Pumpkin Pie in a Pumpkin

I'm supposed to be planning a First Thanksgiving lesson for our homeschool group, and I'm desperately trying to find ideas. This one came courtesy of my grandpa, and it looks like the perfect blend of messy, gross, authentic, and delicious. Pumpkin pie baked inside a pumpkin? That is cool. Check this out: http://www.forkandbottle.com/cooking/recipes/pumpkin_pie_in_a_pumpkin.htm.

Other ideas:

Make our own pin and ring game: http://www.nativetech.org/games/ring&pin.html

Make our own pilgrim hats: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/make_a_pilgrim_bonnet.htm

Read (fictional) letters from pilgrims and the Wampanoag: http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/letters.asp

Do some kind of activity that re-enacts the journey on the Mayflower (climb into our "boat" and ...?)

Have the older kids act out a pilgrim/Thanksgiving-related skit for the younger kids?

Modern-day devotional about giving thanks?

This is a lot of pressure. Homeschool moms are very creative and good at teaching and not easily entertained. Eek.