One of the first things that people think about when they hear the work Thanksgiving is turkey and all the fixings that go along with it. Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most important parts of the holiday and families and friends get together each year to celebrate with each other. Here are some more ways to incorporate the all important turkey into your thanksgiving decor.
While the cooked turkey is a sight (and smell) to behold, many people think of live turkeys when they have Thanksgiving in mind. For that reason, many people decorate their home and dinner table with the likeness of the turkey while it is still alive. The interpretations that people make of the turkey are numerous and vary from almost life like copies to very whimsical and imaginary portrayals. No matter how you are looking to incorporate the turkey into your decor, you can do a lot of amazing things with some creativity and hard work.
One of the most important parts of Thanksgiving Day decorations is the table and the centerpiece that is normally found on the table in the middle. This can take many forms and a turkey is just as good to have there as a cornucopia. You can buy many different turkey shapes at a craft store or can even start from scratch and come up with the shape all on your own. Something like a foam ball that is embellished and painted to be a great base for your turkey. You can also use a smaller foam ball attached to the body with a small dowel or stick to hold them together. The turkey can be stabilized by cutting the bottom of the circle flat or even adding feet that will support the turkey. You can also find dyed feathers that are real and easily insert them into the foam to make the tail of the turkey. A beak can be made of wood or even paper glued to the smaller circle that acts as the head. Any variation on this idea can be a fantastic way to add some character to your dinner setting and to have a conversation starter there.
Napkin rings are another great item to have on the dinner table. You can get the kids involved with this project as well and use household items to make the craft. You can make these with items as simple as a toilet paper roll and construction paper. Cut the paper roll into and appropriate size that will fit easily onto a napkin and hold it in place. You should then make a small turkey that can then be attached to the ring and that will sit on top of the napkin when it’s in place. Make the body of the turkey out of brown construction paper or cardstock that will be a bit stiffer than regular paper to support the other parts of the turkey. Then cut small feather like pieces out of brown, yellow, orange and red colored paper and glue or tape them to the body of the turkey. Finally, you can add your eyes and face of the turkey and you are ready to have a friendly greeting for everyone when they sit down to eat.
Name cards are also a great way to incorporate turkeys into the dinner table and decor. Cut out uniform cards from card stock or even something as simple as note cards. Then take the kids and use some colored ink pads to make small turkeys with fingerprints on the cards. You can then finish them off with small googly eyes and write the name of the person who will be sitting at each spot on the table. It will be easy for everyone to find their spot and they will also have something to take home and remember the great time they had with you and your family.
More posts like this one in Centerpieces.