http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/ Happy Thanksgiving! It's time for giving thanks and being with our families. Enjoy! ~~ Barbara J. Feldman en Copyright 2008 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:15:56 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss A popular classroom craft that you can certainly do at home is to make a thanksgiving handprint turkey. Simply have your child trace their hand on a piece of paper. Either cut out the handprint or leave it as it is on the paper. The child’s palm forms the body of the bird while the thumb serves as the head. The other fingers should be colored as the turkey’s feathers. You can hang this festive art piece anywhere in your home or send it as a gift to relatives who will not be able to join you in celebrating Thanksgiving. A Christmas twist on this craft is to take green construction paper and outline your child’s hand. Do this numerous times. Then cut out the outlines and arrange in a circle so that they form a wreath. Glue them together and add a ribbon or bow to finish off this decoration. You could even use two foot prints that are glued together at the heal for a bow. The fingers on the hand cut-outs look similar to the foliage on a natural wreath and certainly bring a home-grown type of holiday spirit into your home. Handprints make great Christmas ornaments as well and can be made and molded from nothing more than ordinary clay left out to dry and hung on your tree with a simple ribbon. http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/handprint_turkeys_et_cetera-27155.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/handprint_turkeys_et_cetera-27155.php Crafts announcement baby card child color craft decorate gift give grow handprint make print relative Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:15:56 -0800 When beginning your search for great Thanksgiving decorations there are a lot of places from which to considering purchasing decorations. Many options are open to you depending on your budget, tastes, and method of decorating. On a limited budget consider decorating with things that you can make yourself or find outside on a walk or in your own yard. Gather pine cones, dried leaves, acorns, and other items to create more seasonal decorations with an earthy feel. You can purchase artificial versions of these things at most craft stores, as well, to make your own decorations for your home. You can get ideas for creating your own homemade decorations from magazines and craft books or searching for them on the Internet. You can also pick up ready-made decorations at a retail or craft store at is significant discount if you purchase them just after the season or holiday is over. It is a great way to save money on decorations for next year! Try your local grocer to create decorations like fruit and nut basket center pieces, and an arrangement of pumpkins and squashes in assorted sizes and colors. These types of things will add a natural and almost farm-like effect to your holiday decorating that will be fun and inventive. Your guests will love the atmosphere your naturally great Thanksgiving decorations will add to your holiday dinner celebration. http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/where_to_get_great_thanksgiving_decorations-20782.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/where_to_get_great_thanksgiving_decorations-20782.php Celebrations decorating decorations holiday seasonal_decorations Thanksgiving_decorations Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:31:10 -0800 A Horn of Plenty or Cornucopia This wonderfully traditional Thanksgiving holiday decorating is a wonderful symbol of abundance and bounty. It helps us remember what we are celebrating. Not only are we celebrating our own blessings but we are also remembering the first Thanksgiving ever celebrated, and for the bounty that came of their hardship and their friendship with the Native Americans of that time. We are embracing the generosity and charity of others and remembering and committing to share our own good fortune with others. A cornucopia makes a wonderful centerpiece for your dining table or adornment for your mantel or sideboard where it can be enjoyed by one and all. Pumpkins, Squash, Corn, and Gourds These seasonal vegetables are a traditional Thanksgiving decoration because they are harvested at this time of year. They are beautiful and rich in color and provide wonderfully delicious dishes that we can enjoy during our holiday feast. It is not a mistake that we use them today in our decorating. They have probably been used at every Thanksgiving because of the season in which we celebrate Thanksgiving. Harvested vegetables that were not being used in the feast would have been proudly displayed as celebration of the plenty of a community or families crops. These days these colorful vegetables can be displayed in any number of ways. You may want to pile assortments of them into a basket or bowl. Place them along a mantel or counter, table or sideboard. Some can be carved to make candle or place card holders or included as garnishment to other decorative pieces in your home. ]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/traditional_thanksgiving_decorations_for_your_home-20781.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/traditional_thanksgiving_decorations_for_your_home-20781.php Celebrations decorating holiday_decorating traditional_decorations traditional_Thanksgiving_decorations Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:28:28 -0800 You will need these items for your project: •Leaves •Pumpkin •Knife or fine toothed pumpkin saw •Ribbon or raffia bow Hollow out your pumpkin as though you are making a jack-o-lantern. Trace a leaf onto the outside of the pumpkin to create a few silhouettes of the leaf. You can use a real leaf or a leaf die-cut or a leaf cookie cutter. Then use the knife or the pumpkin saw to cut out the shapes. Decorate the pumpkin further by tying ribbon or a raffia bow to the stem; you can also add a few real or fake fall leaves in the knot of the bow by the stem to add a splash of character. ]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/fall_carved_pumpkin-20777.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/fall_carved_pumpkin-20777.php Crafts Decorating_your_porch decorations homemade_decorations ideas porch_decorations Thanksgiving Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:17:12 -0800 You will need these items for your project: •Terra-cotta pot in any size (as many as you want) •Fall colored tole paints •Several different kinds of dried leaves Lightly coat the backs of your dried leaves with paint and press to the outside of your flower pots. Since terra-cotta pots are orange in color already they are already a fall color but you may paint the outside of your pots a different color to add diversity to a multi-pot decoration for your porch if you wish to. If you decide to do so, allow the paint to dry completely before applying the leaf impressions as described above. Allow the paint to dry completely then fill your new decorations with anything you would like such as flowers, small pumpkins or squash, pine cones, dried leaves or any combination of these things. Your beautiful new flower pot decorations will brighten up your porch for the entire holiday season! ]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/autumn_leaf_flower_pot_for_your_porch-20776.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/autumn_leaf_flower_pot_for_your_porch-20776.php Crafts Decorating_your_porch decorations homemade_decorations ideas porch_decorations Thanksgiving Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:13:21 -0800 http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/history_of_thanksgiving_traditions-20805.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/history_of_thanksgiving_traditions-20805.php History history_ of_ traditions history_ of_Thanksgiving holidays Thanksgiving Thanksgiving_ traditions Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:18:38 -0800 Nature Walk Wreath You will need these items for your project: •Objects you’ve gathered on a walk (like dried leaves, pine cones, twigs, acorns) •Large grapevine wreath •Floral wire •Glue gun Gather your family and/or friends for a nature walk and pick up plenty of items along the way that you would like to include on your wreath. It can be any wide variety of items including pine straw, dried leaves, twigs, acorns, seed pods and pebbles. Anything you see in nature that you want to put on your wreath, pick it up! It’s totally up to you. Arrange all of your items on the grapevine wreath. The larger items can be woven into the wreath if you like. Attach the rest of the items to the wreath using your glue gun. Hang your beautiful new wreath on your door or somewhere on your porch. Your neighbors and guests will love your beautiful all-natural wreath and you will enjoy seeing it every time you pass by! Give people an object of conversation before they even enter your home with your own homemade wreath that will give you your own sense of satisfaction for an artistic eye and a crafty project well done.]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/nature_walk_wreath-20775.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/nature_walk_wreath-20775.php Crafts Decorating_your_porch decorations homemade_decorations ideas porch_decorations Thanksgiving Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:10:42 -0800 You will need these items for your project: •Flower pot •Art sand •Bare tree branch •Colored craft foam •Scissors •Permanent markers •Large ornament hangers or paper clips bent into hangers Fill your flower pot with the art sand and set your bare tree branch in the sand. Cut a pile of leaf shapes from colored craft foam. Have each of your guests write their name and the date on one side of a leaf and something that they are grateful for on the other side with a permanent marker. Push an ornament hanger through the stem of each foam leaf and hang it on the Thankful Tree. After your dinner you can designate someone to read all of the leaves aloud sharing your thankful leaves with everyone. Making your own homemade Thanksgiving decorations can be great. Finding something simple, fun and easy to make is a challenge and is always a welcome thing when you need an activity in a hurry. Enjoy your fun and simple Thanksgiving crafts and decorating your home with them.]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/thankful_tree-20774.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/thankful_tree-20774.php Crafts easy_decoration homemade_decorations ideas_for_simple simple_Thanksgiving_crafts Thanksgiving_decorations _fast_and_fun_Thanksgiving_decorations Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:02:25 -0800 Fresh versus frozen-this is not a tradition for the faint of heart or sentimental. If you have always picked up a frozen turkey at the supermarket you may want to consider a visit to a turkey farm to pick out a fresh turkey. While you may not want to select one specifically to be your Thanksgiving meal, it makes for an interesting field trip to see where turkeys really come from. Most turkey farms have a processing plant where the turkey is cleaned and packaged for you to take at the end of your visit. •The cooking method-if you have always roasted your turkey you may want to set a new precedent this year. If you are hosting a large group consider a turkey cooking contest. Divide your guests into smaller groups give them each their own turkey and cooking method to use. One group can roast, one can grill and one can even deep fry their turkey. Then have a taste test to determine which turkey is the best. Be sure to have some sort of prize for the winning turkey cookers. You may just be starting one of the most fun traditions Thanksgiving has ever had. ]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/thanksgiving_turkey_traditions-20804.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/thanksgiving_turkey_traditions-20804.php Celebrations holidays Thanksgiving Thanksgiving_ traditions Thanksgiving_ turkey Thanksgiving_ turkey_ traditions Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:09:48 -0800 Focus on what you really want. For a new tradition to be meaningful it must be a part of something that will count for your family. Try to focus on bringing in just one or two new things to make your Thanksgiving more meaningful and special. That way you won’t feel overwhelmed by trying new things (in addition to making dinner, decorating the table and everything else) and your family won’t be overwhelmed by trying a lot of new things as well. 2.Do not feel pressured by something someone else is doing. If you run across a tradition you want to try and think it would work well for your family-then go for it! But do not assume that just because your neighbor or best friend is doing something during their Thanksgiving that it will work for your family. Be sure and consider the ages, abilities and interests of your family members. Realize that not everyone may want to decorate turkey cookies, serve at the soup kitchen and make gratitude wreaths. Choose to incorporate the traditions that will work best for your family and you will be insuring less stress and more success. ]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/thanksgiving_traditions_101-20802.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/thanksgiving_traditions_101-20802.php Celebrations decorating holiday_ traditions starting_ Thanksgiving_ traditions Thanksgiving Thanksgiving_ traditions Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:06:36 -0800 You will need these items for your project: •Ear of corn •Kitchen knife •Plastic corn cob holders •Paper plates •Fabric paints •Cloth place mats Break your ear of corn into 2 and ½ inch pieces (adults using the knife to help break the corn cob if necessary, and then attach the holders firmly to the ends). Use a few different shades of fabric paint and roll the corn pieces in the paint and then across the place mats. Practice rolling the paint on some newspaper or scrap fabric first to get an idea of pressure needed and how easily the paint will transfer. Make designs and use any number of paint combinations as desired. Heat set the paint to the place mats as directed on the fabric paint you use.]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/corn_print_placemats-20773.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/corn_print_placemats-20773.php Crafts easy_decoration homemade_decorations ideas_for_simple simple_Thanksgiving_crafts Thanksgiving_decorations _fast_and_fun_Thanksgiving_decorations Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:00:24 -0800 Offer a dessert buffet-while this is a great idea this may only be feasible if you are an avid baker or a time management guru. The bottom line on desserts is that most require a great deal of time and attention. If you feel overwhelmed by trying to put together a complete dessert buffet here are some suggestions that can turn this into a fun tradition. Ask your guests to each contribute their favorite dessert. Then without labeling anything have everyone take guesses as to what each dessert is and who made it. Have a prize for the person who makes the most correct guesses. Or for a really fun twist on the dessert buffet, have each guest contribute something toward a dessert. For example, for ice cream sundaes you supply the ice cream and your guests supply the toppings. Just remember you do not have to do it all alone. •Involve the kids-children are some of the best helpers in the dessert making world. If you want to offer something that kids will like (pumpkin pie does not always go over well with kids) than have something for them to do and contribute. For this fun idea have a supply of already baked sugar cookies in the appropriate Thanksgiving theme (turkey, pilgrim hat, cornucopia etc) frosting, candy and decorating supplies and then let your young helpers go to work decorating their own dessert. This also has the added benefit of keeping kids happy and busy (which eliminates the wild chases through your house) at the same time. ]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/thanksgiving_dessert_traditions-20801.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/thanksgiving_dessert_traditions-20801.php Celebrations desserts holiday Thanksgiving Thanksgiving_ dessert_ traditions Thanksgiving_ traditions Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:57:23 -0800 You will need these items for your project: •9 inch paper plate •Masking tape •Scissors •Craft glue •Manila rope •Clothes pin or binder clips •Twine •Coffee filter ]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/paper_plate_cornucopia-20772.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/paper_plate_cornucopia-20772.php Centerpieces easy_decoration homemade_decorations ideas_for_simple simple_Thanksgiving_crafts Thanksgiving_decorations _fast_and_fun_Thanksgiving_decorations Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:57:48 -0800 Apron of Thanks-for that special someone in your family (or perhaps the hostess of Thanksgiving who is usually Mom or Grandma) make up an apron of thanks for a family tradition that can go from year to year. The fun will be in seeing how the handprints change from year to year. What you will need: •A white chef’s apron •Autumnal fabrics (small swatches are fine) •Puffy fabric paint Trace the handprints of any children in attendance. Using fabric glue attach them to the white apron. You can then use the fabric paint to make the handprints look like turkeys or simply add other decorations. For a nice touch using the fabric paint you can write: We are Thankful for _______. (Add the appropriate name here) Allow the paints to dry and present the apron to the lucky recipient. •Kernels of Thanks-for a fun way to have everyone express their gratitude for Thanksgiving blessings consider the following activity. You may want to begin this by recounting the story of the first Thanksgiving. What you will need: •3 kernels of corn for each family member or guest •A basket large enough for all the kernels to be placed in After telling the story of the first Thanksgiving (there are many wonderful versions you can simply print out and read). Pass around the basket to each family member and have them tell three things they are grateful for as they place their kernels in the basket. ]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/fun_traditions_to_start_for_thanksgiving-20800.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/fun_traditions_to_start_for_thanksgiving-20800.php Celebrations fun_ Thanksgiving_ traditions holidays starting_ Thanksgiving_ traditions Thanksgiving Thanksgiving_ traditions Sun, 16 Dec 2007 05:51:03 -0800 Do I want traditions that will help with the menu planning, cooking and serving of the Thanksgiving meal? 2.Do I want traditions that involve decorating for the holiday? Do I want to do craft projects with kids, teenagers or adults on Thanksgiving Day? 3.Do I want my traditions to involve some other aspect of Thanksgiving like football, nature walks or learning about our families’ history? 4.Do I want my family friendly Thanksgiving traditions to be about giving back to my community to those who are less fortunate? 5.Do I want my tradition to reflect a ritual of Thanksgiving like the prayer before the meal, carving the turkey or breaking the wishbone? After you have decided what you want your new family friendly Thanksgiving tradition to focus on then you can proceed on the planning for that particular new tradition. Focus on one or two things so you don’t become overwhelmed with the planning and your family doesn’t become overwhelmed trying to do it all. Just remember the most important thing is that you are all together. •For a truly family-centered meal considering enlisting everyone’s help. Have a job jar where everyone (even the youngest) can choose a job to help with. Jobs can range from the actual cooking of an item for dinner, to table setting and decorating. You may need to make a few accommodations but the key here is to relax and let everybody do their thing. ]]> http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/familyfriendly_thanksgiving_traditions-20799.php http://www.thanksgivingfun.net/familyfriendly_thanksgiving_traditions-20799.php Celebrations family_ friendly_ Thanksgiving_ traditions holiday_ decorating holiday_ traditions Thanksgiving Thanksgiving_ traditions Sat, 15 Dec 2007 05:46:09 -0800