Featured image courtesy of AnnaStills
Imagine the perfect Thanksgiving—the warm aroma of roast turkey in the air, a table laden with familiar side dishes, and the company of loved ones gathered together to share in the spirit of gratitude. Now, add a little extra kick. Danksgiving takes the traditional holiday to new heights by blending delicious food, quality greenery, and unforgettable vibes.
Whether hosting a small gathering or a cozy dinner, Danksgiving is all about creating a memorable experience that combines great food, great company, and a laid-back atmosphere. Here’s how:
Setting the Vibes
The atmosphere is key to a successful Danksgiving. It should be warm, relaxed, and infused with subtle cannabis touches that create a unique experience. Here are some ideas to set the perfect mood:
- Themed Decor: Add some greenery to the space with cannabis-themed centerpieces or faux plants. Incorporate subtle cannabis elements like leaf-patterned napkins, cannabis-inspired candles, or hemp rope garlands for a chill, festive vibe. Consider using low lighting or string lights to create a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
- Cozy Seating Areas: Create comfortable seating arrangements with plenty of pillows, blankets, and throw rugs. Set up a cozy corner with bean bags or floor seating where guests can kick back and relax after a delicious meal.
- Mood Lighting: Set the mood with soft, warm lighting. Dim overhead lights and use table lamps, candles, or LED strips to give the room a laid-back, intimate feel.
- Aromatic Touches: Consider infusing the space with calming scents using scented candles or essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus. A diffuser with a blend of citrus and mint can also give the room a fresh, uplifting feel.
- Craft the Perfect Playlist: Music is a key part of the ultimate Danksgiving. Curate a playlist with mellow tunes that everyone can vibe to—something that sets the tone without overwhelming conversation.
Infused Recipes for Danksgiving
These cannabis-infused recipes will add a fun twist to your holiday favorites, making your gathering extra special.
Leafly’s Creamy Cannabis-Infused Mashed Potatoes
Serves: 10-12
Approximate Dosage: 15 mg per serving of potatoes
Ingredients:
5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, (cooked, mashed)
2 (3 ounce) packages cream cheese
¼ cup cannabutter
¼ cup regular butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped (optional)
Ground white pepper to taste
Instructions:
Place potatoes in a large pot of lightly salted water. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain, and mash.
While potatoes are still warm, in a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, cannabutter, milk, butter, cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, and pepper. Sprinkle fresh rosemary on top.
Serve and enjoy!
Herb’s Cannabis Pumpkin Pie
Serves: 6-8 people
¼ cup cannabutter
1 teaspoon molasses
2 eggs, beaten
¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup light brown sugar
1 (16-ounce) can of pumpkin puree
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a small saucepan, melt the cannabutter over low heat.
In a large bowl, combine the milk, eggs, molasses, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, brown sugar, and pumpkin. Mix well. Add the cannabutter to the mixture and stir to combine.
Pour the mixture into the pie crust and bake the pie for 50 minutes.
The pie is ready when the filling has settled.
Westword’s Cannabis-Infused Hot Buttered Cider
Serves: 8-10 people
Ingredients:
Half-gallon of apple cider
3/4 cup cannabutter
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon sticks (optional)
3.5 grams ground cannabis
Instructions:
In a large saucepan, bring the cider to a simmer over medium heat.
Turn the heat down to low and stir in the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt.
Stir in the butter and sugar until both are melted and mixed with the cider.
Take the pot off the heat and add booze, then pour into mugs. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired.
For those who don’t feel like taking the time to make their own infusions from scratch—we get it. Here are great product options the whole gang will love:
- Ayrloom UP Honeycrisp Cider
- Delights Caramel Chocolates
- WYLD Sour Apple Sativa Gummies
- Chef for Higher Infused Honey
Activities for the Perfect Danksgiving
Danksgiving isn’t just about the food—it’s also about creating memorable experiences with friends and family. Here are some fun activities to elevate the celebration and keep the vibes flowing:
Cannabis-Infused Games
Bring some friendly competition to the table with cannabis-themed games. Try a round of weed trivia to test everyone’s knowledge of cannabis culture, history, and fun facts. For a more interactive twist, host a game of “High & Seek”—a cannabis-themed scavenger hunt where guests search for hidden items or clues around the house. And of course, no gathering is complete without cannabis charades, where guests act out stoner movie scenes, or cannabis personalities.
Danksgiving Movie Marathon
What’s a holiday without some classic films? Choose a lineup of feel-good, stoner classics for a Danksgiving movie marathon. The Big Lebowski, Pineapple Express, or Half Baked are perfect choices to keep the laughter going and the mood light. Create a cozy movie-watching area with blankets, pillows, and comfy seating so everyone can relax and enjoy the show.
Joint Rolling Contest
For some hands-on fun, host a DIY joint rolling contest where guests can compete to see who can roll the best joint—or even come up with creative joint creations. Provide plenty of rolling papers, cannabis, and fun accessories like filters or flavored wraps. Award fun prizes for categories like “Best Roll,” “Most Creative,” or “Fluffiest Joint” to keep the contest lighthearted and entertaining.
Dosage & Safety: Tip to Avoid the Thanksgiving Overdose
It’s important to keep things balanced so that everyone has a safe, enjoyable time. These tips will help ensure that everyone can indulge without overdoing it.
- Low and slow: Edibles can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to fully take effect, so remind guests to be patient. Start with small doses, especially if cooking for guests who might be new to cannabis.
- Label everything: Make sure everyone knows what’s infused and what’s not! Use labels on dishes and drinks.
- Offer water and snacks: Make sure to have plenty of water and non-infused snacks available throughout the meal. Staying hydrated and having regular food can help balance out the effects of THC, especially if someone feels a little too high.
- Check in with guests: As the host with the most, check in with guests throughout the meal to make sure everyone is comfortable and knows what to expect. If anyone feels like they’ve had too much, having some CBD on hand can help mellow out the effects.
- Getting home safely: Make sure everyone knows how they’re getting home—especially if they’ve consumed. Encourage guests to arrange a ride-share, plan their subway route, or have a designated driver if they’ve partaken in any infused food or drinks.
A Toast to Danksgiving
As you gather around the table, raise a glass to Danksgiving—a celebration of gratitude, good vibes, and of course, enjoying the little things. Cheers to an unforgettable holiday!
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