Thanksgiving Traditions and Table Decor
Thanksgiving is such a special time for me! I have ALWYAs loved the holiday! Special moments gathered around the table giving thanks! Read on to see some of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions and a tablescape I created for the occasion. You’ll see a very special guest acme to join us!
Jessica Elle Photography
My parents came to the United States 40 years ago and their absolute favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. There was a family here who embraced them and took them in. Every thanksgiving growing up our families would celebrate the day together!
I’ve actually talked about them to you before! It’s Aunt Marty ( the person who taught me about canning! Read more on that HERE) Uncle Randy and Aunt Marty took my parents in and gave them their first Thanksgiving experience. Such special memories.
They live in West Virginia and we still try to see them at least every other year!
Jessica Elle Photography
THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS
I am so excited to experience this holiday with Ava this year! I want to teach her to be grateful always and hopefully have her pass that spirit on to others!
A few traditions our family has always done on thanksgiving!
Cook together. Gathering around the table is just a tiny part of the special day. Usually there is lots of time to socialize prior as you cook and make the delicious meal. I like to think of the day before and morning of as quality time together
Give thanks wall. I did this last year and want to do it again this year. Everyone writes down something they are thankful for on a Kraft leaf and we hand it up to see. This can be done throughout the month or just the day of. Either way it’s a great way to reflect ton things everyone is thankful for every time they walk by. I like to call it “ Leaves of Thanks” CLICK HERE for post.
Sing a song together at the dinner table on thanksgiving! This is my favorite! We started this tradition with Uncle Randy and Aunt Marty and I’ve loved it ever since! You sing one version of the song before the meal and one version after. I only have the words memorized to the Before version and I can’t find the after! I’ll look it up and then let you guys know!
This is sung to the tune of Edelweiss
Bless our friends,
Bless our food,
Come O Lord and sit with us.
May our talk glow with love
Send your grace to surround us.
Friendship and peace
May it bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever.
Bless our friends
Bless our food
Bless our family forever
Print the paper below so you can sing it together !
Jessica Elle Photography
SETTING THE TABLE
For my Thanksgiving table I went pretty simple! I used things I already had and added some natural elements to really make the table special! Mixed metals, lots of candlelight, and autumn leaves from our homestead pulled the look together!
I didn’t have a runner I loved so I used paper doilies down the center of the table. I love the texture they added.
I think what makes it feel extra special are the natural branches. Bringing the outdoors in is always a good idea! Branches, flowers, anything to give it that special touch! Even if they have wilted and are no longer a pretty fall color they still look so fun!
I also feel candlelight really does the trick most times. It’s just so beautiful.I have some antique brass ones which I love! But there’s a few others did not love so I painted them. I took some regular gold candlesticks from the thrift store and spray painted them in matte black. It instantly looks more elevated and beautiful! You can do this with basically anything! Just paint a different color and you’ll be amazed at the results.
I mixed and matched my chargers and you can even mix your flatware. It add’s to the beauty of it all!. Amber glass is of course beautiful for any fall tables cape and my #1 way to make a table feel set without putting too much effort is using real napkins! Makes a world of difference!
This is also the time to add any family heirlooms or passed down china, glassware, flatware, etc. My formal glasses belonged to Jared’s grandma and it’s nice to be able to use them for special occasions.
Jessica Elle Photography
No Thanksgiving is complete without a turkey! On our homestead it’s a little different than the normal though! We don’t eat turkey for dinner but we did welcome Tom into the house for some fun pictures! He was LOVING it! I gave him a TON of Grubblies and he was a happy camper. ( Click HERE to get some Grubblies for your flock)
Georgia was getting jealous so she had to pose for a picture too!
Jessica Elle Photography
Jessica Elle Photography
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Thank you for following along and I hope you loved this table! YAY! Sweet Ava is getting so big and she loved being a part and helping me! Her favorite was Tom of course!
If you’re looking for some great recipes for Thanksgiving check out my cook book HERE
Also, don’t forget my Leaves of Thanks wall you can create in your own home. See HERE
Thank you for following along and always being so supportive and AMAZING! Much love,
Annette
Images labeled Jessica Elle Photography are by the most amazing, talented, photographer! Check out her work HERE