Here’s where I am with Thanksgiving decor:

1.  It needs to be affordable.  Let’s face it:  we’re all about to fork over a lot of cash in an already strapped economy.  I’m really just not thinking new leaf shaped or harvest adorned dishes are a great idea right now. 

2.  It needs to be easy.  We’ve got lots of cooking and baking going on for the big Turkey Day.  If you’re hosting dinner at your home, you’re cleaning like a mad woman as well.  Creating woodland creature placecards from origami paper this week just isn’t gonna happen.

3.  It needs to be practical.  Every time we buy something new, it requires storage.  If you haven’t already started, holiday decorating is about to descend upon you at breakneck speed.  Cleaning, wrapping and storing a bunch of Thanksgiving related decor just to turn around and deck your halls again just might make you a liiiiiiiiitle less…joyful.

4. It needs to be ecofriendly.  Isn’t there someway to use what we already have??

I got to reflecting on these criteria and brainstormed a bit for a fresh new approach to setting the Thanksgiving table.  I’m really all about the “use what you’ve got” mentality these days.  I was thinking about integrating natural items from right outside your door when it hit me:  I remembered when I was teaching First Grade, we used these small cross sections of tree trunks to help students identify characteristics of various trees.  We called them “Tree Cookies”. 

How lovely to use larger “tree cookies” as chargers for whatever plates you already own (You really should have a full set of basic white dishes, but we’ll save that for another post!).  Chargers are usually 12″ diameter and about an inch and a half is a sufficient thickness.  

I’m loving the idea of using these larger tree cookies for food display from Martha Stewart Weddings and West Elm as well:

Another easy idea is to create simple little vases for simple bunches of flowers or votive candles by using stacked branches or smaller glued slices like this from Natural Home Magazine:

Here are some easy directions for making your own Tree Cookies of any size (click for the link to Minnesota Project Learning Tree). —>  For the record, you can skip drying, sanding and sealing these if you don’t plan on using them again.

In keeping with the woodsy tabletop theme, here’s an easy craft for your kids to create a Tree Branch Trivet from HowStuffWorks (click on link and scroll down about halfway to see the directions):

Whatever you decide on for your Thanksgiving table, just keep it simple and lovely so that you can enjoy this day of Giving Thanks with people who love you!

**For some more fun food and decor ideas for the ever popular “Kids Table“, check out this post from last year: http://mixmingleglow.com/blog/?p=728 **

I am so very very thankful for you, my loyal readers, talented peers and dear friends!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

As you are preparing for your Thanksgiving celebration, whether you are Host or Guest, keep the stress at bay by remembering this:If the turkey isn’t done on time (or over-done!), if no one likes the cauliflower dish you slaved over, if you accidentally break a wine glass….it is OK.  When someone is offering hospitality to others, they are offering to serve them, to open their heart and home to them.  While the table setting, decorative elements and recipes ARE wonderful elements, they are not the sole focus of the gathering.  Entertaining others can often lend itself to focusing on how beautiful everything looks, how “impressive” everything is.  Entertaining can often feel….stressful.   Hospitality just feels good.

When we are gathering with friends and family in the name of hospitality, no one cares whether there’s dust on the baseboards or if the dishes all match.  No one notices the paper napkins instead of the pressed linen ones.  Everyone feels welcome and comfortable.  We tuck ourselves into bed with full tummies and warm hearts, thankful for the blessing of loved ones and happy memories.

This blog, like many others, spends a lot of time on creative details for parties and events.  We are always looking for fun ideas to spruce up a gathering and help with your entertaining needs.  Not everyone has the gift of entertaining.  That’s OK.  Don’t let that be the cause of undeserved worry or tension because we all have the capacity for hospitality.  Don’t spend Thanksgiving Day apologizing that the turkey isn’t moist enough, that some guests have to sit on folding chairs or that you didn’t make enough gravy.  No apologies for opening your home and pantry to others!  Just enjoy the day and the chance to be a blessing to others. 

Have a safe, happy and YUMMY Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful for YOU.

 Ahhhh, the famous Thanksgiving Kid’s Table.  When I was a child it always felt like we were being banned to Alcatraz.  These days, I’d MUCH rather sit there than at the Grown-Up’s Table.  With clever ideas like these, who WOULDN’T?? (click on the headings for links)

Start by using these cute tableware options.  Keep it simple, colorful, cute and kid-safe and they’ll be THRILLED to be at the Kid’s Table this year!

1.Plastic Turkey Handprint Stadium Cup  - Unbreakable cups are fun and easier for little ones to handle.

2.Styrofoam Kid’s Table Cups - For the smaller set, opting for cups with lids and straws will help prevent spills and allow the adults to actually ENJOY their meals.

3.Its More Fun Melamine Plates- These funny plates are not only kid-safe but can even double as nice gift for your smaller guests to take home.

4.Family. Turkey. Nap. Napkins - Don’t worry about ironing and washing cloth napkins…use neutral colored paper napkins with a funny message and no one will even miss the linen ones.

Assigned seating keeps the bickering at bay over who’s gonna sit next to whom.  Sure, you COULD just write everyone’s names on little pieces of paper.  But my guess is if you are reading this blog, then you are not the “write-everyone’s-names-on-little-pieces-of-paper” type!  Surprise your littlest guests by using these clever ideas and chances are they will be so taken by your creativity, they’ll forget what they were arguing about! 

1.Pilgrim Napkin Rings - OK, I have to admit, I am going to be using these for EVERYONE this Thanksgiving.  I think the adults will love it even more than the kids!  The tricky part is getting photos of your guest ahead of time, but asking them to email you a photo should do the trick.

2.Personalized Mini Pumpkin Pies - Giving the children a dessert with their name actually ON it?  Really, need I say more?

Give the kiddos something to do before and after their meal by providing fun Thanksgiving mazes, coloring sheets and activity placemats. 

 1.Acorn Maze with Squirrel Pencil - A fun activity to keep them occupied while they wait for dinner to be served (I love the simple idea of accesorizing the pencil to make it all the more appealing!).

2.Giant Thanksgiving Color Tablecloth - Not only a great idea for before, during and after the feast, but when dinner’s over, you can throw it away!  (Who has time for laundry when you’ve got Black Friday shopping to do?!)

3.&4.Downloadable Activity Placemats -Available free online and all you have to do is print them out!

Even the kids deserve a centerpiece.  Again, choosing fun over fancy is the way to go.  These ideas are easy enough that you can enlist some little helpers before the big day to create them.

1.Raffia Wrapped Crayon Jars - Keep it simple with jars of brand spankin’ new crayons and no one will be able to resist!

2.How Many Acorns Centerpiece - Fill any vase or bowl with acorns (or any kind of nut!) and let the kids guess how many during dinner.  Winner gets an extra piece of pie (or dishwashing immunity!).

3.Thanksgiving Fruit Gobbler - This crafty, edible centerpiece doubles as a healthy addition to dinner (no forks necessary!)

4.Pumpkin and Crayon Turkey Centerpiece - Grab a leftover pumpkin from Halloween and poke holes in it to create a colorful crayon feathered tail.

After dinner, the adults are either cleaning up, watching football or snoozing (none of which the children are particularly interested in).  Offer them a few fun (quiet) activities and everyone will be happy!