by BlondieWrites on November 17, 2009
Turkeys are a well-known symbol of Thanksgiving. They’re a favorite subject of crafters who want to make Thanksgiving centerpieces and other decorations. And for kids, turkey projects provide a great opportunity to discuss the tradition of Thanksgiving.
This paper plate turkey is a craft that kids of all ages can do. Here’s how to make it.
What You Need
* Paper plate
* Brown crayon, colored pencil, marker or paint
* Construction paper in brown, red, orange and yellow
* White craft glue or glue stick
* Scissors
* Pencil
* Googly eyes
Instructions
1. Use the brown crayon, colored pencil, marker or paint to color bottom side of the plate brown. If using paint, let dry.
2. Draw an elongated oval or peanut shape on a piece of brown construction paper to make the turkey’s head and neck. Cut out and glue onto the center of the plate, with the top hanging over the edge.
3. Cut a triangle out of the yellow or orange construction paper for the beak, and a teardrop shape out of the red construction paper for the waddle. Cut legs and feet out of orange or yellow construction paper. Glue into place.
4. Glue on the googly eyes. Let dry.
5. Draw a feather shape on a piece of red, yellow or orange construction paper. Cut it out, and trace it onto construction paper in each of those three colors several times. Cut out all of the feathers you traced.
6. Turn the plate over and glue the feathers around the top and sides of the plate, placing the bottoms of them about an inch from the edge. Let dry.
Tips
* If you prefer, you could use craft feathers instead of cutting them out of construction paper. If you do, keep in mind that they will stick better with craft glue than they will with a glue stick.
* If you don’t have any googly eyes, cut some eyes out of white construction paper or card stock and draw black dots in the centers.
* No paper plates handy? Just cut a large circle out of brown construction paper for the body.
* You can convert this craft to make a peacock for a non-seasonal project. Just make the head and body blue instead of brown, omit the waddle, and use brightly colored feathers. For the spots on the feathers, kids can dip their thumbs in finger paint and stick them in random places.
* Stick a magnet on the back of your completed turkey and hang it on the refrigerator, tack it to the front door, or use string to hang it from the ceiling.
by BlondieWrites on November 17, 2009
Thanksgiving is a holiday that’s best spent with family. For some of us, our extended families are just a stone’s throw away. For others, they’re across the state or across the country. If we want to see them during our short time off of work, we have to fly.
Flying during the holiday season can be an expensive proposition. And if you don’t plan your trip until the last minute, it can be difficult to even get a seat. But if you know a few tricks, there are spectacular deals to be had.
One thing that many travelers don’t think of is changing their dates of departure. This can make a huge difference in your fares. The day before Thanksgiving tends to be the most popular day for departure, so leaving two days ahead of time could possibly save you money. And if you’re willing to catch a flight on Thanksgiving Day, you could save big bucks since there won’t be many people flying. Fly back on the following Monday or Tuesday, and you could also save money on your return trip.
Another way you could save is by flying to a different airport. You’ll have to travel further by car to get to your destination, but if you can save enough money on your flight, it will be well worth the trouble. Just plan to land a little earlier than you would have at the closest airport, and you’ll still get to spend plenty of time with the family.
If you’re planning your trip just a week or two in advance, you could find a great deal through an online booking engine such as Lastminute.com. They help airlines book seats that would otherwise be empty, so they usually come at a significant discount. The biggest drawback is that you can’t be certain that you will be able to get a flight to where you want to go, but if you’re flexible there’s usually some way that you can make it to your destination.
The cost of the ticket itself can vary significantly, but it’s also important to consider fees. There are usually more fees charged when you buy through a third party than when you purchase your ticket directly from the airline. So make sure to read the fine print before completing a transaction online or through a travel agent. You’ll also have to pay an additional fee if you check a second bag in most cases, and that fee can be rather hefty.
Air travel during the holidays has a reputation for being expensive. But there are some ways you can save money. Keep these pointers in mind, and you could get a flight at a fraction of its normal cost!
by BlondieWrites on November 17, 2009
Look in any home and garden publication a month or two before Thanksgiving, and you’ll see all sorts of elaborate table arrangements. Professional decorators go all out to create a veritable masterpiece. And if you check the prices on the items they use, you’ll often find that they spend several hundred (and often several thousand) dollars to get the table to look so nice.
How can the average person compete with that? Usually, we can’t. But we can make our Thanksgiving tables look great without paying an arm and a leg. Inexpensive items from the local discount store and things found in nature can be combined to create an elegant yet inexpensive frugal Thanksgiving table. Here are some pointers.
Linens
Tablecloths and napkins can be prohibitively expensive. But if you’re only using them on special occasions, you can get away with cheaper options. Dollar stores often carry lovely tablecloths at a fraction of the price you would pay at a high-end department store. They might not last as long as more expensive ones, but if cared for properly they will stay in good shape for several years.
You can find inexpensive cloth napkins at some dollar stores as well. Or you could check outlet stores for discontinued or slightly blemished napkins. You can often find deals on tablecloths there, too. If you’re good at sewing, you could even make your own co-ordinating tablecloth and napkins.
Centerpieces
A pretty centerpiece adds a nice touch to any table. For a frugal Thanksgiving, you can make one at very little cost with things found in nature. Mini pumpkins, squash and other fall veggies can be arranged with some nuts to make a yummy centerpiece. If you want, you could find an inexpensive cornucopia at your local craft store and put these items in it.
Fall flowers also make wonderful centerpieces. If you grow your own, simply pick some in various colors and arrange them in a vase. You’ll have a beautiful, fragrant centerpiece at no cost whatsoever.
Of course, there probably won’t be a whole lot of room on the table for a centerpiece by the time you put all of the food on it. If space is a concern, taper candles are a simple yet elegant alternative. You can find candleholders at discount stores at very reasonable prices. You could place some leaves or gourds around them if you want to do something a bit more elaborate without taking up too much room.
A beautiful Thanksgiving table isn’t necessary for enjoying all of that delicious food. But it certainly adds a nice touch to the holiday and lets your guests know that you value their company. With a little imagination, you can decorate the table and still have plenty of money to spend on dinner.
by BlondieWrites on November 17, 2009
When most of us think of Thanksgiving, we think of a big dinner with the family. Some of us cook that all day, create beautiful centerpieces for the table and deck our homes out in fall colors. Others bring a drink or a dish and join someone else in the family for dinner. Either way, we enjoy one another’s company and take advantage of the long weekend.
Family and food are certainly important parts of the Thanksgiving holiday. But there is more to Thanksgiving than that. The first Thanksgiving was all about giving thanks for the bountiful harvest, as well as for the other good things that we often take for granted. But that part is often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of putting together an event for the family.
If you want to put the “thanks” back in Thanksgiving, a little creativity can help. Starting a Thanksgiving journal is a great way to get everyone thinking about the many things they have to be grateful for. Such an occasion calls for an extra special hand-decorated journal. You can make one in a snap with a few scrapbooking supplies, and the kids can even help, making it a family effort. Here’s how to make your own Thanksgiving journal.
What You Need
* Composition journal
* Scrapbooking paper
* Glue stick
* Scissors
* Embellishments (ribbons, stickers, die cuts, etc.)
Instructions
1. Use the glue stick to apply a uniform coat of glue on the front cover of the journal. Do not put any glue on the spine, but make sure to get it all the way to each edge of the cover itself.
2. Place a piece of scrapbooking paper on top of the journal, up against the spine. Press down firmly and smooth so that there are no bubbles.
3. Open the cover of the journal, and cut the scrapbooking paper even with it.
4. Do the same thing with the back cover of the journal. You could use the same paper as you used on the front, or a co-ordinating solid color.
5. Add ribbon, stickers, die cuts or any other embellishments you like to the front cover of the journal. Let glue set well before using.
Now that you have a beautiful Thanksgiving journal, it’s time to put it to good use. When your guests arrive, or after dinner, ask each one of them to write down some things that they’re thankful for. You could also encourage them to share memories of past Thanksgivings if you like. Make sure they put their name at the top or bottom of the page. This will give you a keepsake to treasure for years to come.
by BlondieWrites on October 23, 2009
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner each year can be physically and financially draining. To give everyone a chance to enjoy the get together, why not break from tradition. Having a potluck thanksgiving dinner can save you money if you’ve been the one doing the lion’s share of the work each year.
Rather than having one family being totally responsible for the meal, it makes sense to ask everyone to chip in – especially if you have many families getting together each year. The hosting family can be responsible for the turkey and the paper goods. A second family can plan to bring another meat, another can be in charge of potato dishes, another noodle dishes; hand off relish trays to another family, desserts to a couple of families, and everyone can bring a drink to share. Oh, and don’t forget dinner rolls! You get the idea; you have each family be responsible for bringing something so one family isn’t supplying everything.
You may think using paper goods is a waste of money, but think about it a minute. If a huge crowd is at your home and you don’t have enough dishes for everyone, that means you’ll either have to borrow, rent, or buy them. A stack of good quality disposable plates are cheap compared to the prospect of buying enough dishes for the whole crew!
Another benefit of using disposables is that clean-up will be much easier. Instead of having a couple miss out on visiting with others because they’re washing all the dishes, they’ll be able to put lids on things, clean up any spills, and then toss the rest. How easy is that?
Having other families chip in on the food also means that one family won’t have to bear the brunt of the cost. Instead of one family spending an entire paycheck for food to feed a whole bunch, the cost can be spread out among many families. In the long run, each family will end up spending less.
Plan your menu well in advance and let each family choose what they’re bringing. If you’re hosting the party, you may want to have some extra, easy-to-fix dishes available just in case one family can’t make it.
When planning your own part of the meal, begin purchasing items you’ll need several weeks before the holiday. This will enable you to buy things a little at a time, use coupons to save the most money, and provide enough time to ensure you have everything. Many grocery stores offer coupons for free turkeys when you spend a certain amount of money in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Planning early means there’s no need for an emergency trip to the store to buy something you forgot.
Having a potluck Thanksgiving dinner can save you money, there’s no denying that. However, if you’ve never had one it might be an unusual thought for some. Discuss it early enough for everyone to feel comfortable with it. You may find, after giving it a try, that everyone is glad to be able to help provide something for the meal.
by BlondieWrites on September 20, 2009
Beginning to save for the winter holidays early is realistic and sensible. Maybe you don’t want to think about all the holiday hassle too far ahead, but the holidays will be a lot less of a hassle if you start saving for them now.
Expenses abound from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, and being prepared will help you relax and enjoy the friends, food, and family that accompany the holiday season. Beginning to save now gives you five months to accumulate sufficient funds to cover anticipated and unexpected expenses. Think of it this way: it’s better to spend five months saving than five months paying off credit card bills with high interest rates.
What, exactly, is so expensive about the holidays? Why does it take five months to save up for them? Here are some potential expenses associated with the holiday season you may not have considered.
Travel
With gasoline prices ever-changing, it’s good to prepare for the most expensive scenario and save accordingly. Your car may need repairs, too, and if you get those taken care of in the slower summer months it will be one less expense to deal with during the busy holiday season. If you’re traveling by air, saving money for air fare and booking flights well ahead gives you time to look for good deals. The same is true for hotel reservations.
Hosting
It’s easy to underestimate the cost of hosting a holiday party, or having overnight guests. Food, party decorations, favors, etc. all need to be considered. Also, your house guests will use more utilities such as electricity and water. And let’s not forget the cost of that attractive party outfit you’ll be wearing!
Food
The holidays are a time when special food is served, from elegant chocolates to shrimp cocktail to turkey. These are all expensive items that tend to increase in price around the holidays. Saving in the summer, when food costs tend to be lower, will pay off when the holidays roll around.
Gifts
You’ve probably thought of gifts already, but do you have a specific amount in mind that you can spend? Have you considered actually buying Christmas gifts in the summer? Determine your gift budget and start saving, and once you have made your gift list (and checked it twice), you can keep an eye out for summer sales and the “perfect” gift. If you wait until the holiday season is underway before buying, there’s always the risk that the gift you want will be out of stock, and the crowds of holiday shoppers can be daunting. Starting early also helps you avoid the last-minute panic that may cause you to buy a less-than-ideal gift that costs more than you can afford.
Accessories
The little things can really add up – cards, postage stamps, batteries, wrapping paper, decorations, etc. Remember how much last year’s Christmas tree cost? It will probably be just as much if not more this year!
The holiday season is a wonderful time of sharing good food, traditions, and building new memories. Begin your holiday saving now and when it comes time to get into your new outfit, prepare a turkey dinner, or give your friends meaningful gifts, you will be able to enjoy the festivities without the stress of figuring out how to pay for it all.
