Like many people, having family spread out across the country means
On a side note, one time I took my then 3 year old son to visit my parents before Halloween and dressed him up in his little train engineer costume, had him go out their back door, walk around the yard to the front door and ring the doorbell so that he could “trick-or-treat” at Nonna and Poppa’s house.
Often, Thanksgiving and Christmas wind up being combined at our house which could make it easy to just skip right over this lovely day set aside for gathering together and giving thanks.
But, I’m determined to keep it special and to help my kids remember what it’s all about.
I know at many homes, the children sit at the “kids’ table”.
But, at our house, the added mayhem of having them at the “grown-up table” is what makes Thanksgiving so special.
Even the occasional escaped “toot” is forgiven when we are all hopped up on Turkey!
One tradition we are starting this year is the making of our
“What Are You Thankful For? Table Runner”
The only supplies you will need for this simple craft are:
A roll of Butcher Paper
Leaf Cutouts
Pencil
Crayons
And here is how you make it:
Don’t forget to put some crayons on the table so that your guests can add to it!
Who knew that a butcher paper table runner layered over a burlap tablecloth could look so elegant?
Another tradition I cherish is using heirloom pieces in my table settings.
The glasses are part of a set that my grandmother (my mom’s mom) began collecting for Heather and myself when we were young and added to over the years.
She passed away right before Christmas last year and every time I see these they remind me of her and her love for all things “vintage”.
The silverware belonged to my husband’s grandmother and was given to us as a wedding gift.
I love having both sides of the family heritage represented on one table.
Last year, I found myself thrilled by the endless uses for Corn Husks and some of you may even remember my Corn Husk Wreath.
Well, believe it or not, I still had some corn husks left over and I still wasn’t about to actually use them to make tamales.
So, I decided to try my hand at making a
Corn Husk Flower Napkin Ring
Here’s how to make these:
1) Gather your tools: curling iron, scissors, corn husks, hot glue gun
2) Take a small, narrow piece of corn husk and twist and wrap into a “knot”
3) Cut petal shapes out of the corn husks
4) Glue petals around the knot to resemble a flower
5) Use curling iron to curl back each corn husk petal
6) While curling corn husk petals, wonder if your hair will forever smell like tamales
7) Take a wider corn husk piece and dampen with water to make pliable
8) Roll into ring shape and glue ends together
9) Using hot glue gun, attach flower to ring
10) Wrap a small piece of corn husk around the base of the flower to cover where it attaches to the ring and glue it in place.
Keeping things simple and natural are the name of the game this year.
Glass Dollar Tree plates were decoupaged with images from The Graphics Fairy and then topped with a little grapevine wreath, also from Dollar Tree.
An old tool caddy filled with autumnal (don’t you love that word?) goodies and mercury glass votives rests on a bed of branches.
Do you have special recipes, decor, traditions, crafts?
We want to see them!
I absolutely love your table setting and corn husk napkin rings Vanessa! Sweet kids craft too! Heather’s yummy drink will be one I make often now too! Your heirloom glassware and silverware is stunning. Thanks for cohosting this party with us 🙂
I LOVE your tablescape! The burlap does look so elegant, and the “table runner” is an excellent idea, especially for small kids! The husk flower napkin rings are pretty! …Very welcoming sight!
Love the idea of adding the paper down the center to write what you are thankful for, Vanessa. Your table looks beautiful!
I think this idea for the kids ( and us big kids) is just so special. I think we will be doing this too!
As soon as I make something for Thanksgiving, I am totally linking up. 😉
Thanks so much for the awesome party! I linked up my thankful board, I’m so excited to use it this year with my kids : ) : ) Thanksgiving is so fun…eeeek. Can you tell I’m excited! I put a link in my post and now off to check out the others : )
Love, love, love this table setting! Original, inviting, Autumn – ish, simply perfect! The idea of ” What are you thankful for? ” table runner is brilliant!!! Awesome job!
I love that you use hand-me-downs to set your table. To me, those are the most cherished things that I have and such a great idea to bring them out on special occasions! Great post!
Thanks for the party!!! I don’t have much ready to link up yet. Okay, maybe I won’t ever :). But…I threw in my fabric leaves. Cause I want to party with you all!!! Have a great week!
Love this post! Wonderful having the kiddos involved with this beautiful project!
I really love the napkins rings. I happen to have left over husks as well from when I copied you with the wreath. (It’s hanging in a different spot this year, but it’s still hanging.) I have pinned this to try.
Vanessa, I love all the different textures you have added to the tablesetting from rustic to shabby chic (as they say). But, most of all how special your children feel by sharing the table with the adults and letting them share what they are thankful for. Girl, this is where I fell short, was teaching gratitude with my two. I encourage you to instill this while they are young.
I love your table! I have started a collection of candlewick glasses and have a large set of Rogers First Love silver as well!!
What a beautiful, beautiful post! I love the table runner idea! One thing i am thankful for is blogs like this, and the awesome ladies who wrote it!
Stacy
I just joined the party and want to thank you for hosting! I love your table, especially the napkin rings! Hugs, Penny
Your table looks lovely! I’m happy to link up to your party too!
Thanks so much for hosting! I am enjoying all of the beautiful fall links.
Michele @ Betterorganizedliving.com
Ah, nothing says Thanksgiving like a random toot or two from the kids (or grandpa)!
Love a craft where I can break out my curling iron – it really hasn’t gotten much action since the 80’s!
Kelly
Thankful for God? Me, too, kids. Me, too.
Thankful for you two sisters, too <3
Love, me
I so loved reading about your traditions…the love of God and family..and the memories of the past and making beautiful memories in the moment. We had started that tradition a long time ago with writing our thoughts of what we were thankful for..our blessings… on craft paper on the table. Our Thanksgiving table could have up to 40 people at a time…of family, extended family and friends who are alone at Thanksgiving…Thanksgiving was always my dad’s favorite holiday…as he would say, I love that day because we all gather tougher to give thanks and count our blessings and not count our presents!…:)
Love the table setting and all the reminders of days gone by. Can hardly wait to be together at Thanksgiving and an early Christmas with you, too! We do what we can when we can, huh? Love you, Mom
I loved this post Vanessa! The table runner is a great idea, that I think I will implement at our house too. I love the burlap tablecloth, the wood tool caddie, the heirloom pieces. So awesome!!!
Hi Vanessa! Thanks for hosting.
Anne xx
Love the table centerpiece, and I love corn too. Your pumpkin pie latte is a perfect coffee recipe for the Halloween season.
Good post Vaneesa ! You have tried your best and it is looking very nice so keep it up dear we appreciate such type of pages . Conratulations.
Vanessa your table looks beautiful and what a sweet idea making that table runner! Love that!!
Your dining room looks wonderful! I love the tool caddy all decked out for the holidays. The napkin rings are so cute, and wow, what a fantastic idea for the table runner!! Everyone will have so much fun adding to it, and what a keepsake for your family…remembering what everyone is thankful for.
Debbie 🙂
What a lovely post, Vanessa. I love your centerpiece, and I really like the Dollar Store plates with pretty graphics and grapevine! I think I have some corn husks left over, so I will have to try out the corn husk napkin rings–they’re lovely!
Never EVER cease to amazing me. Wonderful post. 🙂
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