Fall Harvest Cookie Bouquets: Designer cookie companies such as Cookies By Design offer beautifully decorated cookie bouquets and displays, and even personalized cookies that can be used as placecards as part of the festive table setting. Arrangements include cookies of pilgrims, pumpkins, ears of corn, colorful fall leaves and more. Makes a beautiful centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table, which the hosts can enjoy with a cup of hot cider (or Alka Seltzer) once all the guests are gone.
Everything Pumpkin! There is an incredible variety of dishes, from soups to desserts, that make use of this versatile gourd. Here are but a few ideas, for you to whip up yourself or purchase elsewhere as a sweet or savory gift for your Thanksgiving host: Pumpkin cheesecake, stuffed pumpkin, spicy pumpkin corn soup, pumpkin nut bread, pumpkin crème brûlée, ginger-pumpkin soufflé, and of course that holiday essential, pumpkin pie. For starters, you can find some great pumpkin recipes here and pumpkin soup recipes here.
Fall Football Fan: If you know your host is a big football fan, make a gift of "supplies" for his next big armchair event. You can assemble a variety of salty snacks in a football-themed container, or Dick's Sporting Goods sells a full-size plastic football helmet with official team graphics, that have removable plastic containers for snacks in the top and faceguard...touchdown!
Adopt-a-Turkey: Here's a novel idea...instead of eating a turkey this year, how about adopting one? Since 1986, Farm Sanctuary's annual Adopt-A-Turkey Project has rescued over one thousand turkeys and given people a humane holiday alternative. For $20, you can symbolically adopt a turkey at their shelter which provides funds for feed, bedding and veterinary care for rescued turkeys. Adopters receive a color photograph of their turkey, an adoption certificate and a year subscription to Farm Sanctuary's quarterly newsletter. Makes a unique gift for kids or your vegetarian Thanksgiving host!