It seems like Thanksgiving gets passed over more and more every year and the Christmas lights go up sooner every year. At times, it feels as though Thanksgiving has become nothing more than a fancy meal. This year I decided that I wanted to take it beyond the meal. So, here are just a few ideas to help create some special Thanksgiving memories for your family.

Sometimes, getting stuck at the kid’s table feels like an insult. This year try to spice it up with these fun custom dishes. Simply use clear glass plates (I purchased these at Walmart for $1.50). Use pattern paper and cut a circle to fill the center of the plate. Embellish it with stickers and other desired items. Spell each child’s name with alpha stickers. Place a thin layer of any craft glue on the bottom of the plate and press down on the circle you just created (this will wash off with hotwater).

A fun way to remember past family members is to play a photo game. Simply use old family photos as part of your decor. Such as, on a wine bottle, or small picture frames on the table. You could even hide photos in random places. Give each person a sheet of paper with numbers that correspond with the photos. See if they can fill out the correct names for the pictures.

I love this idea for placecards. Instead of just using name cards that don’t really have any other purpose than assigning seats, try these fun little tins. Each 3″ tin has each family member’s name on the front. Inside there are circle cards (one for each person at the dinner). The cards say “I am Thankful for ___________ Because.” Throughout the day you fill out each card and then place it in the person’s tin. At the end of the day you will have a box full of cards from each person in your family that tell you why they are thankful for you. It is a fun way to tell those around you how much appreciate them. Just click the “Download” image below to download the instructions and templates.

Kid’s Love crafts.  This year  have your little ones  make this adorable turkey crayon holder.  It makes adorable table table decorations and the kid’s will have a fun time making them.  Click the “download” image below to download the instructions and templates.  I recommend if the children are young to decopauge the bodies ahead of time and simply let them complete the faces and feathers.

Another fun idea, is to use “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein as a theme for your kid’s table.  The book is an amazing story about the relationship between a little boy and a tree.  Throughout the book the tree gives and gives to the little boy.  Even when the little boy isn’t very grateful, the tree still continues to give.  This is a great lesson to teach, that sometimes it feels better to give than recieve and that we each have something to give.  Have each one of the kids take the leaf from the tree with their name on it and write something on the back that they can give.  To download the instructions and leaf templates simply click the “download” image below.

Create This Thanksgiving Keepsake to pass down each year.  Take photographs and record your favorite memories.   Every year you can look back on past Thanksgiving Holidays and remember all of your friends and family and all that you are thankful for.  To download the instructions and page inserts simply click the “Download” image below.

A fun addition to the kid’s table is the one of a kind activity book.  It is filled with word searches, mazes, word scrambles, coloring pages, and pages to draw what you are thankful for.  To download this activity book simply click on the “download” image below.

I hope my crafting skills have improved (I made this spoon a long time ago) but I still love the idea behind it. “The Talking Spoon” is based upon the idea of the “Talking Stick”. Legend has it that only the one who holds the stick is allowed to speak. Create your own family “Talking Spoon”. At each meal, pass the spoon around the table. Only the one with the spoon can speak so they get all of the spotlight. This could be a really fun Thanksgiving tradition. As the spoon is passed, each person can share a special family memory. Make sure you record all of the wonderful conversation. I created this spoon by wraping the handle with molding clay that can be baked. After molding it around the handle, I used a toothpick to write our name and a few designs. I baked it in the oven according to the directions. When it was cool I painted it with off white paint and then antiqued it with brown paint.

I just wanted to add one more idea that I got from Agela Nord, another crafty chica who has a blog site called www.mommyoftwo247.blogspot.com. Her mother has a special tablecloth for all of the holidays. She has each child sign their name and then she embroiders it. Think about what an amazing keepsake this will be as the children grown and their handwriting changes and as spouses and grandchildren are added to the family. This is truly a wonderful idea!