pilGREEN thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm quick to move from the celebration of fall to the Christmas season. I partly attribute this to the fact that we are often guests at Thanksgiving and I'm not involved in the preparations for the day. I also deeply love Christmas carols and begin playing so on October 25.
This year is different though. We are hosting 10 very close friends for the holiday and I am thrilled to set out the dishes and fill our home with words of thanksgiving and blessings.
In a short few months of living and engaging our new city, I am beginning to roll with the green culture. Did you know San Francisco wants to have zero waste by the year 2020? With that being said, I emphasize the green in our name and the green in these easy Thanksgiving ideas.
As we recycle, I often set aside a bag of recycling items to drag out on a not-so-exciting day at home. One of the items is a paper towel roll. When cut up, they make great napkin rings.
Another idea is the classic woven placemats. The boys enjoy weaving cut strips of paper through the placemats. These will be used at the kid's table.
The boys took strips of construction paper and decorated the paper towel napkin rings.
These were made with love for the kid's table as well.
I borrowed this idea from Pottery Barn, but using my own trifle bowl, jute yarn, candle, and mixed nuts. I placed a candle in the middle and surrounded it with mixed nuts. I tied two strings of jute yarn around the outside. Next, I placed pictures of our close friends just inside the bowl pressed against the glass. It's our thankful bowl.
I discovered these gift tags in my craft bag and turned them into place cards/napkin rings. Simply tied with the same jute yarn, the card reads, "ben, give thanks."
And finally, as friends gather for Thanksgiving, we'll write down what we are thankful for this year and have them read aloud after our meal.
I'm so thankful for the place where we live, the friends that we have and the family love we receive from afar. I'm thankful for our 3 precious boys and the most selfless, generous husband in the world. I'm thankful for our church, Epic, and for God who loves me, has forgiven me and gives me purpose in life.