Christmas Tree Trimming Party

A festive and casual Christmas Tree Trimming Party is a great holiday season party theme. It can be planned as an Open House where your guests arrive to find a naked tree and a house that is not quite ready for holidays. If you're lucky, at the party's end, your tree will be fully dressed and ready to welcome Father Christmas. So before your guests arrive, purchase your tree and set it up in its stand - and make sure have a plan for food!

The party can be held any time of the day. For a weekend afternoon gathering, the simplest food option is to have plates of cookies and sweets with festive holiday drinks. Or invite guests to come after dinner for wine and cheese. A weekend brunch is a relaxing option or early supper buffets are an heartier option. It will all depend on how much cooking you will want to do, but serve your food buffet style, since this will be an active party with your guests moving around decorating, or at least admiring, your tree. 

Have ornaments and decorations available for guests to hang on nearby tables in decorative bowls or baskets. Leave the most precious ones for later for safety. If you have a fireplace, light a fire in the hearth and play Christmas carols as background music. If you have a piano, place Christmas sheet music on it in case any of your guests feel inspired to play. Set up a table for guests to make their own ornaments to take home as a party favor. Jo-Ann's and Michael's have kits available. You could set up bowls of popcorn and cranberries in cozy corners of your home for guests to string as decorations for your tree or ribbon scraps and staplers. It's a great way for guests who don't know one another well to interact.

If nothing else you will have helped your friends to forget, at least momentarily, their seasonal chores, and to remember the fun of the holiday season. I assure you will be left with holiday cheer and a little less decorating to do yourself.

Cookie Exchange

'Tis the season of eating! Many holiday traditions includes baking Christmas cookies. It can be time consuming if you're anything like me where you plan to bring a variety for an attractive cookie tray for holiday parties. But the Cookie Exchange Party is the solution to keep the fun in the baking and minimize the time pressure.

To host a cookie exchange party, invite friends who also enjoy holiday baking to bring a large batch of one type of cookie to your home. You could expand the definition of the party to include other treats - home made candy, chocolate covered pretzels, or other festive sweets. During the party, everyone shares the treats, giving everyone a variety, but only requires baking one recipe. Ask everyone bring an extra dozen for the party table, and the you have instant refreshments to serve to guests!

10 Tips for a Great Cookie Exchange

1. Ask each guest to bring either a dozen cookies for each attendee, plus a dozen for the party.
2. Have plastic storage bags, holiday themed tins or paper plates and foil just in case guests forget to bring a container for transporting their cookies home. * Reminder: store each cookie variety in separate containers until serving. Mixed cookie varieties lose their flavor and texture.
3. Ask guests to bring copies of their recipe to share. 
4. Have a large table for guests to set out their cookies with a festive cloth. have baskets, trays or plates on the table for each guest to place their contributions.
5. Place an extra platter on the table for the cookies that will be enjoyed during the party.
6. Play Christmas music throughout the gathering.
7. Have some festive decorations in the party room.
8. A cookie exchange can be held any time of the day.
9. Serve refreshments that can be prepared in advance and reheated at the party.
10. Serve at least one holiday beverage such as egg nog or hot mulled cider along with coffee, tea, juices and, of course, milk!

Family Circle magazine November issue has a variety of recipes perfect for a cookie exchange party. Although, I recommend a cookie recipe that is a family tradition to share. In any case, I assure  you will have some great looking trays and recipes to take to other holiday parties.

Holiday Greetings

Whether you send photo cards, store bought cards, letters or homemade cards, you better get going if you want them to arrive by the holidays. Although I have friends that send them on purpose to arrive in time for New Year's Day along with that theme. In years past I have done store bought cards and I then graduated into hand-made cards to send a little bit of me. That got harder each year as we had children and the list of friends continued to grow. I branched off into "the holiday letter" - a tricky piece of territory in my family. I have heard for many, many years how some letters are so boring or "braggy" or simply just have ages and dates changed from my mother I knew I would have to come up with something good. I searched the Internet to see what ideas were out there and come up with a short multiple choice quiz - the teacher in me was shining through! I wrote 10 questions two about each individual family member and two about big news from the year. It was just enough to share about our past year and brag about my kids. The next year I found a story where you could fill in the blanks to personalize it for your family. It turned out brilliantly and quite entertaining if I say so myself. Another year I came up with a crossword puzzle - I used I web site I had in the past for a classroom project for social studies - you just can't get the teacher out of me. last year had to be the most fun for me. My son decided he wanted to celebrate Hanukkah - we're not Jewish by the way. I came up with a newspaper themed letter. The headline was about Hanukkah because I knew it would flip a few people out. In the lead article I explained what was going on with holiday celebrations at our house including my 7 year old son's fascination with Hanukkah. I included articles about sports the kids were involved in - my favorite was the piece I wrote about my son's fencing lessons and him feeling like a pincushion - "money matters" because of my husband's job, and education because my daughter had started middle school that year.I had fun with it and couldn't stop laughing as I was writing it. The best part of these letters is the kudos - if you will - we get after the holidays. People really do call to catch up and nurture relationships. The downside is that I have to come with and even better idea the next year! How ever you send your holiday cards this year, do it with cheer in your heart. I assure you will enjoy the task even more.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties are gaining ground on traditional holiday party themes. Not just for friends and family hosting in their homes but sometimes these parties occur at work places too! I found a website http://www.uglychristmassweaterparty.com/ for you to check out. Most of these raise money for local charities - great idea in my opinion. The three men who started the website have a book Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book as well. The part I loved was,

"When choosing an Ugly Christmas sweater, your main goal should be to stimulate as many of the five senses as possible. You will want to pick a sweater that is so retina-burning colorful that the only way people will be able to look at you is through one of those foil-covered boxes students make so they can look at a solar eclipse."

I laughed until I cried. This is the perfect party theme for men to enjoy! Instead of fighting with them to get ready to leave for a holiday get together; they will have been planning and combing Goodwill stores for a sweater to do just what is quoted above!

On a bit of a side note...the latest uncommon goods catalog has reclaimed Christmas sweater scarves that are pretty fun to wear. After a few Ugly Christmas Sweater parties you could have a reclaimed Christmas Sweater Scarf Making party!

I believe in bringing cheer into the holiday season full throttle. What a great way to do that with a party theme like Ugly Christmas Sweater Party! I assure you everyone (men included) will have a great time.

Leftovers and More Leftovers

Go to www.Allrecipes.com for some amazing Thanksgiving leftover recipes. You can even add your own! I have found some great turkey chili, soup, and other creative recipes that my family enjoys. It's tough when your eating the same thing every day this weekend but I assure you will feel great after putting together recipes from this site.

Okay Room Moms - it's time to start planning for the winter classroom party! It will be here in about three weeks so gather your troops and hit it here with a suggested letter to classroom parents regarding what the party will look like and what your needs are to be a success for the kiddos. Send it to school Monday for their backpacks.

Thank you for signing up for the class party needs. You are very generous! Here is your friendly Winter Class Party update:

Winter Celebration Friday, December 16@ 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

Parent Helpers:  ? , ? ,  and ? will take photographs

The plan for the Winter Celebration look like: 2 crafty activities - snowflake frames (Popsicle sticks, snowflakes foam shapes, and ribbon) and pretzel and string cheese snowflakes (edible treat); estimation jar (holiday M&M's); book exchange (kiddos will bring a new or gently used book wrapped to shuffle around the circle during a read aloud); and science "experiment" - lifting an ice cube with a string (cups, water, string, ice cubes, salt). I have also printed off jokes and riddles for the kids to read aloud if activities run fast than I anticipate. The kiddos will eat something sweet (cookies or brownies), something healthy (string cheese and pretzels), and have some juice throughout the party.

Treats and Supplies:

Cookies/ brownies (1 dozen each)                                           ? , ?,  and ?
Stick pretzels (1 large bag)                                                      ? and ?
String cheese                                                                         ?
Holiday M&M's (1 large bag)                                                     ?

Popsicle sticks                                                                       ?
holiday foam shapes                                                               ? and ?
1 bolt 1/2 " wide ribbon                                                          ? and ?
plastic cups                                                                            ?
ice cubes                                                                               ?
string                                                                                     ?

The number of question marks indicates how many people you may need to supply these items. I hope this sparks some ideas for you. Remember simple is best and I assure you success. Come back to find more classroom activity ideas.

Easy Oreo Truffles

Happy Thanksgiving! Get that turkey in the oven!

Found this recipe @ http://www.fabulousfoods.com/ and I tried them out -they're FANTASTIC and SO easy! You will need:

• 1 package Oreo cookies
• 1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese
• 2 packages semi sweet chocolate chips

1. Grind up cookies in a food processor (I use my blender) until they're in fine crumbs.
2. Add cream cheese to the cookie crumbs and blend until combined.
3. Place the mixture in the freezer for 10 minutes.
4. Roll combined mixture into 1 - 1/2 inch balls and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet.
5. Put back into freezer (may be made 1 week ahead of time at this point).
6. Melt chocolate chips in microwave on low or double boiler.
7. Dip frozen balls into chocolate and put back on parchment.
8. Decorate with chopped nuts,sprinkles, coconut, Heath bar bits, or extra cookie crumbs before the chocolate dries.
9. Freeze until ready to serve.

The kids loved them, my in-laws loved them, the neighbors loved them. I assure you will have the same success as I.

24 hours and counting

I plan to bake and prepare all the desserts today. The turkey will be thoroughy thawed by tomorrow as I took it out of the freezer Monday morning and transferred to the refrigerator. My 12 year old daughter will be setting the table inbetween dessert projects; so I found a great picture guide in Family Circle magazine this month. It's on page 78. I hope you enjoy your day of preparations as much as I will!

Easy Snack Food for the Holiday

I found some red pistachios and green pepitas (pumpkin seeds) to make some festive snack bowls to pass around with drinks. Use a white bowl and fill one side with the red and the other green. I use a piece of paper to divide the bowl and it looks GREAT!

Kid Activity

We usually take out the tree on Thanksgiving as part of the day. Sometimes, because so many people are at the house, I won't take out any of our ornaments for fear of breakage. I do, however, always offer some kind of decorating activity for the kids. I want them to  bond with each other and stay occupied so grown-ups can talk.

In past years I have set out squares of aluminum foil to make chain rings. It doesn't require adult supervision - no glue, scissors or sparkles to clean up later. I buy the pre-cut squares like delis use and find a spot for the kids to work out of party traffic areas.

I have also done ribbon chains. This requires prep work of cutting up the ribbon and perhaps some adult supervision because I let them use a stapler. The kids use up all my scraps and create a beautiful, colorful chain to hang on the tree! Other items that work are pipe cleaners and paper strips. I let the grown-ups do the popcorn and cranberries because of the needles, but always offer a bowl full of thimbles!

Cookie Trees

I save the gingerbread house construction for Christmas and create Cookie Trees for Thanksgiving. It becomes an activity even the youngest of hands can help with. The process of building may take up to an hour, but well worth it. You will need:

• 2 16 ounce boxes confectioners' sugar
• 6 egg whites
• 3 Styrofoam cones, ranging in height from 7 inches to 12 inches
• 4 12 ounce boxes vanilla wafers or other small, flat cookies

1. Beat all but 1/4 cup of the sugar with the egg whites until stiff.
2. Spread a thin layer of the frosting on a cone (one cone at a time)
3. Working from the bottom up, overlap cookies, using more frosting as necessary.
4. Repeat for the other 2 cones.
5. Use a small sieve to dust the trees with the remaining sugar.

Straight pins can be used to hold the cookies in place while the frosting dries. The trees look pretty classy on the dining room table as a centerpiece. Sometimes I forget to remove them so I buy pins that have colored ends to look like ornaments.

Linda's Christmas Eve Soup

My dear friend Linda shared this recipe ages ago and I have added it to my holiday menus! This Sherried Wild Rice Soup is fantastic! You will need: 

• 2/3 C. raw wild rice
• 2 C. salted water
• 2 medium leeks, including some green, diced
• 2 large mushrooms, diced
• ½ C. butter
• 1 C. flour
• 8 C. hot chicken broth, salt & pepper
• 1 C. half and half
• 3 Tablespoons dry sherry

1. Wash wild rice thoroughly. 
2. Place in a heavy saucepan with salted water. 
3. Bring to a boil.
4. Simmer covered for about 45 minutes until tender, but not mushy.
5. Fluff with fork.
6. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Drain excess liquid.
8. Saute the leeks and mushrooms in butter about 3 minutes or until soft.
9. Sprinkle in the flour, stirring and cooking until flour is cooked, but not browned.
10. Slowly add the chicken broth, stirring until flour mixture is blended well.
11. Add the rice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
12. Heat thoroughly, stirring in half and half and add sherry.
13. Heat gently, but do not boil. 

 Makes about 12 servings.

I assure you this soup is so wonderful you will be adding it to your holiday menu!

Food!

When the holidays roll in, from Halloween to New Years, we seem to find ourselves faced with FOOD every where we turn. I have hypothyroid and find it harder and harder to keep the weight off so I'd like to share a few of my tips to avoid over-doing-it:

1. Don't skip breakfast. I have some lean protein and high fiber carbohydrates - no more than 350 calories total.
2. Have a small morning snack. I usually have my fruit for a morning snack.
3. Decide what you going to eat. I know who's hosting for the holiday meal and all the "traditional" dishes that will most likely be served; so I know what I really want to eat and what I could choose to skip. I always think about serving size too.
4. Schedule an after dinner walk. Since I have kids who are constantly on the go, this is easy for me. The neighbors usually have holiday lights and decorations up so a 20 minute causal stroll gives us all a chance to spread out a little.
5. Skip the alcohol. This is a challenge for me - especially if we go to my in-laws! I will sip club soda with a lime because it looks like a cocktail. Definitely a mind trick.

I hope these help you too.

Green Chile Pie

This recipe is similar to Pastel de Elote, but turns out more like a pie where the Pastel de Elote is closer to corn bread. Again I have Mrs. Bowers to thank. You will need:

• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 sour cream
• 2 cups jack cheese shredded
• 7 ounces green chiles (I prefer diced)
• 1 1/3 cups cheddar cheese shredded
• salt to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
• pie shell
• picante

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl sprinkle the chiles over the shredded cheeses.
3. Beat eggs, sour cream, cumin and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Pour wet mixture into pie shell.
5. Sprinkle cheese mixture into pie shell.
6. Bake 1 hour and let stand to cool for 15 minutes.
7. Serve with picante.

I love using these recipes for the holidays and Fall potlucks. I get to tell a story about my "younger days" and how someone opened their home to me. (sigh) Gives me a warm feeling inside - not just because of the chiles! I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do and consider sharing them or opening your home to someone who could use a little company around the holidays.

Pastel de Elote or "Corn Pie"

My first Thanksgiving away from home was my during freshman year at Colorado State University. Lucky for me there was a gal whose family lived in Fort Collins and invited me into their home for the holiday. This post is a recipe Mrs. Bowers shared and that I have used every Thanksgiving since. You will need:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 can of corn
• 10 ounces frozen corn
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup corn meal
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 ounces Jack cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese into 1/2 inch cubes
• 4 ounces diced green chiles
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp Worcestershire
• salsa 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease 10 inch pie pan.
3. Beat eggs.
4. Add remaining ingredients and continue mixing.
5. Bake for 1 hour.
6. Serve with salsa.

Thanks Mrs. Bowers!

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apple Caramel Sauce

Every Thanksgiving my mother-in-law serves the same sweet potato puree topped with marshmallows. I don't like sweet potatoes this way so I am constantly on the lookout for new recipes. I found the one I'm sharing today in Fitness magazine almost 10 years ago and it's a great one!
You will need:

• 1 1/4 lbs sweet potatoes
• 1 1/2 cups apple juice
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cinnamon stick or 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 quarter-size slice of fresh ginger
• 1 tsp cider vinegar
• butter flavored cooking spray
• 2 tsp butter, cut up

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Place potatoes (leave the skins on) in a 2-quart microwave-safe baking dish and cook in microwave on high for 5 minutes turning potatoes once halfway through.
3. Let stand 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle.
4. Combine juice, sugar. cinnamon and ginger slice in a small saucepan.
5. Over high heat, bring to a boil stirring until sugar is dissolved.
6. Boil 10 more minutes or until mixture thickens to a light syrup consistency.
7. Let cool.
8. Remove and discard cinnamon stick and ginger slice.
9. Stir in cider vinegar.
10. Peel potatoes and cut into half-inch-thick slices.
11. Coat baking dish with butter-flavored cooking spray.
12. Arrange potatoes in three overlapping rows in prepared dish.
13. Dot with butter and drizzle with 2 tablespoons syrup.
14. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes until just tender.
15. Remove foil and drizzle with 2 more tablespoons syrup.
16. Bake potatoes 15 minutes or until tender.

You will probably have leftover syrup. I use it on waffles or something else later. I love sweet potatoes this way and so do my kids. Let me know what you think!

Disneyfamily.com

Once again http://www.disneyfamily.com/ has some amazing crafts and recipes for the Thanksgiving holiday. Lots of ideas for kids' table! Check it out.

Decorating "Wishes"

Sometimes we only see some of our extended family once or twice a year - around the holidays. Here is a holiday decorating idea that will keep them close to you each day you have this hung in your home... You will need:

• one grapevine (twig) wreath (found @ Michael's or Jo-Ann's craft stores)
• red Sharpies or markers
• white cardstock cut into 2x3 sizes
• 1 yard of beautiful, bold, wide green ribbon (for hanging the wreath)

1. Hang the twig wreath in a spot where arriving or departing guests can't miss it.
2. Set the markers and cards under or next to it on a writing friendly surface.
3. Post a little sign asking guests to write or draw a greeting or holiday wish along with their name and slip into wreath.

You will have a one of a kind wreath to enjoy throughout the holidays! I have tried this with holiday cards sent through the mail, but because of the multitude or colors and sizes of cards it never turns out quite the way I had planned. I have also tried it with the photo cards sent as holiday greetings - I end up mounting them on cardstock, turning it into a bigger project and still unhappy with the outcome because of the colors... I use this simple color blocking idea of red on white with the bold green ribbon because it's so pleasing to the eye.

Sometimes it's our friends we only see once or twice a year. Whoever you choose to participate in this activity I assure you will enjoy the greetings and wishes.

Decorating for the Holidays

I love decorating in stages for the holidays. Getting ready for Thanksgiving is easy with evergreens. Take any fresh evergreens and hang them around doorways and windows inside your home for your open house or Thanksgiving. It will encourage your guests to venture into different rooms improving your party's flow. I like to purchase the white-pine garlands when I can. They have long, soft needles and really full boughs. Hanging the fresh evergreens are easy with just a hammer and a couple of nails to create a swag over the doorway too. 

Roasted Smashed Potatoes

I found this recipe in the Costco Connection magazine. I am planning to have these out for my Thanksgiving dinner and open house.

IMPORTANT:

• Do not use any potatoes larger than 2 inches in diameter.
• Cook potatoes thoroughly so they will smash.
• Remove the potatoes from the baking sheet as soon as they are done browning to avoid toughening.

You will need:

• 2 pounds small red potatoes
• 6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3/4 cups water
• 2 baking sheets

1. Adjust oven racks to top and bottom positions and preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. Arrange potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. Pour 3/4 cup water into baking sheet and wrapped tightly with aluminum foil.
4. cook on bottom rack until paring knife slips in and out of potatoes easily (poking through the foil) 25 - 30 minutes.
5. Remove foil and cool for 10 minutes. If any water remains, blot dry with paper towel.
6. Drizzle 3 Tbsp oil over potatoes and roll to coat.
7. Space potatoes evenly on baking sheet.
8. Place second baking sheet on top and press down firmly on baking sheet, flattening potatoes until 1/3 to 1/2 in thickness.
9. Sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper to taste and drizzle evenly with remaining 3 Tbsp of oil.
10. Roast potatoes on the top rack for 15 minutes.
11. Transfer potatoes to bottom rack and continue to roast until well browned for 20 - 30 minutes.

I made these for dinner last night and the kids loved them. It's faster to use the second baking sheet to smash the taters but you can use an old-fashioned potato masher. I assure you your family will too.

Open House Menu

This is just one menu idea. I like it because it sounds fancy but is pretty easy.

THE MENU - serves 30

Supper

• Pepitas and Pistachios
• Warm Rosemary Olives
• Smoked Salmon with Creme Fraiche Sauce on Shallot Toasts
• Cheese Platter
• Frisee, Bacon, and Goat-Cheese Salad
• Potato-Apple Gratin
• Grilled Sausages with Pickled Onions ans Assorted Mustards

Dessert

• Coconut Snowballs
• Magic Cocoa
• Chocolate Ganache Sandwiches

Drinks

• Juices
• Still and Sparking waters
• Red and white wine

I originally found it in Real Simple magazine. Let me know if you need any of the recipes.

Open House

An Open House over Thanksgiving (or even between Thanksgiving and New Year's) where family and friends come and go gives you more time to enjoy their company. So here's the plan:

1. Send out the invitations NOW! Today! E-vites are informal. If you're looking for something more formal Target or Office Depot have some package sets you could run through your printer. Make sure to having an ending time so guests aren't arriving while your mopping up. 4 to 7 p.m. is perfect.
2. Plan for 2 plates, 2 forks, and 2 glasses for every guest. I mentioned yesterday about stores having great deals right now if you're in need of these items. Don't forget your coupons!
3. Order some evergreens and amaryllises for decorations. Or head out to Michael's or Jo-Ann's to make your own. Don't go without your weekly circular of coupons!
4. I order bulbs for party favors, but you might have a different idea. (Add them to this as comment if you do)
5. Decide on menu (Ideas will be posted tomorrow).
6. Two weeks prior, do a grocery haul for all your ingredients minus produce, breads, and dairy. Don't forget beverages: sparkling water, juices, red and white wines. Watch for weekly specials!
7. Decide on serving dishes. Yesterday I mentioned stores having these items at low prices. You could borrow from people you know too!
8. 2 DAYS BEFORE: buy ice (1 pound per person), breads, produce, and dairy including cheeses.
9. 2 DAYS BEFORE: decorate party rooms. Set up the buffet table with flatware, plates, platters, and serving utensils. Make sure the table is accessible from all sides. Set up the "bar" away from the buffet table.

I have presented the majority of a timeline you need. Tomorrow I'll have some ideas about the menu and wrap up the timeline with the preparations of food to be served. This gets you started so put your mind at ease. I assure you your open house will be a hit!

Get Ready, Get Set

I was wandering around a new Ross in the neighborhood, and found some great name-brand stemware! It got me thinking, "Do I have enough glasses, dishes, place mats, and napkins?" The result of this thought got me digging around the cupboards for the entertaining dishes and glasses to see what I have.

• I set up the dining room table with a place setting and counted off how many guests we will have this year.
• I took out all the serving dishes and labeled them with sticky notes with what will be served in each.
• I pulled out all the cookware I will need for my menu.
• I took out the table clothes, place mats, and napkins to be freshened and pressed too. 

And today I will be shopping. I have an organized list of what I need for the holiday. I know Ross and Bed, Bath and Beyond have some great items - and I have a stack of coupons for BB&B! Cost Plus World Market is another "go to" place for me to shop. Try this yourself. I assure you it gets you planned and ready for turkey day!

Share A Story

When you host Thanksgiving your house is full of family of different "ages and stages." Imagine the history... I don't have any of my grandparents left to join us for the holidays and often wonder why I never asked a particular question. I know... hindsight is 20/20, right? But I would like to take this opportunity today to ask you to honor the generation before you this Thanksgiving by inviting these family members to bring some photo albums to share. As the saying goes, "A picture's worth a thousand words." But do you know the words? Turn the TV off, slow down, and listen to stories of your family. Let the "elders" talk freely with your kids, nieces, and nephews. Uncle Keith has worked on cars for years, but has he ever told you when he... Let them brag, inspire and embellish! In fact, ask your cousins, brothers, and sisters to bring along a few photos too. Even though you may have attended the same "event" their perspective may open your own eyes to a new take on the story!

How many of you have had to suffer through a school genealogy project for you child? I am constantly stuck with this one! Here's an opportunity for your kids to take the reigns, scan some pictures for next year's place cards, add that Apache Indian relative to the family tree, write down the medals Grandpa was awarded for service in World War II, and FINALLY get hold of Great Aunt Neva's applesauce cake recipe! Perhaps stopping for a few days to listen, laugh, embrace and honor how your family came to be this Thanksgiving Day is just what everyone really needs this holiday.

Table Place Cards

An non-edible one today... I am a scrapbook-er at heart. I love the paper and design of the craft. So it didn't take much for me to put together some place cards for Thanksgiving this year. I had all my supplies so it was completely inexpensive.

I started with 4x4 squares and used rusts and burnt orange along with some olive green. I folded them in half like a standard table tent and used decorative scissors on the bottom front edge. I found casual pictures of every guest (I never throw away pictures!), mounted them on cream card stock, and mounted those on the table tents. I went on a walk and found some acorns, acorn caps, small leaves, and some seeds. I glued those on the table tent next to the picture of the guest. I think they look great.

If you have guests that arrive before the big day and need something for them to do, this is a great activity. You could even extend it and have them write why they are thankful for that person on the inside. I assure you it will be a treasure!

Family Holiday Icebreaker

I love hosting Thanksgiving. I enjoy the planning of the holiday - everything from the menu to where everyone will sleep! It is also important to me to entertain my guests young and old. So when the family gets together for Thanksgiving I make sure I have some plans. Although I do try to make the plans as low key as possible, everyone seems to enjoy.

Today's idea is something I found in Parenting Magazine several years ago - a family BINGO card. Instead of numbers, fill in the boxes with facts about the guest, like "Mimi plays the accordion," or "Uncle Paul plays baseball." I use this on Thanksgiving Day because that is when every guests is present. Give each child a crayon with their BINGO card to use throughout the day. Ask them to check off the boxes when they find something out on the card. If you have pre-readers pair them up with an older child or adult. Everyone feels important. Adults get to share a story and the kiddos not only get a story to remember but check off a box. Five in a row means BINGO!

Thanksgiving Timelines

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/ Has Thanksgiving Timelines! just what a good planner needs.

In addition, I found Food Network will be answering a Thanksgiving recipe question each week for the month of November.

Turkey Treats

I use the whole month of November to get ready for Thanksgiving. There are so many things to do... planning the menu, planning kids' activities, planning adult activities, CLEANING! When I plan ahead I get everything done. So this month's blogs will be dedicated to giving you ideas to get ready for the holiday.

On that note, here is a kids' Thanksgiving dessert that is so easy and could be used as a place card holder for your Thanksgiving table. I have also brought these little turkeys into my children's classrooms for Grandparents Day before school closes for Thanksgiving Break. Not sure where I found this, but Sharon Ostrander submitted the idea to a magazine I picked up somewhere and tore it out from several years ago. You will need:

• chocolate star candies (turkey feet or base)
• caramel squares (turkey body)
• chocolate striped shortbread cookies (turkey feathers)
• candy corn (turkey beak)

1. Microwave caramel squares 2 at a time for no more than 10 seconds.
2. Place the caramel on top a chocolate star.
3. Turning the shortbread cookie so stripes go horizontally, stand it behind the caramel.
4. Place the candy corn on top of the caramel sticking out like a beak.

Cute little turkey, huh? When I use these for place card holders, I sit the name card atop the caramel turkey body to lean back to the cookie feathers. I assure you your guests will find their place quickly to get this snack!

Fall Centerpieces

Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. But before you start packing away (or throwing away) the pumpkins you had out for Halloween, here is a centerpiece idea to use for the month of November.

Start with a silver platter. You will probably be taking items like this out for Thanksgiving anyway. Polish them up now for your centerpiece. Next, place a low and wide silver bowl on top to center the platter. In the bowl place a flatter red-orange pumpkin/gourd. Use a couple of smaller white Cinderella pumpkins/gourds to fill up most of the remaining space. Bosch pears work nicely with this color scheme - one in the bowl and two on the silver tray. I like persimmons too. They look different! I never know what to do with them except centerpieces! Grab a few and some bright orange oranges or clementines. Find some with the green leaves or stems still attached. A couple of large brown leaves found on a neighborhood walk to finish off the bowl will definitely give an organic feel to the centerpiece. Arrange your gourd stems to point different directions too. Of course the fruits will be eaten but it's easy to replace them.

Centerpieces can be as free-form as you like, but keep the arrangement low. It shouldn't block any one's view of other's seated at the table.