Make your home beautiful for the holidays with these simple ideas.
 Centerpieces
Fill an empty flowerpot with sand. Place a colorful, decorative pipe cleaner in the sand. Add several "branches" on each side. Cut leaf shapes out of construction paper and attach to the pipe cleaner with string. Write each family member’s name on one side and have the corresponding relatives write something they’re thankful for on the other. Use as a conversation piece at the meal.
Autumn-colored candles add elegance to any table. Sprinkle berries, nuts or mini-pumpkins around for added appeal. Be sure these items are cleaned before placing near food.
Place Cards
Have kids trace their hands on colored construction paper. Cut out shape for them, but have the kids color the fingers. Write one name of a family member for each hand and glue to a cubed piece of styrofoam. Put one at each place.
Take a handful of wheat (available at craft stores or floral shops) and hold tightly right underneath the grain pods. Secure with a trash bag fastener in the middle. Cut about three inches off the bottom of the stock, making sure the ends are even. Tie a ribbon or string around the fastener for decoration. Put one at each place with a name card in the grain pods.
Tablecloth/Runner
Cover the kids’ table with brown construction paper. After the meal, invite the kids to color their favorite Thanksgiving pictures and write their names by their masterpieces.
For the adults‘ table, cover it with a simple autumn-colored tablecloth if you’re using a decorative runner on top. Or, if your runner is simple, use a seasonal patterned tablecloth. If you’re really adventurous, experiment with different fabrics such as burlap or lamé.
Placemats and Napkin Rings
Use seasonal napkin rings that match your placemats and tablecloth, or have kids help hand-paint Thanksgiving images on plain napkin rings.
Make your own placemats using an easy fabric pattern (available at craft or fabric stores). With little effort, you can add a special touch to your holiday table.
|
