Fun Thanksgiving Tips for Fussy Eaters

Supporting little ones through big, food-focused holidays

Thanksgiving isn’t a huge celebration in the UK, but with so much content coming from the US - and with more families choosing to mark the day here - it’s a great opportunity to talk about something universal: how to support a fussy eater during big, busy, food-centric events.

Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, Diwali, Eid or a family birthday, the principles are the same. New foods, new faces and lots of sensory overwhelm can make mealtimes feel a little tricky for some little ones. But with a few calm, playful strategies, you can help the day feel lighter for everyone.

Why holidays can feel harder for fussy eaters

Children who are already cautious eaters often rely on routine and predictability to feel comfortable. Holidays tend to remove both:

• The schedule is different

• The food smells and looks new

• There are more people and more noise

• Plates are often “busy” and mixed together

• Adults unintentionally add pressure (“Go on, try this!”)

So let’s take the pressure out - for them and for you.

1. Create a tiny “Thanksgiving Taste Plate”

Offer one safe food (something they usually eat), one familiar food, and one new food — but in tiny portions. Think tasters, not servings.

Mini portions feel low-pressure and help normalise seeing new foods without any expectation to eat them.

2. Use a “Food Explorer Card”

Make a simple checklist with options like:

• Looked at it

• Touched it

• Smelled it

• Licked it

• Tasted it

No pressure, no reward charts - just exploration. It shifts the focus from “eating” to “experiencing,” which is much more realistic for fussy eaters.

3. Make foods fun, not scary

A simple cookie cutter can make all the difference. Leaf shapes, pumpkins, turkeys - the novelty helps reduce anxiety around foods they don’t yet trust. It also adds a sense of playfulness to the table.

4. Keep food separated

Thanksgiving plates can be overwhelming with mixed textures and sauces. Presenting food in a deconstructed way -  separate sections, small portions, nothing touching -  helps children stay in control.

Feeling safe equals more willingness to explore.

5. Let them help

A little job, like stirring something, sprinkling cinnamon or arranging napkins, brings a sense of ownership. Involvement reduces anxiety and increases curiosity.

Helping prepare food is one of the strongest predictors of children exploring new foods later on.

6. Protect the calm

Holidays are overstimulating for adults, so imagine how much bigger they feel for children. The most helpful thing you can do is keep expectations low and the atmosphere relaxed.

No pressure.
No commenting on how much (or little) they’re eating.
No “just one bite.”

A peaceful adult is the strongest tool in supporting a fussy eater.

7. Always have a backup plan

Special occasions are not the time to push boundaries. Have their safe foods ready and accessible. The goal is a positive day, not a breakthrough. Progress happens steadily over time - not on big, busy holidays.

Looking ahead

If you’re heading into a season of gatherings, celebrations and family meals, remember that your job isn’t to make your child eat-  it’s to make them feel safe. When a child feels secure, exploration comes naturally over time. And that time frame looks different for every little one.

If you found these tips helpful, you might enjoy my upcoming posts on:

• Creating calm mealtimes during the holidays

• How to introduce new foods without pressure

• Winter comfort meals even fussy eaters love

For more advice and tips do not hesitate to get in touch.

All the best and happy eating,

Holly