How to….

I found a font on the computer I liked, I used KG The Fighter, and then typed up everyone’s names that will be at the table.  I spaced them out plenty so I would have enough room to cut them out with a 2 inch circle cutter.  Then I printed them on cream card stock.

Cut them out, the circle cutter made it so quick and easy!

Then take a hole puncher and punch a hole in the circles for tying the string.  I punched it about a half inch down so it would not rip through.

Next I took a wood stain marker to darken the edges and make them look a little more rustic to match my table.

Next, I used Jute string to tie around the mason jar glasses.  I tested the length of the string on one of the glasses and then when I had the desired length I quickly cut the rest of the string to match.

This was a quick and inexpensive way to add farmhouse style to my table!

Affiliate links (Amazon) are included for some of the items below for your convenience.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure here.

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Mason Jar glasses

cream card stock – Similar

2 inch circle cutter

hole punch

wood stain pen

Jute string – Similar

Here are a few more pictures of this year’s Thanksgiving table!

XOXO

Jen

These are so quick and simple to put together and you may already have everything on hand!  You need any size Mason jars, battery tea lights, and scotch tape.

I just picked these tea lights up at Target.

Tear off some tape and loop it around, sticky side out, and place on the inside of the lid.

Stick on the tea light candle and close up the lid.  That is it!

The tape is strong enough to hold the tea light in place to put the lid back on, but easy enough to pull the tea light off for turning on the light.  

These are also great for outside or any time of year!

What are everyone’s plans for Thanksgiving this year??!!  Do you host or head somewhere else??

Affiliate links (Amazon) are included for some of the items below for your convenience.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure here.

shop this look….

~ Mason jars

~ Battery Tea light candles

~ Masking tape

~ White buffet plates

~ buffalo check napkins

SIMPLE MASON JAR LANTERNS

I love how we get to enjoy our tree a little longer by putting it out early because the Christmas season goes so quickly!

I know some people just decorate for Christmas right after Halloween but we always host Thanksgiving so I don’t like to ignore that holiday and decor!

Most of the tree decor is from Hobby Lobby or JoAnn.  The wooden letters and pillow is from the Target Dollar Spot.

So how about you….do you decorate a tree for any other holidays besides Christmas??  Let me know if you have any other questions about where I purchased something!

XOXO

Jen

Here is my November thankful version….

and I know October has already past but here is my October more Halloween looking version….

For the time of year I thought pumpkins would be perfect hanging from the tree.  I had the idea to paint one side of the pumpkins white, and the other side with black chalk paint so that they could be turned around and used to write stuff we are thankful for on it.  I love getting the kids involved with that!

I used 10 small unfinished wooden pumpkins to hang from the tree.  They measure 4 x 5.5 inches.  For the white side I used spray chalk finish paint.  I just laid them all out on some wax paper outside and sprayed the tops and sides.  It was hot out so they dried pretty fast. 

When those were dry I brought them inside to paint with the black chalk paint. I actually already had some of this left over from painting my chalkboard wall.  

I then carefully painted the black chalk paint on just the tops with a foam brush. 

When those were dry I measured out 10 pieces of black gingham ribbon 6.5 inches long.  Then I glued with the hot glue gun a ribbon on each pumpkin.  

For the top of the tree you can use any cute fall or pumpkin sign or paint a larger wood pumpkin to sit on top.  I found an 11 inch wood pumpkin and I chose to paint my pumpkin orange for the Halloween version of my tree.  

I used a foam brush to paint the pumpkin.  

While my orange paint was still wet I sprinkled some clear glitter on top to give it a little shine and sparkle!

When it was all dry I sealed it with spray Mod Podge so I wouldn’t have glitter everywhere!  

After letting that dry I added a larger size gingham bow on top.  

The top of my wood tree already had a piece of velcro attached to it for sticking on the star when it is a Christmas Advent tree.  I added a piece of velcro to the back of my pumpkin so I could stick it right on.  You can see the details of that from the DIY Wooden Advent tree post.  

For the November Thankful version I decided to switch out the top for this cute Grateful, Thankful, Blessed sign I found at Hobby Lobby.  

Originally I had just planned to have my chalkboard pumpkins hanging from the tree but I found all these cute fall ornaments in the Target dollar spot for $1 each and I couldn’t resist!  I have an initial for each of our names hanging up and some other fun fall shapes too!  Then it’s time to gather the kids and write down some stuff you are all thankful for.  I used a chalk marker.

I love how I was able to convert my advent tree to get more use out of it in the fall!  So tell me, are you a decorate for Thanksgiving type or have you already decked your halls for Christmas??

So here is what you need.  As long as you have all the ingredients you can make as few or as many as you want.  The Betty Crocker Cupcake Icing in the can makes it so easy because it can give you just the right small dab of icing that you need without making a big mess.  

Add a small dab of icing to a Nutter Butter.  Those are so good if you have never tried them.  

Stick on a Hershey’s Kiss. 

On the other side of the Nutter Butter add another small dab of icing and stick on your mini chocolate chip.  

My kids love getting involved in the opening up of the Hershey’s Kisses.    I wonder why????  

Simple Thanksgiving fun!

These didn’t last 5 minutes on the table!

Try these out next week for a fun little food craft.

They can also make great take home treats or gifts for friends and dinner guests paired with mini pumpkin pies!  

I would love for you to join my Friday link-up party!

Acorn Treats

 

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These are a fun Thanksgiving food craft to make with the kids, or just fun treats for the table!

Author: A Fireman's Wife

Ingredients

• 1 bag Nutter Butter Bites
• 1 bag milk chocolate Hershey's Kisses
• 1 can Betty Crocker chocolate cupcake icing
• 1 bag mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Add a small dab of icing to one side of a Nutter Butter.
2. Stick on a Hershey's Kiss.
3. On the other side of the Nutter Butter add another small dab of icing and stick on your mini chocolate chip.
4. That's it! Make as many as you want!

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So like I mentioned above these can take a little time to prepare.  Because of that I choose to just use the pre-made store bought chilled dough.  I have an awesome homemade sugar cookie recipe that I make every year for Christmas cookies so if you are feeling ambitious you can totally use that.  But if you are like me and want to save a little time, and the cookies often get overshadowed by the pumpkin pie and forgotten about anyway…just sayin…..save yourself the time and go with pre-made.

To start trace one of each of your kiddos hands on a piece of white paper….as best you can.  I know the little ones can get pretty wiggly.  As long as you get the basic size you can help it to look more hand like.  Carefully cut out each hand and now you have templates to use on your dough.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  On a floured surface roll out your dough to about 1/4 inch thick.  Take one of your hand templates, place it on the dough, and with a sharp knife carefully cut along the edge of the hand…..this is the tedious part.  Repeat with all your different hand sizes until you are out of dough.  

Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until they are a light golden brown.  

Let the cookies sit a few minutes and then remove them to a cooling rack to finish cooling before decorating.  Now is the fun part!  To make it easy I just get the Betty Crocker tubes of colored icing.  I usually get red, orange, yellow, and white for the eye.  (Pay no attention to the fact that I have pink icing pictured below.  I still have not bought my turkey decorating supplies this year but I wanted to show what I use.) 

Then you will need mini chocolate chips and candy corn, both of which I usually always have left over from Halloween.  If not grab some candy corn, hopefully discounted, while it is still around.  

So now just let your kids have fun making them into turkeys!  Some years I help make them and some years it is all them.  They love to decorate “their” size of hand.  For the eye put a dab of white frosting and then a chocolate chip.  Add a candy corn for the beak and red frosting underneath for the waddle.  

And I totally don’t want to cry with this one or anything.  I think my oldest was 4 here!  Isn’t she the sweetest!

Need some fun Turkey Trivia to go with your cookies or to have at your Thanksgiving table??  Check out my post here!

Here is your printable recipe!

Turkey Hand Cookies

 

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This is a fun Thanksgiving activity to do with your kids.

Author: A Fireman's Wife

Recipe type: sugar cookies

Ingredients

• 1 roll of chilled Pillsbury sugar cookie dough
• flour for rolling the dough
• 1 tube red icing
• 1 tube orange icing
• 1 tube yellow icing
• 1 tube white icing
• mini chocolate chips
• candy corn
• white paper, pencil, and scissors for making your hand templates

Instructions

1. Trace one of each of your kiddos hands with a pencil on a piece of white paper....as best you can. I know the little ones can get pretty wiggly. As long as you get the basic size you can help it to look more hand like.
2. Carefully cut out each hand and now you have a template to use on your dough.
3. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
4. On a floured surface roll out your dough to about ¼ inch thick. Take one of your hand templates, place it on the dough, and with a sharp knife carefully cut along the edge of the hand.....this is the tedious part. Repeat with all your different hand sizes until you are out of dough.
5. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until they are a light golden brown.
6. Let the cookies sit a few minutes on the cookie sheet and then remove them to a cooling rack to finish cooling before decorating.
7. So now just let your kids have fun making them into turkeys!
8. At the top of where the thumb is add some white or yellow icing for the eye and then add a mini chocolate chip. Add some red icing underneath for the waddle. Decorate the rest of the cookie with all your colors!

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Start with a large bowl, unlike the small glass one I was using, because it will make life so much easier to mix it up.  Add in the powdered milk, Nesquik, powdered sugar, and the coffee mate.  Mix well and that is it for your mix!

I found this great container to store my cocoa mix in at Hobby Lobby the other day.  So much better than the large glass bowl I had been using for years.

When you are ready for some hot cocoa boil your water and then measure roughly 1/3 – 1/2 cup mix per coffee mug.  If it is a larger mug you may want to add a larger amount of mix.  Then add your boiling water to the cocoa mix and stir up.  Then we have a debate around our house what is actually better to top your cocoa with.  I love and only put whip cream on the top of mine, and my husband will only put marshmallows on top of his.  My kids will put a little of both.  So take your pick!

This can also make a great hostess or neighbor gifts around the holidays.  I just printed up little copies of the recipe and added it to a small jar of cocoa mix.  Fun to add in some marshmallows, straws, or candy canes too!

Homemade Hot Cocoa

 

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Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

 

Author: A Fireman's Wife

Recipe type: Beverage

Ingredients

• 5 cups powdered milk
• 1½ cups chocolate Nesquik
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• ¾ cup original Coffee Mate (the powdered stuff)
• Whip cream or marshmallows for topping

Instructions

1. Add powdered milk, Nesquik, powdered sugar, and coffee mate to a large bowl. Mix together well.
2. Boil water.
3. Add ⅓-1/2 cup cocoa mix to a coffee mug (*or more mix if using a really large mug).
4. Fill up coffee mug with boiling water and stir.
5. Top with whip cream or marshmallows.

Notes

*You can add a small piece of candy cane to your hot cocoa if you want more of a peppermint cocoa.

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I actually love most any kind of potatoes….especially mashed!  I traditionally think of having this recipe when making a steak or something, not so much with turkey, but lately my family has really taken a liking to these.  My husband and oldest daughter, who are not really big mashed potato fans, were both asking for these to be made on Thanksgiving and for the first time my daughter actually wants mashed potatoes.  So I said a definite “YES” to these!

*NOTE: All photos are from me doubling the recipe for my homeschool Thanksgiving potluck.  That is why all the quantities look bigger in the pictures.

Start with 5 pounds of Russet Potatoes.  *Recruit potato peeling helpers if you can.  Peel the potatoes, rinse, and then cut them into 1-to-2 inch pieces.  Put them in a large pot and add enough water to just cover the top.  Turn on the stove to high and cover and bring to a boil.  Once the pot is boiling I turn down the heat and simmer for about 20-25 min or until the potatoes are really soft and will easily mash with a fork.  

While potatoes are cooking cook up your bacon, regular or turkey.  I used turkey bacon here.

Slice up your green onions and then grate your cheese.

Chop up your bacon when it is done cooking.

When potatoes are done cooking remove them from the heat.  Add your butter to a large bowl.

Go ahead and scoop your hot potatoes right onto the butter.

When you have added all your potatoes to the bowl take your potato masher and mash away!  Your butter will melt really fast in those hot potatoes.

When your potatoes are all mashed up add in your cheese and stir that up.

Then add in your sour cream, bacon, and green onions and stir them up.

Then add your salt and pepper to taste.  I add in a pretty good amount for all those potatoes.  Just kind of taste as you go so you don’t add too much.  Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator and reheat for later.  I hope you enjoy these, they are amazing!

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

 

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Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

45 mins

 

Author: A Firemans Wife

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 5 pounds russet potatoes
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 heaping cup of cheese
• 4-6 ounces full fat sour cream
• 5 slices of cooked bacon chopped
• ½ of a bunch of green onions sliced
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Peel the potatoes, rinse, and cut them into 1- to- 2 inch pieces. Put potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to just cover the top. Cover and bring to a boil on high heat. When the pot is boiling turn down the heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are really soft and will mash easily with a fork.
2. While the potatoes are cooking cook up your bacon.
3. Then slice up your green onions and grate your cheese. Chop up your bacon when it is cone cooking.
4. When the potatoes are done remove them from the heat.
5. Add your butter to a large bow. Scoop your hot potatoes right on top of the butter and then mash them all up with a potato masher.
6. When the potatoes are all mashed up stir in your cheese.
7. Add your sour cream, bacon, and green onions and stir them all up.
8. Add your salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator and reheat for later.

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So that first year at Hobby Lobby we got a few things like garlands, and some pumpkins to get us started.  Being in November everything for fall was already on clearance.  Every year or two we go back to Hobby Lobby and add a few more items to our tree.  We have since added some corn and burlap in the form of pumpkins and a garland, and also a burlap tree skirt.  I just went to Joann and I told them the burlap I picked out was for a tree skirt and they knew exactly what size to cut it for.  It might have been three yards but after 4 kids my head just doesn’t remember details anymore!

Here are some examples of items we use on our fall tree.  The pumpkins are all on little sticks and we just stick them right in the tree.  Along with the leaf garlands we have a few fall leaf bunches that can just be stuck in the tree too.   

For the tree skirt I did not sew it or anything.  I just kind of drape it around the tree as best as I can.  The back side is against the wall so it does not need to be perfect.

This year we got 4 of these sunflowers to add to our collection.  I think they are so beautiful on the tree!

Here is our finished product!

The kids look forward to this tradition now just as much as decorating the tree for Christmas.  Then right after Thanksgiving the nice part is that our tree is already up and we just transition it to Christmas!

*** Here is a few updated pictures of my current fall tree this year in the new house!

I have always loved making the holidays special and a BIG DEAL for the kids.  From the time when my oldest was little we enjoyed collecting things like books, toys, decorations, clothes , or preparing food to go with the current holiday.  Still to this day after one holiday ends the kids are asking when it is time to take out decorations for the next!  So of course I have holiday decorations that I put up throughout the house, but years ago as I also started collecting items geared more towards the kids, I realized it would be fun to have a special place just to put their stuff.  So I came up with the idea of the Holiday Basket.

The holiday baskets contain anything from books, small stuffed animals or toys, maybe a craft or something that they made that they still like to play with the next year.  Most of the stuff in the basket is the same year after year as I still have new little ones coming up.  I think that is what makes it fun for them as they look forward to that certain toy, or book, coming out again that they only get to play with during that holiday month.  Sometimes new items make it into the basket, especially in the beginning when I started doing this and I was trying to “stock” the basket I got more, but usually I only get one or two new things for it every couple of years.

So here is what is in our Thanksgiving basket this year.  It is probably the neatest it will ever be, ha!, as it is played with daily!

I have broken it down so you could see more up close what I have in the basket.  First I will start with the basket itself.  This basket has been great!  It is the perfect size for all the holiday goodies and I love how sturdy it is and has handles on the sides.  I got it at Pottery Barn Kids years ago and I looked and they still have it!  They show it on sale right now as being a Halloween treat basket.  I have also seen them selling it around Easter time as well so it may be back then too.

Here are the Thanksgiving stuffed animals in our basket.  A few old Beanie Babies, that my 3 and 7-year-old love, a baby rattle, and my husband’s turkey carving hat from the Target dollar section two years ago.

Here are some former crafts that the kids have made.  I don’t always save every craft they make in the basket but if it’s something that they will want to wear again or play with I do put it out again.  The pilgrim hats were made about 4 or 5 years ago and now my 7 and 3-year-old still like playing with them.  They are stapled in the back and just the other day I resized them to fit their heads this year.  The pilgrim and indian paper dolls were made by the girls two years ago and those are still a huge hit.  This year my 3-year-old son loves playing with them too!  I found the paper doll bodies here, and the pilgrim and indian clothes here.  They have other holiday paper dolls there too.

Here is the Thanksgiving Thankerchief and a Thanksgiving memory game.  The Thankerchief is fun to pass around at the Thanksgiving table with the little “chant”, and whoever it stops at tells what they are thankful for.  This has my oldest’s little hand on it from 5 years ago.  The Thanksgiving memory game I found here.

Probably mine, and my kids, favorite part of any of the holiday baskets are the books.  I love having books in there where they can actually learn some history about, and why, we celebrate that holiday.  Of course we have some other fun ones mixed in there too!  The younger kids will request the holiday books for most nights at story time.  Years ago we found “The Night Before Books” and I think we now have one for every holiday!  Those are a fun spin-off of “The Night Before Christmas” and my kids have LOVED them.   Some other of my kids’ Thanksgiving favorites are “What is Thanksgiving?”, “Over the River and Through the Wood, and “The Story of the Pilgrims“.

I hope this gives you some great fun ideas of how you can make a special holiday basket for your kids!

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