Of all the holidays I think Thanksgiving is the best. Well maybe it just has the potential to bring out our best if we take the time to truly show our thankfulness. One way to do that? Individualize place mats for your Thanksgiving dinner table with a personal note! Let each of your guests and family members know just how grateful you are to have them in your life!
I’m thrilled to join with 10 other bloggers in a Thanksgiving blog hop hosted by Elizabeth Joan Designs. Thanks so much for having me ladies! I’m glad I get to share a project with purpose for the Thanksgiving season!
I’m having a great time creating these table place settings! Although, I admit I’m not much a holiday celebration kinda gal. But I love sharing a project with purpose! Giving thanks, showing gratefulness and love is the kind of decoration that is well worth the effort!
Plus there is the added value of teaching the kids where each dish and utensil belongs in a place setting! Take it, it’s a great teaching moment!
[left][pullquote width=”270″ float=”left”]Cover the outline + label with the actual dishes, and just before taking up the food have your guests pick up their plate to reveal the personal notes beneath![/pullquote][/left]
[right]You can choose to cover the outline + label with the actual dishes, and just before taking up the food have your guests pick up their plate to reveal the personal notes beneath! And of course you can still see the outline with the utensils and glasses atop which makes for a cute design! This is also a great solution if you are doing it buffet style.[/right]
Ready to start this project? Here are the basic supplies you will require. And if you have a decorative wrapping paper you want to use as well, it will make it all the more beautiful! I could not find the exact polka dot paper roll I purchased, but I found a beautiful alternate for you!
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STEPS:
Either use paper and plastic goods to trace, or have a clorox wipe handy after each trace to immediately wipe off the marker, then put your dish to wash like normal.
I love that the brown paper acts to protect my white tablecloth and can be thrown away after. In case you were wondering where I found the polka dot brown wrapping paper, I believe I found it either Home Goods or TJ Maxx… I can’t remember. I’m a wrapping paper hoarder (and I don’t even wrap gifts!) for all manner of projects.
Instead of running the paper down the length of the table (like a runner), I ran two strips across the width of the table and created a place setting at each end. [tooltip text=”You can cut your craft paper to the width desired and make multiple runners if you have many guests, or consider cutting out actual place mat size!”]TIP[/tooltip]
If you have kids, get them involved. What kid doesn’t love a crafty project? And what Grandparent wouldn’t love to see their grandchild’s handwritten note under their plate?
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Often we get caught up in the celebration of the holidays and miss the point. As much as we love decorating for our guests, preparing a large feast (of which we I plan to over-indulge), and the fun of the gathering… Sometimes we overlook the opportunity to say a little something from the heart. Don’t do that this year…let them know, even if it is only a whisper in the ear. 😉
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[right][pullquote width=”270″ float=”left”]Sometimes we overlook the opportunity to say a little something from the heart. Don’t do that this year…let them know, even if it is only a whisper in the ear.[/pullquote][/right]
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This is a great idea – so nice to show those coming to dinner what you love about them and why you are grateful for them in your life. Love that it’s quick, easy and adds character to the table Thanks!
I LOVE this idea!!! What a lovely way to make your guests feel special and loved 🙂
Thank you Emily! That’s the hope! 😉
Love this! So clever. Loving those napkin rings, as well… 🙂
Thanks Lory!
This is such a great idea and I love it. I love little personal notes & this is such a great way to add that to your day!!
Thank you Lynn! I think it is really important that the festivities of the holiday have meaning and purpose! It’s just one more little way to tell those we love just how grateful we are for them.
Wow! This is such a unique and special idea. I loved seeing your process in action!
Oh thank you dear! I hope it will inspire people to find meaning in their decor! 😉
I love this idea, especial your little animated image. Thanks for taking the time to make it beautiful.
Aw, thank you Bettina! Yeah, I’m a sucker for fun functions… 😉 Thanks for popping over girly!
I already commented but wanted to come back and ask if you would link this to my Friday Favorites- party goes live tomorrow evening! laura
Aw, thank you for asking Laura, I will be sure to do that! 😉
I LOVE this idea! Unfortunately, our turkey day is too big to have place settings but I would love to figure out a way to incorporate this idea into our buffet party style!
Thank you! Ah, yep, I’ve had a couple holidays like that! 😀
such a fun setting, ursula!
Thanks Cassie! 😉
LOVE this idea, Ursula!!!! This is clever, thoughtful, meaningful, and very creative. Can’t wait to try it. 🙂
Aw, thanks Lindsay! Wow, I was just about to pop over to your blog for a recipe to satisfy my sweet tooth! Haha! 😉
Gosh I love this! Especially the gif! So cool
Thank you Julia! I’m totally having a great time learning to create gif’s!
What a beautiful idea!!! I seriously love this. Such a great way to show your gratitude for each special guest! And it’s so personal. And that polka dot paper is perfect! 🙂
Aw thanks! I’m a big fan of polka dot these days too! lol!
This is such a sweet idea! I adore the video.
Thank you so much Mary!
I love writing on craft paper for table settings! Loved your video, too.
Thank you dear! Can you believe that wasn’t a video? It is a gif of all the pictures I took as I was doing it. Sneaky right? 😀
Ursula, these place settings are absolutely adorable! Such a sweet idea. Love the polka dot paper!
Thank you Emily! And thank you for letting me join in the blog hop!