Thanksgiving Ideas and Decorations

To make your Thanksgiving celebration special, lets begin with the table. A beautiful table is a sign of welcome and shows appreciation for each guest. Flowers, fruit, vegetables, pinecones, acorns and leaves are nature's gift to the Thanksgiving table. Low votive candles cast a warm glow. Paint names on miniature gourds or leaves with a gold marker and use as place cards.

Sew a Reversible Tablecloth
This reversible tablecloth for the fall holidays is an easy beginning sewing project and a simple way to add a spark to your home decor. Reversible tablecloths are practical because different fabrics can be used to create two individual looks for your table. The advantage of being able to turn the cloth over if a spill stain occurs makes the cloth a very useful kitchen accessory. A square tablecloth will fit most tables if used diagonally. The following instructions will make a 43-in. square cloth.

Supplies:

1 1/4 yds. of 2 different compatible fabrics
1 spool of neutral color thread (light colored with light fabrics;
dark colored with dark fabrics)

Step by Steps:

1. Purchase 1 1/4 yds. of 2 different 100% cotton fabrics 45 in. wide.
2. Machine-wash both fabrics in warm water before sewing.
3. Straighten each end by tearing a narrow strip from selvage to
selvage (woven edges are the selvage. This will create an
approximate square piece of fabric. Width of fabric can vary between
42 in. and 44 in. so use your width to help you determine your
length.
4. Place fabrics right sides together and sew around all four edges
using a 1/2 in. seam allowance, leaving a 6 in. opening for turning
the cloth right side out. To make a good square corner use a square object such as a hardback book or a quilter's square. Then, draw the right angle on the lightest of the two fabrics before sewing.
5. Turn the cloth so that right sides are both showing and carefully
poke out the corners.
6. Press the edges, especially the side of the 6-in. opening. Be
careful to enclose the seam allowance evenly. Either machine stitch
or hand sew the open edge.
7. Various trims could be added by top stitching them on after turning
and pressing.

Cornucopia Centerpiece
1 cornucopia shaped basket or any basket you have on hand
Several branches of fall colored leaves
Raffia to tie a bow About 12-1yd. strands Excelsior, straw or paper shreds in natural color
A variety of artificial or fresh fruits, mini-pumpkins, gourds and
squash etc. to fill the basket

Arrange some of your leaf sprigs in a circle around a regular basket or in a fan at the opening of a cornucopia. Place the basket or cornucopia on the leaves and place the excelsior, etc. filler into the bottom of the basket to fill it at least 2/3 full, some pulled up around the edges. In the cornucopia shove it in and pull it out to form a base for your fruits and vegetables. Arrange the fruits and vegetables in a pleasing manner varying the colors and shapes that are next to each other. Clip some of the autumn leaves and tuck them in among the fruits and vegetables for accent and interest. Tie a bow in the center of your raffia streamers and attach it to the edge of the cornucopia or basket and if the basket has a handle on the handle.
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Cornucopia, pronounced kawr nuh KOH pee uh, is a horn of plenty, a symbol of nature's productivity. According to Greek mythology, it was one of the horns of Amalthaea, the goat who nursed the god Zeus when he was a baby. The horn produced ambrosia and nectar, the food and drink of the gods. In Roman mythology, the cornucopia was the horn of the river god, Achelous. The hero, Hercules broke off the horn in combat with Achelous, who was fighting in the form of a bull. Water nymphs filled the horn with flowers and fruit and offered it to Copia, the goddess of plenty. Stemming from these ancient mythologies, the cornucopia filled with fruits of the harvest became a symbol of gratefulness for the bountiful harvest and our Thanksgiving Day festivities.

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Use a hollowed pumpkin for a punch bowl or soup tureen.
Use pumpkins, fall leaves, fresh fruit and candles for decorations.
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Thanksgiving Potpourri
1 c sage leaves
1 c lovage leaves
1/2 c pumpkin seeds
1/2 c squash seeds
1 c Indian corn
2 c goldenrod
1/2 c sunflower seed
1 c evening primrose pods
2 c acorns
2 c hickory nuts
2 c basil leaves and flowers

This large quantity makes a colorful, crisp, and fresh-scented mixture that is decorative in open, glass containers for the holidays. After the festivities, it can be stored for later use as winter bird feed. The leaves will blow away, and the remaining nuts and seeds are attractive to foraging birds.

Candy Corn Candle
Place a votive candle (in its glass cup) down inside a larger and empty clear cup and pour candy corn in the larger cup to surround the smaller votive cup.

Thanksgiving Rainbow
Make up the bag topper (The poem is below) and add jelly beans to the bag. Would make a great Thanksgiving party favor. (A picture of a turkey, with rainbow colored feathers is a good picture for the bag topper)

RED for the glow of the fireplace this day,
PINK for the children's rosy cheeks as they play.
ORANGE for the leaves as they come dancing down,
GREEN for the decorations appearing all over town.
YELLOW for the feathers on the turkey the children drew,
WHITE for the hope of the prayers said by you.

Thanksgiving Tree or Jar
We try to put the Thanksgiving Tree in place by mid-November so our family has at least a full week to add more leaves to the tree. By Thanksgiving Day, the tree is FULL with the names of people, events and things we're thankful for. This is great fun for all of us and a meaningful addition to our family's holiday traditions. It also makes a lasting impression on friends and family when they come to visit and see their names -- or things they've done -- listed on our Thanksgiving Tree! It makes our loved ones feel appreciated... and after all, isn't that what giving thanks is all about?

Another idea along these lines is to make a Thanksgiving Jar. Throughout the year as things came up that your family is thankful for (new baby, new job, unexpected windfalls, acts of kindness, etc.), write the event onto a piece of paper and slip it into a specially designated Thanksgiving container. A family at our church empties their Thanksgiving Jar and reads each slip of paper on Thanksgiving morning during their family breakfast.