Thanksgiving Table
Thanksgiving Themed Entry Table
We'd like to thank our Relief Society Activity Committee for the enjoyable activity yesterday evening. The evening began with a table setting demonstration by Kristy, a dear friend of Trina Metcalf, who works at the Foothill Basket Loft. She had set a Christmas and Thanksgiving table, as well as a Thanksgiving themed entry table. Here are a few pointers:
1. If you see something you like in a magazine or catalogue, save it in a book for future ideas. Then you can shop sales to try to replicate the design.
2. Mix and match dishes, using items that you already have. Kristy likes to use mugs from her Grandmother and an eclectic mix of dishes, some from affordable places like Fred Meyer.
3. Repurpose existing items for display. You could use leaves or twigs from the back yard, or stack two wreaths to make a more unusual center piece. A favorite trick is taking a large glass jar, filling it with sugar (on a slight slope) and then creating winter scenes in the sugar. Rice (from food storage) could also be used. The reindeer linen in the center of the Christmas table setting was formally a tree skirt--Be creative!
4. Make your meals personal by having little, inexpensive take-homes at each place setting. She also suggested using these special meals as a time to share family stories and traditions. Christmas hard, ribbon candies remind Kristy of her grandmother's home in Pleasant Grove, so she uses those as a conversation starter to family history.
5. Group collections of decorations for more impact, rather than spreading out decorations. For example, group sets of Santa's or Nutcrackers in a hutch or on a table.
Kristy and Janice
LuAnne Reese and Chantelle Brown were also asked to share some ideas for family traditions. LuAnne and her family like to do a family run every Thanksgiving. Each family member wears matching t-shirts made for the event, or dresses up in crazy costumes and make-up when the economy is tight. She also shared her family calendars, made with collages of family pictures. One sister suggested using pictures of family members on the page of the month of their birthday.
Lisa and LuAnne
Chantelle shared her Thanksgiving jar idea, where family members are asked to say something they are thankful for about family members. Then, at Thanksgiving dinner, the jar is passed around, everyone draws out a thought to read and share. Her family also has a really fun tradition of extended family desert night, where cousins and family members gather and create a family tablecloth. Poster boards are laid over the table, then a white tablecloth and colored sharpy markers are provided for members to write on the tablecloth. The next year the tablecloth can be read by family members as a reminder of things that happened in their lives the year before. What great ideas!
Joyce, Bonnie and Chris
Chantelle showing her tablecloth
Shelley, Kathy, Jennett and Joyce
Caramel Apple Bar
The Finished Product--My 'Giving Thanks' banner
After the presentation, there was a caramel apple bar, complete with hot fudge, caramel and lots of toppings for desert and the opportunity to create "Give Thanks" banners. We'd like to thank Suzy Smart for all of her preparation and time in putting together the craft project. They turned out beautifully.
Katherine Peters and daughters
Kay, Coralee and Martha
Lisa King and Char Riggs
We also had the opportunity to thank Debi Frandsen and Trina Metcalf for all of their work in behalf of the Relief Society sisters. Debi has been called to be the Young Women's President, and Trina Metcalf will be the Young Women Secretary. We will really miss them in Relief Society, but know that the young women of this ward are in for a special treat with such great leaders.
Trina Metcalf and Debi Frandsen
Jody, Debi, Suzy, Lesa and Trina
Stacey, Debi, Lesa and Suzy
Eliza and Lisa Groneman
Thank you, thank you for such a fun evening and for all of you that came to support it!
