Thanksgiving Place Cards

Tonight, I made a gorgeous wreath using harvest colored Christmas ornaments. When I was done, I was left with 6 ornaments, 3 in a muted gold color, 2 in burgundy, and 1 that was much more red than the burgundy. Because I needed my glue gun, I uncovered a small tub I had tucked away with odds and ends in it.

After finishing the wreath, I started to sort through the tub, and clean & organize it somewhat. In the process, I found 3 packs of fake autumn leaves I had picked up to use last year. I also uncovered a metallic gold paint marker. I was messing around with the leaves, and drew gold lines along the veins of the leaves, then I got an idea.

Why not glue several leaves together, then add one of the ornaments to the top? And my lovely little Thanksgiving Place Cards (I use that term loosely, as they are not cards at all) were born.

I just love them, and they are VERY inexpensive to make!

Thanksgiving Place Cards

You'll Need:
Shatter Proof Ornaments in Harvest Colors
Fake Fall Leaves
Glue Gun
Metallic Gold Paint Marker

Total Cost:
For me, I used only left overs from past projects, so while I paid for the items, the costs were accounted for already, so.. free. The ornaments can be found at Dollar Tree in packs of 5 for $1 ($.20 each). The leaves can also be found at some Dollar Tree's in packs of around 30 for $1. I used 3 per grouping, costing roughly $.03 each. That would make each one roughly $.23 to make.

1. Glue leaves in a grouping of 3-4. I used 3, so they line the front and sides, but not the back.
2. Using the paint marker, draw along the veins of the leaves, for a bit of glitz.
3. Spread hot glue along the top in a slightly curving line, and glue the ornament with the hook side down against one end. This helps stabilize it.
4. Carefully pick it up, and if it's not too hot, use your finger along the under side to tack the leaves securely against the bulb

I made 5, as there are 5 of us. The last ornament was too red, I thought, to really look great against the leaves. I do wish I had an orange ornament or two left, though, but they are all on my wreath.

Thanksgiving Kids Crafts

These are more of those craft ideas that can help keep little hands busy while the adults make their Thanksgiving Feast. It would also make for a fun school craft while talking about Thanksgiving.

Harvest Necklace

What You'll Need:
Thread or Fishing line
Needle
Cheerios
Dried Fruit- Raisins, Apricots, Apples, Cranberries, etc
Popped Corn

This is a simple project, just stringing things on a thread. Set each child up with a length of thread or fishing line, knotted on one end, and threaded through a needle on the other side.

Let the kids do an assortment or pattern of the foods provided on the thread. When it's close to full, take it off the needle, and tie together like a necklace for the kids to wear, and snack on!

Candy Cornucopia

What You'll Need:
Sugar Waffle Cones
Fruit Shaped Candies or cereal or Nuts & Dried Fruit
Decorating frosting with a writing tip

Have the kids or an adult write their names on the side of the waffle cone. Once it's dried, let the kids scoop some candies or dried fruit & nuts into the cone for their own cornucopia Thanksgiving treat!

Thumbprint Turkey Placecards

What You'll Need:
Ink pads in various fall colors- browns, golds, oranges, reds, and yellows
Black & Red Marker
Construction Paper or Card Stock

• Press a thumb into the inkpad and then on paper to print a turkey's body. Use the same technique with fingertips to create a head and feathers.

• Use markers to add a beak, wattle and feet.

• Complete the cards by writing in guests' names

Most of all- have fun, and enjoy your upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday!

Thanksgiving Turkey Treat Holder

Once Halloween passes, it's all too easy to rush right past Thanksgiving, and zoom towards Christmas. Planning, decorating, shopping... it can take over! Thanksgiving is a holiday rich in tradition, and family. Here is a craft idea I found online today, that I think would make for a fun weekend project. It would be inexpensive, and would make for a fun addition to any Thanksgiving table this November!

Turkey Treat Holder

What You'll Need:
Small Terra Cotta Pots- probably votive candle sized.
Sheets of foam or felt in red, yellow, orange, & brown
Googly eyes
Glue
Candy

• Start by cutting 5 "feather" shapes from the red, yellow, & orange colored foam or felt. You'll want an assortment, with 5 total 'feathers'.
• Cut a heart shape from the red foam or felt, and a small triangle from the orange felt or foam.
• Next, cut a long oval from the brown foam or felt. This will be your turkey's head.
• Glue the googly eyes in place on the head, near one end. Glue the orange triangle just below it, with one of the points aiming towards the side.
• Glue the heart onto the bottom of the pot, so that the two rounded humps stick out like feet.
• Glue the feathers into place on the back, over lapping them from the center outward in a fan shape.
• Once the eyes & beak are dry, glue the head onto the front of the pot.
• When the turkey is completely dry, fill with candy, and set them out.
  

If you are having a large gathering, these would make for a good craft to keep the younger group busy while the adults make the meals.