When Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of Thanksgiving in 1863, the turkey feast itself was considered decoration enough for most family tables. If accessories were added, they consisted of fall fruits and vegetables that represented the bounty of the family’s own farm or garden. Since then, we have created our own special traditions and ways of celebrating this day of giving thanks, mixing the old with the new. Whether it’s tossing the football or watching the Macy’s Day Parade, it’s all about food, fun and blessings.
Designer Maureen Anders shares: “I love traditions of every type, especially Thanksgiving. Prep work begins weeks before Thanksgiving when we start putting up the autumn décor, and pumpkin-scented candles start burning. After a traditional Thanksgiving meal (always with some quirky new recipes mixed in), our family loves to spend time playing games and enjoying delicious desserts. We love drinking fabulous fall favorites such as warm, spiced cider.”
With so much to plan and organize, from your centerpiece and flowers, to the dinnerware and menu, Lillian Vernon presents our top stylish and personalized items to make your Thanksgiving table look extra special.
Whether you are hosting the holiday feast, or joining in as a guest, our Conversation-Starter Place Cards bring something fresh and unexpected to the table. Aside from designating who sits where, they each open to reveal one of nine Thanksgiving-inspired questions that prompt you to make the most of your annual gathering. Typical questions include: It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without….., and Tell us something you are thankful for about the person on your left. For more details, shop HERE
Design Tip from Maureen Anders: Showcase vintage fall signs, bunches of dried wheat, shutters with printed graphic silhouettes and post cards. I also love rustic candelabras and burlap pumpkins and acorns. Get creative with pumpkins and spray them gold or silver with mercury glass mixed in. You can watch Maureen’s tutorial on how to make burlap acorns for fall HERE
Get creative with your decor, using layers of fall colors and textures, and make it extra special for your family or guests with personalized place cards and Thanksgiving food signs. Click HERE to get their look!
Spread a message of gratitude this Thanksgiving by serving (or gifting) a favorite bottle of wine embellished with our exclusive Give Thanks Wine Labels designed just for us by Maureen Anders, $9.99 Shop all of our customized wine labels HERE Show ’em who’s top chef, with our NEW laser-engraved Paddle-Style Cutting Board made of American red alder in the USA. Engraved on edge up to 15 characters, $19.99 each
What is your family Thanksgiving Day tradition? If you’re looking for a new one, make a video and have everyone at the table talk about a favorite memory or blessing from the past year, as well as a wish for the upcoming year. Send a copy of the video to any family members who weren’t able to share the day, or upload the video to a photo-sharing site like Shutterfly. Next Thanksgiving, play the old video and make a new one.
Oldie but goodie: Break the turkey’s wishbone as part of your celebration. (The wishbone is found attached to the breast meat in the turkey’s chest.) After the meat has been removed and the wishbone has dried out, two people each take one end of the bone, make a wish, and pull. Whoever ends up with the larger part of the bone gets their wish!
Wishing you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving from Lillian Vernon!