ShareThisThanksgiving is the holiday sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas or Hanukkah. Thanksgiving doesn't have the glitz of costumes, the sweetness of candy or the excitement of gift giving. What it does have is lots of food with a side order of football.
Traditionally, the kids are not very involved in the food preparation or the football games, so I like to have them help with the table decor. Because so much time is spent at the table, it makes good sense to make Thanksgiving crafts the centerpiece of their holiday.
A simple centerpiece can be created with candles in assorted fall colors, embellished with rhinestone stickers. These stickers are themed for all seasons and holidays, and are available in craft stores. Like the name implies, they are adhesive-backed and are simple to use. They come on a clear liner that makes it easy to predict how they will look on the candle before removing them from the backing in order to fasten them to the candle. Each design or word is interconnected so that it peels off the clear backing in one piece for a quick and easy application. To ensure a strong bond, turn the candle on its side and apply pressure while rolling the candle over the gems. Even younger kids can help decorate the candles, and they can also cut out leaves from construction paper to complete the candle centerpiece.
Another staple of Thanksgiving decor is a place card for each guest at the table. Transform ordinary binder clips into place-card holders with a few simple decorations. Ribbon scraps can be knotted around the clip handles, and the base can be painted or papered with paint pens and paper scraps. Another option is to purchase preprinted clips from an office-supply or stationery store. The place card is made of cardstock and embellished with fall-themed stickers or die cuts. Each one is finished with the name of a guest.
Why not begin a tradition of crafting for the kids and any non-cooking adults this Thanksgiving? While the food is being heated in the oven, candles are being created that will light the Thanksgiving table with a holiday glow.
(Contact Sandi Genovese at sgenovese1(at)cox.net.)
Hobbies
