Thanksgiving Crafts

If tracing your hand and turning it into a turkey is your only experience making Thanksgiving crafts, you’ll be happy to know they have evolved since you were in kindergarten. We have a variety of Thanksgiving crafts for you to make, all centered on the harvest and giving thanks. Start with an invite, then make place holders once you know who’s coming for dinner. A menu at everyone’s place could be considered over the top, but hey, it’s the holidays. And Thanksgiving crafts are not limited to paper, scissors and glue: Our idea for a special butter can easily be considered a craft, and it’s so yummy.

Harvest Invitation

Sending a handmade invite practically shouts, This year it’s gonna be a great Thanksgiving! Download the pattern here.

What you need:

• Harvest Invitation pattern
• Various papers
• Twine
• Brass fasteners
• Glue

Make it

1. Trace patterns for leaf and acorn pieces on papers and cut out.
2. Print invitation info on labels and glue to cutouts.
3. Attach acorn to larger leaf with twine and brass fastener.
4. Make an envelope and decorate with smaller leaf and letters, if desired.
5. Place entire invitation in larger envelope to mail.

Always supervise and assist young children when they are working with scissors or small pieces of craft materials.

Harvest Place Card Napkin Rings

This harvest-themed place card, which does double duty as a napkin ring, is a cinch to make. The hard part is figuring out your seating plan.

What you need:

• Alphabet stamps or markers
• Key tags
• Wheat or another grain
• Twine

Make it

1. Using stamps or markers, put names on key tags.
2. Tie key tag and wheat around napkin with twine.

Always supervise and assist young children when they are working with scissors or small pieces of craft materials.

Herby Menu

A menu at everyone’s place is a nice touch, and it doesn’t have to be formal. Decorating with one of the herbs from a recipe ties the craft to the meal.

What you need:

• Cardstock
• Sealing wax
• Sealing stamp
• Fresh herbs

Make it

1. Print menu on cardstock by hand or with a printer.
2. Use sealing wax and stamp to attach herbs.

Always supervise and assist young children when they are working with scissors or small pieces of craft materials.

Sweet Butter

How cute (and sweet) is this? Choose either honey or maple syrup for your butter, depending on which goes better with the rest of your holiday dinner. Either will be delicious on any bread you serve.

What you need:

• Butter or margarine, softened
• Leaf cookie cutter
• Maple syrup or honey

Make it

1. Press softened butter into cookie cutter, filling completely.
2. Refrigerate until firm, then push butter onto plate.
3. Wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
4. To serve, place butter on plate and drizzle with maple syrup or honey.

Always supervise and assist young children when they are working with scissors or small pieces of craft materials.

Garland Of Thanks

Sharing what everyone is thankful for is a holiday tradition, but here’s a twist. Put the date on your garland, save it and you’ll have a window into the past when you bring it out every year. Download the pattern here.

What you need:

• Leaf patterns
• Paper
• Hole punch
• String
• Makers

Make it

1. Print and cut out a variety of leaves.
2. Punch holes in leaves.
3. Color leaves and fill in what you are thankful for.
4. String leaves and use to decorate.

Always supervise and assist young children when they are working with scissors or small pieces of craft materials.