I’ve always let my children help with the Thanksgiving cooking and table setting. I think that doing so makes it more of a family holiday than a “look at the beautiful table and dinner Mom managed to pull off” day. I won’t claim that our holiday tables would win awards from decorators, but that’s okay.
One year when the twins were almost three, they took black olives from a relish tray and piled them into pyramids, right on the table cloth while I was in the kitchen. I’m pretty sure that we had some Tonka trucks on the side table that year too.
We don’t usually use napkin rings, but they are fun for Thanksgiving. There are several easy ways that young children can make napkin rings. Take a toilet paper or paper towel tube and cut it into one to two inch rings. (That’s a job for an adult). The kids can paint the tube circles, or leave them plain. From there you can glue on pressed flowers, pretty papers, feather, tiny beads, seeds or beans. It’s a great way to use some things from your project box. You can spell out names or make pretty designs with glue, then cover the glue with glitter, colored sand, or spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cumin. Easiest of all would be to cover the tube with stickers.
Another easy napkin ring can be made from bead wire or memory wire and beads. Memory wire comes in a circle and “remembers” its circle shape. An adult or older child with experience can cut the wire so that it fits around a napkin. Place the beads on the wire and bend the ends so that the beads don’t fall off. An easier version of this can be done with a pipe cleaner and large beads. Adults should supervise children with beads, and you shouldn’t of course have beans or beads around children who might swallow them or decide to put them up their nose.
Have fun letting your children help with the table, and know that you are creating great memories.
Also See:
Holiday Crafts: Decorative Items for the Table
More Thanksgiving Table Decorations
The Toymaker – online printable toys and gifts