Thanksgiving Crafts - Fun To Do With Kids

Turkey Candelabra






This silly Thanksgiving centerpiece takes very little time to assemble and is bound to elicit some giggles from your guests. Just be sure not to leave it unsupervised while its plumage is lit.




Materials
Medium-size pumpkin without a stem
Large serving platter
Large kitchen knife
Large butternut squash with a stem
Wooden skewers, halved
Craft knife
2 dried black-eyed peas or other dried beans
Metal-tipped vegetable peeler
6 or more dripless or drip-resistant taper candles
Toothpicks
Sun-dried tomato

Instructions:
Prop the pumpkin at an angle on the platter so the top points up at a 45-degree slant. If it doesn't balance easily, use a knife to cut a slice from underneath to create a flat base.

Cut off the top 5 inches of a large butternut squash for the turkey head, then attach it to the top of the pumpkin with skewer halves. Use the tip of a vegetable peeler or a craft knife to dig out 2 small slits for the eyes and push a dried black-eyed pea into each slit.

Cut the sides from the bottom half of the butternut squash, then use a craft knife to cut V shapes into each piece for turkey toes. Set the feet in place on the platter.

Mark the candle holes toward the back of the pumpkin, at least an inch apart. Don't place them too far down the back; the candles should stick out at a slight angle, no more than 45 degrees, or they'll drip.

Use a craft knife or the tip of a vegetable peeler to cut the holes, making sure they are slightly smaller than the candles, for a snug fit. If you cut the holes too big, wrap tinfoil or a pipe cleaner around the base of each candle, then push it into the hole far enough so that it's stable.

For a wattle, bend a piece of sun-dried tomato over the top of the beak and, if necessary, secure it with a piece of toothpick.






Glowbird


Create a flock of these bright votive holders: they're a great project for kids and, filled with battery-operated tea lights, a luminous addition to your table.





Materials
Hot glue
Glue gun
1 1/4-inch wooden doll head (available at craft stores)
Small glass bubble votive holder (ours is 4 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches high)
Brush
Mod Podge
Tissue paper
Scissors
Tacky glue
Beads


Instructions
1. Apply a dab of hot glue from a glue gun to the wooden doll head. Then adhere the head to the votive holder.
2. Brush Mod Podge over the head and body, then cover them with overlapping tissue paper scraps. Apply another Mod Podge layer and let it dry for at least 45 minutes.
3. To make the tail feathers, cut 9- by 2-inch strips of tissue paper, bend each in half without creasing it, then twist the ends together. Use a dollop of tacky glue to attach each feather to the body.
4. Cut a beak from a double layer of yellow tissue and affix it with tacky glue. Add two beads for eyes. Cut a long oval of red tissue, twist one end, and affix it as a wattle. Allow the turkey to dry.











From: FamilyFun.com

Making Thanksgiving Memories

It's that time of year, the leaves are falling and there's a little chill in the air as summer takes its last breath. Just around the corner, we'll gain an hour of sleep. Good thing too, we'll need that sleep to prepare for the onslaught of holiday guests we have coming over for Thanksgiving this year! To help you get through this Thanksgiving holiday, here are some essential tips for making sure things go smoothly and to make your holiday just a little less frantic.

The Setting

It's so easy to decorate for Thanksgiving. You can make a gorgeous centerpiece using items from around your house. Use a basket filled with gourds, fallen leaves, Indian corn, pinecones, corn husks, squash and mini pumpkins. You can also use these things to decorate your home. A few well placed mini pumpkins do wonders to set the mood for Thanksgiving.

The Table

Make sure you have clearly marked placecards for each person, so they know where to sit. Also, be sure to leave enough room on the table for all your serving dishes. It's a good idea to have extra chairs handy for any surprise guests who show up.

Meal Preparation Tips

Preparing a complete Thanksgiving meal can be quite a task, but with proper preparation ahead of time, you should be able to pull it off without a hitch. First, write down your menu and make a shopping list. Just in case, buy a little more of each item, so you won't be stuck with having too little of something on Thanksgiving day and all the stores are closed. Do your shopping a couple days ahead of time to beat the
inevitable last minute rush of Thanksgiving Eve. Make sure you have plenty of room in your kitchen and refrigerator and freezer to hold all the food you'll buy. You'll want to begin preparation of your dishes on Thanksgiving Eve unless you want to get up very early. Make sure you pay special attention to what needs to be done to the turkey. Hopefully, it's not frozen, but if it is, you can put it in the kitchen sink with lukewarm water and just keep changing the water every hour or so to hasten the thawing. For other dishes, prepare as much as you can ahead of time. You can usually make many side dishes and desserts completely ahead of time.

Backup Meal Plans

Your turkey will probably turn out ok, or at least edible, but if it doesn't, make sure to have an alternate available. Some good choices would be a ham, pot roast, a salmon or other fish.

Choices

It's a good idea to call each of your guests well ahead of time to make sure you won't be getting any surprises, like your brother's 15 year old has just turned vegetarian and won't be able to eat the turkey. Make sure to have plenty of something that a vegetarian would not have a problem with. I've found
vegetarians are often happy with some really tasty side dishes like mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and a salad. Though, a Tofurky would be a good choice to have if there are multiple vegetarians coming over. Don't forget others with special food requirements, such as allergies, diabetics, low sodium diets etc.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing isn't just for tech companies! To make your day easier, consider outsourcing a portion of the meal. Have a guest or two bring over a side dish or appetizer. Or consider buying the dessert. A few pumpkin pies from your local bakery topped with whipped cream would work just fine and I bet no one would know the difference!

Entertainment

After the meal, some guests may go home, while most others will opt to stay for a while. Football and basketball games will be plentiful on TV, but what about those not into watching sports? Have some board games on hand as well as party games that involve many players.

Conversation

One of the main points of the holiday season is to bring family and friends together to catch up and enjoy each other's company. Make it easy to have conversations in your home. Make sure you have some quiet areas and plenty of seating to make conversation easy.

The Kids

If you're going to be having multiple kids at your gathering, you need to be prepared for their needs. Make sure the kids have a separate table or are seated next to adults that will supervise them. After the meal, have games and activities especially for them, or have family games that can involve children.

Prepare For Emergencies

No, not a natural disaster or even a medical emergency, it's not nearly as bad as those but it certainly has the potential to ruin your holiday. I'm talking about the dreaded toilet back up. The last thing you want is to be stuck cleaning up that kind of mess when you're supposed to be preparing food. Make sure you have a plunger and some Drano or Liquid Plumber on hand in the bathroom that the guests will use. When and if
it happens, you'll be very glad you prepared for it. Trust me! Follow these tips and you should be one step closer to a safer, happier Thanksgiving holiday.

Lydia Quinn writes for PaperTrails.com, offering fine, fun and funky papers and gifts including invitations, stationery, pads, tags, cubes, stickers and more for every occasion. Visit us at http://www.papertrails.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lydia_Quinn

Party Favors Aren’t Just for Weddings

One of the many things a bride has to consider is the favors that will adorn the tabletops at her reception. Since party favors are usually marketed to brides, however, most party planners bypass the charming addition that they make for any occasion. Affordably priced and useful, party favors help liven up a gathering, and party planners who want to add a little panache incorporate their various party favor ideas into a celebration to provide guests with a special memento. And regardless of the nature of the gathering, just remember that party favors are no longer solely meant for weddings. Here are some party favor ideas to get you thinking creatively!

Anniversary: Whether it’s the first or the fiftieth time, celebrating the bonds of marriage is a special affair for both the couple and their family members. Often, anniversary celebrations are thrown secretly for the couple, who have no hand in its planning. Friends and family choose the cake or dessert, the decorations, and invitations; occasionally, they also choose to incorporate party favors into the festivities, which are always a big hit. Anniversary favors, usually a spin-off from wedding favors, herald love in all its forms and are available in a variety of different styles, colors, and shapes; popular party favor ideas include handy wine bottle stoppers, personalized champagne flutes (so everyone can toast the happily married couple!), and always useful barware sets.

Baby Shower: It’s an exciting, but hectic time when it comes to being a mother, and everyone wants to help out by providing assistance, advice, gifts, and, of course, by throwing a baby shower for the mom-to-be! With trays of delicious finger foods and cute baby gifts, the expectant mother and her friends celebrate the momentous occasion. And the perfect way to decorate each attendee’s spot at the table is with functional baby shower party favors, such as cheese graters, salt and pepper shakers, measuring spoons, and timers – all of which have a fun, festive baby shower theme.

Birthday Party: Birthday party favors, which make excellent grab bag gifts or table decorations, are perfect no matter how old the ‘birthday girl or boy’ is. For children’s birthdays, selecting age appropriate party favors, such as lip balm, candy in personalized favor tins, and picture frames, is ideal; while, for an older teen’s or adult’s get together, party favor ideas such as candles, ice cream scoops, pens, and bookmarks not only help guests reminisce but are also fully functional.

Bridal Shower: This get together is one of the bride’s most cherished events; she has time to mingle with her best friends and just kick back and relax. Planning the bridal shower is often relegated to the maid of honor or other close friend, who takes care of all the responsibilities of selecting a theme, sending out invitations, choosing a caterer (or cooking it herself), and decorating the space festively. Providing just an extra touch of personalization, bridal shower party favors are a classy, thoughtful way to help your guests remember the party and thank them for coming. Whatever party favor ideas you choose – from candles and photo albums to monogrammed make-up bags and coasters, your guests will have a stylish memento to remember the festivities long after they end.

Graduation Party: From high school to college and beyond, the graduate in your life deserves a little recognition for his or her hard work over the years. And what’s the perfect way to celebrate? With a party, of course! From a cook out to a day at the beach, there are just as many party favor ideas to complement whatever theme you choose, including customizable favor tins, memorable photo frames, and stylish, yet feminine koozies to keep those drinks cold all summer long.

Quinceanera: Celebrating the day when a girl turns fifteen – a rite of passage for many – is an important milestone and one that has been planned for months. Dressed entirely in white, she looks forward to this day, sharing in the festivities with her friends and family members. While planning the big after party, finding a way to thank the guests for their attendance is a necessity! Along with the food and entertainment, decorating the tables with festive party favors for all who showed up is a great way to say thanks. From manicure and pedicure sets for the younger attendees to candles and personalized shot glasses for the older folks, there are many different party favor ideas to show your appreciation.

Keep the Memories Alive
The perfect place setting or little thank you gift for any get together is a party favor! Regardless of whether the event you’re throwing is for yourself or a loved one, party favors add a special touch to any affair. Small, customizable, and affordable, party favors keep the memories alive long after the party is over.

By Cherie Johnson

Perfect Party

This Perfect Party website is truly a time saver! From the comfort of your home or office you can order exactly what you want without having to travel to several stores. The unique party packs come right to your door, now what could be easier than that? These days with our crazy schedules that makes it well worth your money. You may say to yourself, I have seen some of your products in party stores. Yes, you will find some or part of our products in retail stores but only in a limited range. You will never find every product you need, all in one memory box with special featured items that relate solely to the theme in any one retail store. So take your time, there is lots to look at from themed Party Packs for Birthdays for kids and adults, Baby & Bridal Showers, Anniversaries and unique gift ideas and more.

Here you will find different ideas for all different types of parties.

Box of Questions - Celebrities Love Them - So Will You

Looking for a unique gift to give to a friend or family why not check out our Box of Questions, which are games to create great conversations. Even celebrities love these!!

1. Family Dinner Box of Questions:

The Family Dinner game is guaranteed to inspire fun and meaningful conversations at your family dinner. Celebrities who love the Family Dinner Box of Questions: Maria Shriver

2. Girls Night Out Box of Questions:

The best girls' night out game, guaranteed to inspire you to kiss and tell at your next girlfriends get together! Great for bachelorette parties, bridal and baby showers, girls’ night out. Celebrities who love these: Eva Longoria, Danity Kane .

3. Slumber Party Box of Questions:

The best sleepover party game for kids! Celebrities who love these: Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers.

4. Truth or Dare Box of Questions:

A cool new spin on your favourite game! Reveal your secrets! Test your courage! This is recommended for teens and older. Celebrities who love these: Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers

All boxes are colourful and sturdy gift box with a snug top and glossy cards. What a unique and fun gift to give someone.

So stop by Your Perfect Party Shop – http://www.yourperfectpartyshop.com you will find them listed under the category Entertaining Accents & Gifts.

Soapsicles Are Great Party Favors and Hostess Gifts

Never heard of a Soapsicle before? They’re bars of soap that are the same size as a real popsicle. The wood stick is not only totally cute but also really helpful when you have slippery hands!

Soapsicles are loved by everyone, these soap versions smell delightfully like the real thing & weighs 3 ounces – the same size as a real popsicle. You're gonna have trouble resisting taking a bite out of these yummy smelling popsicles, but don't -- they're soap! Best way to care for your Soapsicles is to store on a soap dish which allows air to circulate under the soaps.

They are great for gifts, party favours, stocking stuffers, teacher’s gifts even hostess gifts. Stop by: http://www.littlegiftsforyou.com/soapsicleshop.htm

They will love your gift!!

Jump Start Summer

Why not jump start the summer by having your own flavor of the Caribbean to your own backyard party. Set some Caribbean music and jive along. Palm trees and tiki decorations add the authentic touch to your celebrations. Whether it’s a complete party, just favors or only a craft, we deliver exactly what you need to make your next party a success.

Save time and money running around looking for these items....shop online today! http://www.yourperfectpartyshop.com/

Here are some food ideas to help you set the mood for your party:

Caribbean Dream
3/4 cup vanilla ice cream
3/4 cup pineapple sherbet
3/4 cup tropical fruit salad, drained
1/4 cup frozen banana-orange juice concentrate
1/4 tsp rum-flavoured extract

1 - Place ice cream, sherbet, fruit salad, banana-orange juice concentrate and rum extract in blender. Blend on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth and well blended.

2 - Pour into 2 serving glasses. Serve immediately.
Serving for 2..

Serve It With Style!
Try adding a tablespoon of rum instead of rum-flavored extract for a more mature flavor.
Lighten Up!
To reduce the fat, replace vanilla ice cream with reduced fat or fat-free ice cream or frozen yogurt.

LUAU PIZZA
1 (10 oz)Thin-crust Italian Bread Shell
2 cups (8 oz) Shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
1 can (8 oz.) Pineapple tidbits in juice, drained
4 slices (2 oz.) Canadian Bacon,
1 cup Fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup Green peppers, chopped
1/4 cup (1 oz) Fresh parmesan chsse, grated

Preheat over to 450 degrees. Place bread shell on 13 round baking sheet (baking stone if you have one would be better). Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover evenly with pineapple. Stack Canadian bacon slices, cut stack into eights. Arrange bacon over pineapple on bread shell. Slice mushrooms, chop bell peppers. Grate parmesan cheese. Sprinkle mushrooms and bell peppers evenly over bread shell. Top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Bake 13--17 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut into wedges. Yield: 6 servings

PINEAPPLE BOATS
Slice fresh pineapple in half and fill each half of the Pineapple, which are now boats with tuna or chicken salad. Salads you have made. Add mandarin oranges, grapes, silvered almonds or walnuts for the truly tropical experience.
Place long swivel stick in the middle with a pineapple slice and cherry on top.

ENJOY!