We’ve enjoyed hosting “Campsgiving” at the campsite for a few times over the years, but this fall looks a little different for us. With two kids under three and Thanksgiving landing pretty late this year, our outdoor cooking season is basically wrapped up. We’re cheering on everyone doing a true Campsgiving, but we’ll be at home, hosting a very traditional in-the-house Thanksgiving.
That said, we’re still bringing plenty of camp cooking tricks into the mix because camping gear is surprisingly helpful when you’re trying to pull off a big holiday meal at home!
Here is the camping gear we will be using:
Camp stove: Extra burners are priceless on Thanksgiving! Using your camp stove takes pressure off the kitchen, allowing you to move some cooking off your stove. Even a simple single burner stove can help alleviate some of the crunch.
Coolers: The great news about insulated coolers is that they can keep things hot just as well as they keep things cold! Fill one with ice for a self-serve drink station somewhere outside the kitchen. If you have a second cooler, turn it into a warmer by placing jugs filled with hot water inside. It traps the heat and keeps side dishes hot without tying up the oven.
Insulated thermos: Warm cider, mulled wine, hot cocoa… pour it into an insulated thermos or growler and it stays hot for hours. A simple, out-of-the-way warm drink setup that you can prepare hours before the party starts!
Fire pit: If you have a Solo Stove or a propane fire pit, set it up outside to create a cozy place to step away from the chaos inside. Bonus: put out some camp chairs and blankets to create a cozy “outdoor” living room space.
Dutch ovens and camp cookware: If you need more cookware capacity, tap into your camping pots and pans. Even a Dutch oven with legs works in a home oven if you rotate it so the legs drop between the grates. Cast iron skillets are also great for serving and traps heat to keep sides warm.
Insulated bowls and mugs: We’ll be using our insulated camping bowls to keep sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables warm. These insulated tumblers are also our go-to warm drink vessels at home as well as for camping.
Battery powered string lights: We love these battery string lights to add instant festive ambiance, indoors or outdoors (no extension cord needed!). If you want candlelight vibes without the open flame, they could work in a centerpiece, too.
A little camping gear can go a long way in making Thanksgiving feel calmer, easier, and a whole lot more fun! Hope you have a great (and delicious) Thanksgiving this year!
