Thanksgiving Table

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-464 -- More Projects »

To make festive place cards for a Thanksgiving dinner party, collect some fall leaves from the yard, write the names of guests on the leaves and carefully place them on napkins at each setting.

Entertaining expert Dana Christine shares great ideas to spruce up a Thanksgiving table.

The week before Thanksgiving, set out a fall-colored table runner and oil-permanent markers in a central location in the house. (Use a thick runner so that the ink does not bleed through.) Encourage everyone to write down a fond memory or something they are thankful for, then display the runner at the big feast. Store it until the next year when everyone can write down a new round of things.

Figure A

Decorate a fall-colored table runner with things like fresh herbs, walnuts, bright red apples and pears or anything else you'd like. Set out a few tea candles amongst the fruit for an evening gathering (figure A).

Hide an ugly chandelier by wrapping silk grapevine leaves around it. It diffuses the light and adds a nice autumn look.

Figure B

Dress up a cloth napkin by folding it in half, placing a sprig of herb in the center and tying raffia around it (figure B). Just make a bow in the center and that's it.

Figure C

With this same table runner, set out clumps of dried wheat, which can be found at any craft store. Cut the dried wheat to the desired height, probably eight to 12 inches tall. Make three or four clumps, depending on the size of the table. Tie together the wheat with raffia or gold-wire ribbon. If placed on their ends, the wheat clumps will stand up on their own (figure C). Space them out along the table runner. Add covered candles between the wheat if you prefer.

Figure D

Use pine cones to hold place cards (figure D). Write the name of each guest on a small piece of paper and nestle it between the spaces of the pine cone.

Making corn-print place mats is a great activity for kids. Break or cut an uncooked ear of corn into 2-1/2-inch lengths. Firmly attach plastic corn-cob holders to the ends. Pour a few shades of fabric paint onto paper plates. Roll the corn in the paint, then across a cloth place mat. Repeat, overlapping patterns and hues. Then set the paint according to the directions.

Small Indian corn, gourd pumpkins and squashes are great reminders of the fall holidays. These pieces could be put into a small basket and displayed in the home or even on the buffet table.

Tie bunches of herbs and herb flowers together with a string to make a garland that can be draped on the table, wall or mantel. Another option is to use the herbs to liven up individual place settings by affixing them to napkins with ribbon.

For festive place cards, collect some fall leaves from the yard, write the names of each person on a leaf and carefully set them at each setting.

Here is a quick-and-easy way to create a beautiful table dressing. Materials required are a small clay pot, florist foam, various fall silk flowers, florist moss and double-sided tape. Cut the florist foam into cubes that will fit into the bottom of the clay pot. Attach a piece of double-sided tape to each cube and tape to the bottom of the pot. Cut the silk flowers to the desired length, then stick each one into the floral foam. Cover the foam and stems with the floral moss.

Guests
Dana Christine
Entertaining Expert
Grand Rapids, MN
Phone: 612-819-6611
E-mail: Danaholzinger@yahoo.com
Also in this Episode

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-464
•	Carving a Turkey
•	Thanksgiving Table
•	Potpies From Leftovers
•	Tip of the Day

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Thanksgiving Table

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At Home

Thanksgiving Table

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