Fun and Frugal Thanksgiving Decorations

This is a guest post by Jennifer from The Life and Times of the Lady Riposter, a Self-Confessed Foodie. She's a full-time MBA student living in Minneapolis, Minnesota writes a blog that focuses on food. and She has recipes for easy appetizers and entrees, as well as dessert and gift ideas. She is currently test-driving recipes for Christmas treats, so please stop by!
Let me get one thing straight – Martha Stewart I am not.
I wish I were sometimes, but I suffer from a severe lack of time and a limited budget.
I do, however, love to celebrate the holidays. Thanksgiving has always been an intimate affair at my parents’ house, usually just four or five people and more food than we could eat in a week, let alone one meal.
Even though I don’t have time to create intricate, expensive decorations, I still feel like you can make Martha Stewart proud on a limited budget, simply by combining nature with inexpensive extras. Get the kids involved as well!
Right now, at least up here in Minnesota, the leaves have turned colors and are falling from the trees. Collect some of these beautiful yellow, orange and red leaves and let them dry. Simply lay the leaves out down the table runner or on a white tablecloth to make your table colorful. You can also take a pretty glass bowl and fill it with pinecones and gorgeous leaves to make a pretty centerpiece.
This is the time of year to buy squash, gourds and pumpkins. They tend to go on sale after Halloween and you can cook with them after Thanksgiving. Fill a cornucopia with squash or pull out your trusty Sharpie and write names on them for cute placecards. You can also use miniature pumpkins to hold tea lights – simply cut off the stem and hollow out a space deep enough for a tea light to sit. Don’t leave them unattended while burning the tea light.
Candles make a beautiful addition to any table. Take an inexpensive pillar candle and tie a piece of wide, wire-edged ribbon around it. No need to tie a bow; tie a simple knot and cut the ends neatly. Cluster several together in the center of the table. How much easier can it be?
Wrap a napkin neatly around your silverware and tie with a piece of ribbon to make a colorful place setting.
Finally, we come to a childhood favorite – the pinecone turkey. Trace your child’s hand onto construction paper twice and cut them out. Overlap two hands and glue together. Glue the hands to a pinecone to serve as the turkey’s tail. Glue on a little triangle of orange paper for the beak, a few googly eyes and you’re done!

Thanks to:commonsensewithmoney