Thanksgiving is just under a week away. We are super excited for two reasons this Thanksgiving: first we actually have the day off. This will be the first time in our 18 years of teaching overseas that we get the holiday! Second, we will be with family! We are visiting my sister Mary in Shanghai. To me when I think of the proper Thanksgivings I had as a child, I have transported back to a couple of very distinct memories: Grandma Soogie’s Cinnamon Rolls served at the meal–not as dessert, all my cousins playing together, my Grandpa Bumps, my dad carving the Turkey, and The Sound of Music played post meal each year. I’ve actually never made a turkey–it’s on my bucket list–so you won’t find any recipes on this Thanksgiving Roundup. However if I were to host a T-day, I’d be referring to a bunch of these links for other purposes:
Let’s start this Thanksgiving Roundup with the ultimate Thanksgiving Etiquette Guide from Bon Appétit. It covers everything from both host and guests responsibilities to the celebration.
For ways to decorate with gourds there’s this beautiful squash vase, these gourd candleholders, or this pumpkin server. Alternatively, you could check out this roundup of gourd decor from Ty Pennington. And don’t forget about using a pumpkin as a menu board!
If you’re sick of all things pumpkin, this orange center piece is so pretty and takes under five minutes to assemble! It basically uses nature from your backyard (if you have one!). This one is equally crafty using various colored legumes.
If conversation amongst the guests is a worry for the host, here are four very nifty printable conversation starters: 1) colorful, 2) plain, 3) seasonal, and 4) interactive spin wheel.
Arts and crafts with nature’s bounty could also be an option: paint acorns, line jars with fall leaves, or get crafty with pine cones. A kids’ craft table could also be provided with any of these 15 Thanksgiving crafts to do with kids.
Movies always seem to be a part of the post dinner activity–that’s when I remember The Sound of Music year in, year out. Here are the top 20 movies to be watched on Thanksgiving Day, including my all time fave!
This is just precious. It’s a clip caught from a Broadway production of The Sound of Music during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. The expressions of the gal to the left with the turquoise hat is PRICELESS!
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