Quick Place Card

Looking for a quick and easy place card?  All you need is ribbon, paper, hole puncher and a sweet-gum-tree spur.  How perfect is this for Thanksgiving!  Bring the outdoors to your table this Thanksgiving.

Photo via Martha Stewart

Kid-Enhancing for the Holidays

Why not get the kids their very own tree?  It could be a Halloween Tree, Christmas or Hanukah tree.  This is so simple and fun.  This could be a great place to display all the ornaments they have made throughout the years.  Buy a table top sized tree to add a little festive fun to their bedroom or playroom.

photo via marthastewart.com

Chic Thanksgiving Dinner

Now that Halloween has come and gone, it's time to start conceptualizing Thankgiving dinner and the parties to be attended.  Here is some chic inspiration for you.  Look at all the details in this inspiration board from The Party Dress.  Simply fabulous!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

So many of you eagerly wait for Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte to show up on the fall menu.  These are simply little cups of goodness and Yarah Designs is here to tell you how you can make them at home and year-round.  Here is the perfect recipe from The Kitchen

You can change the sugar and fat content of this recipe quite easily.

Pumpkin Spice Latte
makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin OR 1 teaspoon of Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup (your choice)
• 2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute - you can halve this amount
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee if you don't have an espresso machine.)

Directions:

In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy. If you don't have a blender, don't worry about it - just whisk the mixture really well with a wire whisk.

Pour into a large mug or two mugs. Add the espresso on top.

Optional: Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

Thanksgiving Party Tips

Thanksgiving can often feel like a chore for the host.  Here are a few savvy strategies that require minor effort. 

Do a kids table to accomodate the younger guests.  Cover the children's dining surface with kraft paper and set out pots of crayons.  This gives the children activites and is a cinch to clean up. 

Send your guests home with leftovers that look fabulous.  These takeout boxes can be found at Mr Take Out Bags.   Please out ribbon, labels and scissors for your guests to make their own, tie and label. 

Look at this elegant cluster of pincones.  All you need is silk ribbon, a hot glue gun and scissors.  Hot glue gun the pincoes to the ribbon, allow to dry then stagger then so the cones fall at varying lengths then tie the ribbon ends together in a knot and trim the tips to be uniform. 

Include your guests! Ask each person to bring their favorite Thanksgiving side dish along with a few copies of the recipe.  It gets everyone mingling and gives you some recipes for the following year as well.

Looking for an easy centerpiece?  Check out this DIY centerpiece using indian corn and a large candle from Eddie Ross

Remember, Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks.  Enjoy this time with friends and family.  Happy Holidays!