A Lost Art? Decorating for Thanksgiving

Description: Easy do-it-yourself tips for decorating your home for the Thanksgiving holiday.

It's reminiscent of the remake of "The Grinch." As soon as Halloween is over, people rush to raid their basements and attics for Christmas decorations. Lights, garlands, swags and yard decorations make their way out of storage. Department stores play holiday music and advertise gift-giving specials.

Wait a minute! What happened to Thanksgiving? Is decorating for the country's first national holiday truly a tradition of bygone eras, or is there some hope yet? Take a moment and consider these festive touches that will make your Thanksgiving even more unforgettable, especially if you're the one cooking the turkey for a houseful of guests.

Begin by adding a few decorations to the porch or front entrance to your home. Guests will begin to catch the spirit before they even walk through the door. For example, purchase a ten foot length of raffia garland from a local craft store.

Tie ears of Indian corn at intervals along the length of garland, and form an arch over your doorway. Place several miniature pumpkins and gourds atop a small pile of corn husks next to the porch column or doorway.

Using the same motif of Indian corn, corn husks, raffia, and miniature fall vegetables, create a fall wreath and hang it proudly on your door. Set flowerpots filled with brilliantly colored chrysanthemums on guard at either side of your entranceway.

Decorate the table with a themed tablecloth, and add handmade placards to welcome your guests. Maple or pumpkin spice candles add an extra dimension to the festivity. Soft holiday music playing in the background can be very enjoyable - unless it's being drowned out by cheers for the favorite football team!

Encourage your guests to discuss the history of Thanksgiving by picking up a wicker cornucopia. Use gold spray paint to dress it up, and fill the horn with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables. Place it at the end of a sideboard or on a small table in the dining room. Don't be surprised, though, if no one wants an apple or orange after the scrumptious feast you've prepared!

Finally, capture everyone's admiration with the table centerpiece. Using several ears of Indian corn, separate the kernels and husks from the ears. Carefully roll the husks into flower shapes, and use kernels of corn for sunflower seeds or daisy centers.

Use your imagination, and invite your crafty friends to share in the fun. Use floral wire to create stems, and choose a turkey or Mayflower pot to hold your artwork. You'll soon design a flower garden for your table that no one will ever forget!

These are just a few of the ways you can ready your home for the memorable holiday traditions of turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Open your eyes - and your mind - to the endless decorating possibilities that await. Share ideas with your friends, and brainstorm about creative themes. It may be hard at first, but you'll soon get into the spirit of it. Neither you nor your family will be disappointed with the results!

This article was provided by the artists and designers who craft PebbleZ.com's line of unique home furnishings and was written by Joey Pebble, a stone artist and product designer.

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