Thanksgiving Plans

"November now has come again, Thanksgiving day is nigh ... with turkey and plum pudding and delicious pumpkin pie ...

Our most beloved American holiday is nearly upon us ~ did you know that Thanksgiving is less than four weeks away? Yes, just four weeks! Though, really, that boils down to three weekends ... and if you're hosting a gathering, you probably know what I mean!

Have you thought about your holiday plans this year? Will your oven play host to the bird? Or will you be piling the kids (and the pies) in the car and making the annual trek to Grandma's? I would guess most of us do the same thing every year - tradition is such a big part of this day.

This year we will be hosting dinner at our house again, and we'll be blessed by the company of 20 relatives and friends! Some might say that's a lot - I say, the more the merrier! :)

I absolutely love Thanksgiving. I think I can say it is my favorite holiday of the year. As much as I love Christmas and Easter, Thanksgiving brings with it such peace and fulfillment - there are no presents to worry about, there is relatively low stress, and hardly any consumerism tied to it. No, for the most part Thanksgiving is all about family, food and, of course, giving thanks to our Lord for all He provides. All across America it is a day of joyful but quiet pause ~ a moment to reflect on our blessings ~ before the busy Christmas season begins.

I started making my assorted lists this afternoon - things to do, things to clean, things to bake, etc. But instead of writing my notes down here and there, I decided to make up a Thanksgiving planner. The winds were howling outside and the fireplace was crackling merrily away, so I popped in some Martha Stewart, and pulled out the scissors and tape.

At first I thought I might use a binder, but I have found them inconvenient to write in. If I'm going to be doing a lot of writing, I really like something that lies flat. And while a spiral-bound notebook fits the bill, its appearance is quite dull. So for fun I embellished a plain 3-subject Mead notebook with autumnal designs and inspiration:

It really didn't take much time, and for me, all the list making will be that much more fun because I have this nice little notebook to use.

Inside the front cover I made up a November calendar (to keep the timing in perspective). In the very back of the notebook I have paper clips for things I'd rather not tape in.

Whether you have the time, need or desire to make up a Thanksgiving notebook, I thought you might like to know what I'm putting inside. So far these are my lists:

• Guest list (including who's bringing what)
• Readying the house (room-by-room cleaning and decorating)
• To-do pages for weeks one, two, three and four
• Thanksgiving Day timetable
• Menu
• Marketing list
• Other shopping and errands list
• Setting up the bar
• Table settings (including linens, china, etc.)
• Centerpieces
• Favors
• Crafts with the children
• Thanksgiving book basket
• Music (to sing and to listen to)
• Grace
• Traditions and activities, including community service
• Recipes index (cookbook reference)
• Clothing and Grooming (hair cuts, etc.)

After my lists the rest of my notebook will be adorned with random notes and clippings from magazines (ideas, recipes etc.) As I have mentioned before I read a lot of magazines. Well, do you know I saved every November and December issue last year? I've had them in my closet and I just pulled them out. I've been looking through them and tearing out ideas to possibly use this year. Just as I do with my daily journal, I tape anything of interest right onto the page - and instead of a closet full of magazines, I have a notebook full of Thanksgiving ideas!

Here's a page spread to give you an idea.

My plan is to round out the notebook with pictures from our day and reflections. Then I'll retire the notebook till next year. Come next November, I will make up a new notebook, but look back at this one for reference and inspiration.

It's all a bit silly, I admit, and it probably seems like a lot of extra busy work to be diddling with when there are carpets to shampoo, windows to wash and linens to press. But I really enjoyed putting it all together - and it really got me in the Thanksgiving mood!

These next four weeks will fly by and before we know it we'll be preparing our hearts and our homes for Christmas. This time of year is so special, and I hope to focus on the simple grace and beauty of Thanksgiving ... Though while I was at it, I made up a notebook for Christmas, too:

This week we'll be hanging our paper chain countdown (brown and yellow strips till Thanksgiving, red and green till Christmas Day, white and gold till Epiphany). And of course we'll soon be filling our November book basket (which I'll post all about once we get it assembled).

So as October draws to a close, we cast our eyes on November and all the delights it brings - blustery weather, cozy hours at home, wonderful feast days - and perhaps the most beloved American feast day of them all - Thanksgiving Day itself.

What fun we have at Grandma's house, we laugh and romp and play ... we always have such happy times upon Thanksgiving Day! (from We Sing and Dance)

Comments

[Angel]

When we were out after church today, I picked up the Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Menu and Christmas Cookie issues like I do every year, and I thought, "I wonder how Dawn plans her Thanksgiving?" LOL And now I know! Thanks for this post. We won't have 20 people over, but we will have my inlaws for a few days. I was wondering if a holiday notebook might be the answer.

[Jenn Miller]

Thankfully, I don't need to worry about Thanksgiving at my house this year....we'll be at Nana's house (dh's mother). I only need to think of what desserts and foods to make safe for my son!

Dawn, how do you do it? When do you find the time to plan and organize and make it even look nice? And then do all these activities? The costume for Crackerjack, BTW, is sensational! I confess, I feel exhausted reading your posts...you do so much. I could never even begin to do a quarter of what you do!

[Dawn]

Oh, Jenn! I feel badly to think I exhaust you, LOL!

First of all, when it comes to Thanksgiving, I probably should have said loud and clear - I get LOTS of help! My mum cooks at least half of the dinner for me (she lives a mile from here) and helps me with *everything* - from cleaning to decorating, shopping etc. I could never do any of it without her help. Plus, lots of things are brought by family and friends. :)

And second - I didn't make Crackerjack's costume! I am no seamstress, believe me. ;) I think I ordered that through HearthSong or maybe Magic Cabin. It was Bookworm's five years ago!

A lot of what I post about are ideas - things I hope to do, things I think others might like to try, too. I certainly don't do it all! But I guess I figure if I think of it, and plan it out, then maybe I will do some of it, or part of it, or at least some version of it ... :)

Like this week, we have Halloween, All Saints and All Souls ... I have so many activities and ideas rattling around in my head - but I know we won't do it all. But I know we'll do a little something.

My aim is to at least mark the day in some small special way - a book, a prayer, a craft, a cup of tea. Something that creates a memory for my boys. And the rest I can hope to do next year!

:)

[Meredith]

Wow, you never cease to amaze me my dear!! What a lovely idea for organizing your plans for Thanksgiving. I love it and so simple!! You are way ahead of the game, thankfully for us slow turkeys, LOL!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts! Blessings.

[KatieButler]

I love the idea of a Thanksgiving planner! I don't know that I will have need of one anytime soon, as Thanksgiving is always hosted by my in-laws, but I'll definitely tuck this idea away for the future.

[Katherine in TX]

Dawn, this is just lovely. What a wonderful idea! We aren't hosting Thanksgiving this year, but I will be hosting Christmas. I think I'll begin a Christmas notebook. It will be such a relief to have all of my plans and ideas in one neat (and beautiful!) place.

[Jennifer]

As usual, we are on the same page. I do not have a nice notebook like you do, but I did manage to gather my thoughts in a post this weekend. I have been too intimidated to think about a Homekeeping notebook, but I might be able to gather a Thanksgiving journal of recipes. It would make a lovely gift one day for my daughter. I pretty much second everything Jenn said! You are amazing!

[Alice Gunther]

Another beautiful notebook. Thank you, Dawn! What an amazing holiday you will have.

[Cheryl]

I really like your notebook idea. I think I'll use it for seasonal ideas. Maybe 4 notebooks, one for each season? I don't know. I don't get any magazines right now, but Family Fun will be on its way soon. As for Thanksgiving, we are still house hopping. My parents, who are divorced, still like to cook on holidays, so we let them. My holiday organization could be a checklist of what we need to do to get out the house easily.

[damask-rose]

I'd love to know how you decorated the notebooks - if you have the time to tell us...

[Dawn]

>

Sure!

I first chose some pretty scrapbooking paper and cut it to fit the front cover, leaving just a border of color.

For the Thanksgiving notebook, I photocopied the turkey image from a book (Mrs. Sharp's Traditions, I believe) and placed two small golden doilies underneath. Everything was just taped down. (Glue would have been neater!)

For the Christmas notebook, instead of a picture from a book, I used a Victorian Christmas sticker. I mounted it on varying shades and sizes of cardstock.

And that was it! Next time I make one, I will use glue so it looks nicer. :)

Cheryl, btw, I LOVE your idea of a notebook for each month! Hmmm ... you've got me thinking now! :)

[Cheryl]

Dawn, I was thinking of the 4 seasons, but maybe months would be better...just like in Mrs. Sharp's Traditions. Every year there is the 4th of July, Apple picking, etc.

[Genevieve]

I just started my Christmas notebook and wanted to share what a blessing it has been! I'm almost done with my preparation and just need to assemble some things and wait for the season to roll in for the activities. I've always had a daily journal where everything was put in. Reflections and planning. Now I feel reassured that next year I won't have to reinvent the wheel! I love the seasonal idea too and would start work on my Winter notebook next month to be ready after Epiphany. Thank you so much Dawn!