Thanksgiving, a Time for Gratitude and Giving
by
Jeanette Joy Fisher
Turkey
and Cranberries! Yeah!
Start a new
tradition this Thanksgiving dinner. Before you dig into
that turkey, take a moment for each person to say one
sentence beginning with...
"Today, I am
grateful for..."
You
will be surprised at what children say, so keep a
notebook handy to write down the gratitudes, or better
yet, record the event with a camcorder.
Thanksgiving Decorating Tips
"Welcome to Our
Home" Ideas
-
Door
wreaths welcome all to your home and set the stage for
celebrating. Make a simple wreath to hang on your front
door with Thanksgiving colors--brown, russet, olive
green. Use tree branches from your garden; attach a few
gourds, nuts, and ribbons. Holiday decorating isn't just
for Christmas!
-
Place a gorgeous mum by your front door. You can plant
it later and get flowers next Thanksgiving to use
inside. It takes just one bright spot near your
front door to attract the eye of arriving guests.
-
Wrap
your front door with gift wrap appropriate to
Thanksgiving.
-
Make
a "welcome to our home" banner. Add
autumn-colored ribbons and
fall leaves.
-
Group vines, pumpkins, and mums for display impact near
the front entrance. Adjust the vines to add height and
movement.
Fall Leaves make great interior and
exterior decorations. Be sure to hose off any bugs!
Safety Tip: Keep leaves separated from
melting candle wax.
Interior Decorating Tips
-
Tie
ribbons around your candle bases and around your floral
arrangements.
-
Set
fall-color leaves under your decorations.
-
Extend your flower arrangements with fall tree branches.
Just one flower package makes a huge impact when you
divide and spread it around.
-
Use
copper, bronze, and gold spray paint to dress up plain
gourds. Fill a glass or crystal bowl with the gourds,
oranges, pomegranates, and nuts.
-
Display vegetables and mini pumpkins on a tray. Fill in
any gaps with fall leaves, moss, straw, or wheat.
-
If
orange clashes with your home's interior, use green
apples and gourds instead of mini-pumpkins.
-
Did
I already say leaves? Here's another way to add fall
color: Place the leaves in your green potted-plants.
One
beautiful way to kick off your holiday season: Wrap tiny
gifts in gold foil; top off with brown and russet
ribbons, and place the gifts on the dinner plate. Your
table will look fabulous and your guests will love the
thought.
Happy
Thanksgiving!
©
Jeanette Fisher
P.
S. Check back for photos here and on our blog. I'm
getting ready to decorate our home for Thanksgiving and
will post the pictures.
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