Easy Ideas for Thanksgiving, Thanksgivukkah and a Photo Shoot!

Via Bunches and Bits for instructions

Only a few more days til Thanksgiving.  Our family Thanksgiving meal is always at my parent's cabin.    This year we are having a family photo shoot right after our meal.  It's quite a fete to plan a photo shoot with 47 people.  (yes, I have a very large immediate family.)  The photo shoot will be interesting with that many people and several who happen to be under the age of 5.  First of all, we had to decide what 47 people would wear.  If you are doing a photo shoot for a family of 6, it's ok for everyone to wear jeans and a white shirt, but when you put 47 people in a photo dressed that way it begins to look like a cult or corporate photo not a family.  My niece who is a professional photographer created a Pinterest board with outfit ideas.    It really helped to see various outfit options.  We decided to go with a palette of denim, navy, cream and warm neutrals.  Hopefully everyone got the memo.  I might give you a sneak peek(on instagram)  on Thanksgiving but first I have the task of getting our decorations and food organized for our meal.  Everyone is pitching in to prepare the meal.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving?  Are you cooking or visiting in someone else's home?

If you are having guests are you ready?  Have you planned your table?  If you are like me and do things last minute, hopefully, this post will save you a little time and give you a few ideas to expedite your decorations.   [click title to continue…]

  I looked around online and found some easy ideas for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and then thought of a few ways you could refashion some of these ideas for Thanksgivukkah.  

Let's talk Thanksgiving first!

Thymes Brandied Pumpkin and Chestnut Candle

This is my all time favorite candle to burn during Thanksgiving.  If you don't do anything else, make sure you choose a nice scented candle to burn.  Candles can really help set the mood when your guest enter.  If you are going to a guest in someone else's house for dinner, this makes a great hostess gift.  It's in a pretty box, just tie a pretty ribbon around it to dress it up.

Do you have a favorite candle you like to burn?  If so please share in the comments, I would like to know your favorites.  I'm always picking up a new candle.

Squirrel and nut Salt and Pepper Shaker set $32

This little squirrel & nut salt and pepper shaker would be a nice addition on your Thanksgiving table.  It would also make a nice hostess gift as well. 

Now for a few simple table ideas….

Don't we all have extra clear vases around?  If not, jars would work just as well. Gather  acorns and fill the vases/jars with them, then pop a flower in the middle of them or a candle. 

If using a flower, I would suggest putting it in a water tube.

Manzanita branches on the table with moss, greenery and candles makes a beautiful centerpiece with a huge wow factor.   Since Thanksgiving is so close, you might have a hard time finding these locally so think about substituting ivy topiaries or any other green plant available at the local garden center or floral department at your grocery store.  It would look nice to tuck small gourds, miniature pumpkins, nuts and fruits around the base as well.

Living Locurto

If you got stuck with the relish tray, here is a fun idea to cleverly display the veggies and savory items.

Beautiful table linens always make a table special

West Elm Twig Silverware $39 pl setting

Anyone who knows me, knows I love using my West Elm twig silverware this time of year.  It's currently on sale at West Elm for $39 a place setting.  Also available in the brass finish which was my first choice, but it was out of stock and it still is!

Pumpkin flowers from 1800 Flowers

It's not too late to order forms for standard delivery on Wednesday from 1800 Flowers

I thought this pumpkin was clever for $55.  I might try my hand at making this one.

Cornucopia $50

I've always been partial to a cornucopia at Thanksgiving.  This one would be nice to send to someone you want to remember during the holidays.

Fresh flowers are always nice!  Here are a couple more options from 1800 Flowers  which can be ordered in time for the Thanksgiving holidays.

 Let's Look at some Hanukkah Decorations

Martha Stewart Living

Here is a display of  Hanukkah presents and decorations in traditional blue,
 white and silver.   I like how they dipped the dreidels in blue and silver glitter.

Love these paper garlands from Bird's Party Blog

These pretty paper garlands would be fun hanging in a doorway or in a window. 

Click here for complete instructions.

Credit BHG

 I love the idea of making your own menorah, by wrapping little gifts for each day and placing a candle on top.  Not only do you have a pretty centerpiece, but you also get a little present to unwrap each day in celebration.

Thanksgivukkah

This year our Jewish friends get a double celebration with the first day of Hanukkah falling on Thanksgiving.   This hasn't happened since 1888 and won't happen again for 77,000 years, so this is a once in a lifetime celebration!  This deserves a little extra special thought!  If you celebrate Thanksgivukkah make sure you take lots of pictures!

I applaud 10 year old Asher Weintraub came up with an idea for a "Menurkey" for Thanksgivukkah.  A Menurkey is a menorah in the shape of a turkey and sold it on Kickstarter, the crowd sourcing fundraising.  It might be too late to order for this Thanksgivukkah, so I think it would be fun to go to the local craft store, buy some

plaster of paris and make this a craft project with your kids.  You could make your own

version of the Menurkey and carve the date and family name in the base with a pencil.

You might try using a turkey figurine as the base and apply the plaster to it to make it easier.

 I love the menurkey shown here with striped birthday candles from the grocery store.   What are you going to do if you are celebrating both?  Will your table be the traditional fall colors we associate with Thanksgiving or the blues and silvers of Hanukkah?    Here are my favorite online ideas that could work for Thanksgivukkah with a little tweaking.

Via Better Homes and Gardens

I love the simplicity of this table setting.  Simple and elegant is always right.

To make this idea Thanksgivukkah, I would simply add some miniature pumpkins,

leaves and nuts around the menorah.  Michael Aram menorah info below.

Via Martha Stewart Living

This table is a bit dressier so I would most likely use pumpkins spray

painted silver on this table to complete the look.  This looks like a homemade menorah but a similar menorah is available from West Elm see later in the post.

 Again, just toss a few random pumpkins on the table.  You can keep the color palette as shown, by adding pumpkins in white or silver or add a pop of color using the pumpkins au natural.

This Hannukkah twig tree could become a Thanksgivukkah tree with the addition of pretty leaf shaped gift tags(could easily make your own) which could serve be tied around the napkin as a napkin ring with the guest's name on one side for a place card.  After seating the tag could be removed and the guest could write something they are thankful for and hang on  the tree.  After the celebration these could be saved in a book as a keepsake.

If I were decorating for Thanksgivukkah,  Here are some tables I would consider using as an example.  All you would need to do is  throw in a few pumpkins, dreidels, and a few silver stars.. 

Via Stone Gable

Designed by Eddie Ross

June bug Weddings

Via JuneBug Weddings

Via J and G Designs

This fun table by J and G Designs could be the perfect updated look for your Thanksgivukkah table.  Note: just add pumpkins and dreidels! 

Here are a few of my favorite menorahs.  Most can still at your house by Wednesday if you pay extra shipping.

Michael Aram's Olive Branch menorah

Silver Manznita menorah from West Elm $99

Via Wisteria

I love this modern crystal menorah from Wisteria Home which has just been reduced from $129 to only $32.25!  The ornaments shown on the twigs are all on sale too.  Check those out here!  Those blue square votive holders are only $9.75 for the pair!  The Star of David larger pillars are only $7.25 for a pair! Order quickly!

West Elm Bird's nest menorah Sale $39

Via Hanukkahsale $63

Silver Crate and Barrel Classic Menorah $39.95

This silver menorah is a classic but it's updated with the cool tricolored candles which are also available from Crate and Barrel here 

Crate and Barrel Brass Menorah on sale for $14.99


This menorah is like a work of art and would make a statement on your table.  Menorah and candles available from Crate and Barrel

Here are a few other things available from Crate and Barrel to decorate your

 Hanukkah Table.  Click the link to view the complete collection. 

Via Pottery Barn

Love these Star of David plates, antique mirrored menorah and table linens from Pottery Barn.  The best part is they are currently all on sale!  Click here to see more!

 Whatever you decide just remember to…. 

or in my case….sweet potatoes!

I hope you find everything to make your family's holiday special!  

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Mor ideas on my Thanksgiving  pinterest board and instagram to get behind

 the scenes pics of our family holiday

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