can be as easy as turning on the local radio station that plays only holiday music, or you can work together the night before to create a playlist of everyone’s favorite songs. Keep the music upbeat to make sure everyone is awake and motivated to start the day with yummy Thanksgiving pancakes!
Decorate Your Table for a Cozy Thanksgiving Breakfast Tradition
If you’re not hosting Thanksgiving at home, this is your chance to set a festive scene at your dining room table. A tablecloth with rich autumnal colors, Thanksgiving-themed plates, and a fun centerpiece make the space perfect for a Thanksgiving pancake pajama party. Put younger kids to work making napkin holders out of paper towel tubes or designing place cards for everyone. You can even have a mini contest to see who can come up with the most creative folds for linen napkins.
Alternatives to Pancakes for Your Thanksgiving Pajama Party
Pancakes aren’t everyone’s favorites, but this tradition can be easily adapted to fit your family. The main point is to spend time together before the hustle and bustle of the day gets underway. Here are some alternatives to pancakes to consider:
Waffles: Thanksgiving-theme waffle makers are perfect for this!
French Toast: Your toppings bar works just as well with thick, fluffy slices of French toast!
Omelets: Perfect for if your family craves a savory breakfast!
Yogurt Parfaits: Quick and easy with no cooking required (the fun is in the toppings here too)!
No matter what you serve for your Thanksgiving pajama party, you’re sure to have a fun meal that sets the perfect tone of togetherness for the rest of the day.
There are lots of other ways to make this idea a fun tradition you can repeat every year. Matching Thanksgiving pajamas, a dance party, or even a scavenger hunt for the little ones can add extra excitement. There’s no reason why Christmas morning should get to have all the fun. Make Thanksgiving morning just as festive and joyous with a pancake pajama party this year! For more holiday inspiration, check out our other posts or follow us on Pinterest!
