Thanksgiving is a special time in our homes, when we all take a little time to appreciate the gifts and blessings in our lives. My number one blessing, as yours, is my family and friends! So let's find some great ways to make your home a warm, inviting place this Thanksgiving Day for all your loved ones, including you!
Use a natural theme
This might seem like a no brainer, but you'd be surprised how
many people spend big bucks trying to glitz up this holiday.
It's about the harvest; being thankful for this beautiful earth
we live on, and the wonderful food we are so blessed to be
given, so let's celebrate that! It also happens to be a great
way to decorate on a small budget! So bring nature into your
home, and be thankful!
Most people just focus on the table for Thanksgiving decorating, and while that is indeed important, don't forget to bring the beauty of autumn splendor into other areas of your home.
Some quick ideas include picking up some silk garlands (right now they are on clearance to make room for Christmas stuff, check your craft store!) of autumn colors and drape them over doorways, windows, mantels and artwork or mirrors.
Collect leaves on your next walk in the neighborhood, and then press between paper towels and a book. Because they were already drying outdoors and were low on moisture, this will only take a few days! Now use your leaves to sprinkle over the hearth, the countertops, under candle displays, under glass top tables, tuck into picture frame edges, make them a picture in a frame … you get the idea.
Gourds anyone?
These are a wonderful traditional decoration, but here's a
little money saving tip. If you have produce stands near your
home, these are much cheaper than the grocery stores for
gourds, squashes, and pumpkins.
Don't limit yourself to the little mini ones, pile full size versions next to your front door, line a windowsill, fill baskets or fill the planter boxes or a wheelbarrow on the porch with great harvest vegetables!
Fill a bowl or plate with goodies around large pillar candles and use as a centerpiece. If you can't find enough natural material near your home, check out the bulk grain section at your supermarket. Fall is about harvest, so any grain can be used to add that element to your home. Even cracked corn meant for the bird feeder can look great in a jar as a base for a candle.
Now, we aren't going to forget the Thanksgiving
table!
This is your opportunity to show your loved ones how important
it is to you that they are sharing your table this year. If you
don't have tablecloths, pick up a couple of green or gold
sheets from Wal-Mart or a discount store for less than $3.
You can even layer a couple of them if you wish. Don't feel shy about pressing coffee tables or card tables into service if you need more room, just use those cheap sheets! If you run out of chairs, push a table up to a couch on one long side, and you will only need chairs for the other side. Set your table with all your dishware … it doesn't matter if it all doesn't match, or you had to borrow salad plates from a neighbor! Just keep the arrangement of each place setting the same, and it will tie it all together.
For instance - dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl, repeat with next placesetting. Distribute the different styles of dishware evenly throughout the tables, much the same as you would do with accent colors in a room!
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