Hosting season in Helena hits different—crisp air, cinnamon on the stove, and a calendar full of gatherings that blur into cozy, candlelit memories. If you’re planning Friendsgiving, a family feast, or a small-but-sparkly supper with friends, here’s a hyper-local guide to make it special (and stress-lite) with the best of our town.
Dessert, handled: pies from Cotton-Top
Start with dessert—always. Cotton-Top crafts small-batch, seasonal pies in their Reeder’s Alley kitchen, and they routinely open online pre-orders for holiday favorites. Order early, pick up in town, and let the pros do the heavy lifting. Pre-order here.
The bird: reserve your turkey
Prefer a classic centerpiece? Reserve a turkey in advance so you’re not playing grocery-store roulette the week of. Natural Grocers shares pickup details and size guidance for holiday turkeys; check the Helena store page for the latest and availability. Place your order here.
Bread + rolls (and sweets): Park Avenue Bakery
No one ever regretted extra rolls. Park Avenue Bakery’s Thanksgiving menu features potato rolls, parsley-garlic rolls, challah, and festive loaves—plus pies, cheesecakes, and breakfast pastries for houseguests the next morning. They take Thanksgiving orders by phone; see the 2025 menu and call it in. Check out the menu.
Wine & bubbles: The Hawthorn
For a thoughtful bottle list (and expert pairing help), swing by The Hawthorn Bottle Shop & Tasting Room downtown. They’re friendly, unpretentious, and stocked with celebratory bubbles and food-friendly reds to anchor your table.
Cocktail cart: Gulch Distillers ingredients
Build a tiny cocktail program with local spirits—think Guardian Gin for citrusy classics, Fruition Apple Brandy for autumnal punches, plus syrups and bitters. Gulch Distillers’ menu + cocktail library is gold for inspiration and shopping lists.
The table (on a budget): second-hand treasures
Helena’s thrift ecosystem is perfect for candleholders, mixed-and-matched glassware, and serving pieces. Try Good Samaritan Thrift on N. Montana or the Habitat ReStore for platters, frames, and occasional vintage gems—cheap, character-rich, and sustainable.
Don’t want to cook?
Or skip the dishes and join the community table: The Union’s Friendsgiving (Sun, Nov 23 at 5:00 pm) is a four-course, family-style meal with optional wine tasting. Grab tickets early—it’s a one-night thing and sells quick. Make your reservation.
The Hopper is offering the cutest Thanksgiving goodies to make the holiday easier and extra delicious. Guests can schedule pickup for Wednesday, 11/26, choose a time between 11:15 AM and 7:45 PM, add items to their cart, and check out. Menu highlights include creamy mashed potatoes, fresh-baked rolls, a variety of pies, and even a single-serving Hoppy meal. It’s the perfect way to bring convenience and comfort to your table. Place your order.
Craft something beautiful: Garden Werks wreath workshops
Layer your home in evergreen and citrus with a hands-on wreath workshop at Garden Werks—pre-registration required, held in the greenhouse, and wonderfully festive with “wine & wreaths” sessions with wine from the Hawthorn. Sign up.
Blackfoot Brewery & Mt. Ascension are also hosting wreath workshops this holiday season. Create your own festive wreath using fresh evergreens, florals, ribbon, and more. All materials, guided instruction, and decorations are provided and absolutely no experience needed. Your first brewery beverage is included! Be sure to register online to snag your spot. Sign up here.
A Helena Holiday Punch (serves ~12)
Low-lift, make-ahead, and not too sweet—built to play nicely with turkey, sides, and pie.
Base (mix ahead, chill):
- 1 bottle (750 ml) local Guardian Gin
- 1 cup Fruition Apple Brandy
- 4 cups fresh apple cider
- 2 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1 cup lemon juice (fresh)
- ¾ cup honey syrup (equal parts honey + hot water, cooled)
To serve:
- 2–3 cups chilled soda water (for lift)
- Orange wheels, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks
- Optional: float a bottle of chilled dry bubbles just before serving for a celebratory sparkle
Combine base in a pitcher the morning of, chill, then pour into a punch bowl with a big ice block. Top with soda water (and bubbles if using), add garnishes, and taste—if you used a very dry cider, you might add a splash more honey syrup. (Built around Gulch’s gin + apple brandy and finished with Hawthorn-approved bubbles.)
A simple, sane hosting plan
One week out
- Lock in dessert and bread orders; confirm turkey pickup window.
- Thrift hunt: candlesticks, bud vases, extra wine glasses.
2–3 days out
- Pick up bakery items; prep punch base; set the table (or box up your Friendsgiving tickets if you’re dining out).
Day of
- Finish sides, assemble greens, chill wines, add fizz to the punch, light the candles—then eat while everything’s hot.
Share the season: donate to Helena Food Share
Round out your celebration by giving back. Helena Food Share keeps neighbors fed with grocery markets, kid packs, and holiday meal programs. You can donate funds, bring shelf-stable items to their Boulder Ave. donation door, or dedicate a “Gift of Hope” holiday card in someone’s name—small actions that ripple. Donate here.
