Moore Minutes: ALL THINGS THANKSGIVING: menus, table settings, traditions, ideas for kids

*this is an updated re-post to keep MooreMinute's Thanksgiving Collection current

Happy Thanksgiving Time! I grabbed a bunch of Thanksgiving prep ideas and put them into one little-big post!

Tie your apron on,

work hard for a bit

(because it's good to work hard!) ;)

Live in beauty,

gather with family,

taste your blessings,

and appreciate our abundance.

Focusing on just a few details

creates unforgettable holidays,

wrapped with lots of love of course.

I put all the Thanksgiving ideas from my blog in one place...

THE MENUS

A collection of traditional Thanksgiving food, full of homemade goodness.

click here for the full menu

This menu is a healthy alternative for Thanksgiving!

click here for full menu

This is the speedy, quick, halfway homemade menu.

This menu is ideal for kids helping in the kitchen!

Full menu and details here

A Thanksgiving Leftover menu,

Smashed Turkey Dinner Paninis

DIY Tutorial here

THE KIDS

Don't forget the sweet little people with ideas here and here!
-placecards
- kid's centerpiece and place settings
- kid's crafts
- Mayflower Bread Boats
-Turkey cups
-and more!

Mayflower Bread Boats

Turkey Cups

Visit the library to check out special Thanksgiving books to read!

TRADITIONS

We are starting a Thankful book,
one we can continue to add to each year
until we have all the pages filled over the years.

THE TABLES

Setting the table for Thanksgiving is one of my favorite parts of this holiday! Ever since I could remember I've gone crazy decorating tables. I'm thankful that the world of blogging has helped me document them in photos now!

2009
This past table is lined with white pumpkins and muted tones to add peace and lots of texture for the colder months.

2010
This Thanksgiving table variation is accented with deep plum, the under-used color of fall. The mustard colored plates are lined with farmhouse chicken wire chargers for a cozy, homey warmth.

2011

This Thanksgiving table included all the earthy, natural colors of the fall season: burnt rust, creams, and shades of browns. I took a light plaid wool throw and used it as a table runner and then lined the table with wood dishes and wheat. Our cozy plaid and wood harvest table !

2012

Our Thanksgiving table last year was playful and kid-friendly because our entire family cooked the dinner together and set the table together. This table had a kraft paper table cloth to write fun notes about what we were thankful for that year.

2013

This year's bright and happy table!

I baked some yummy little pumpkin cream cheese squared muffins for Thanksgiving time treats this year too!

THE MEMORIES

A couple years ago, our family five took a short vacation to Gateway, Colorado, through Thanksgiving. It was truly, truly was one of our very favorite vacations we've ever done! It topped even the big fancy VACAs. The short Thanksgiving weekend we spent there was incredible. Even the boys list it on their top favorite lists!

You can read about our

Thanksgiving R & R by clikcing here.

2011 getaway

And, because we had such an incredible time making a getaway out of Thanksgiving holiday,

we did it last year too! Last year we visited Sorrel River Ranch in Moab, Utah.

UPDATE! We celebrated Thanksgiving 2013 in Gateway

ONCE AGAIN.

Do you ever gather up your family and take off to relax for the holidays? I'd love to hear where you go and how much you love it! :) We are doing it again this Thanksgiving! I'll be sharing details soon...

Enjoy this Thanksgiving IDEA collection!

I hope you celebrate

warmth,

grateful hearts,

and the minutes of gathering together.