Thanksgiving Prep - A fun Table Runner the Kids Can Help Make!

It's so easy to get caught up in the busy pace of life and not take the time to really be thankful and show gratitude.

Thanksgiving is a day to slow down and enjoy great food and company.

Fall is a time to take stock in what we have and to appreciate it.  Seasons are fleeting and if we don't take the time now to be present in the moment and give thanks, the season will pass.  A new season will, of course, begin but we will never have this moment back again.  Time doesn't move backwards.

Being a parent is much like the changing of the seasons.  We can get caught up in big picture and the day to day and we don't always see the little moments for what they are until they have passed.

I can't tell you when I last rocked my babies to sleep.  There was not a defining moment.  One day life just changed and we have new bedtime routines.  The new ones are great and I still have a lot of snuggles but the rocking stage is gone.  We can't go back.  I now soak up every second reading books and snuggling because this too shall pass.
 

Fall in Iowa is short.  Already our leaves are gone and the dreary grey of winter is settling in.  Most of our leaves didn't even get a chance to turn before cold weather and snow took them down.  So, we create a bit of fall inside to soak it in a bit longer and make the season last.

I do the same thing with my kids.  I stay a little longer the night before each birthday just soaking them in because the next day' they will be a year older.  I have those little moments when a little voice in my head says, enjoy this.  You will want this back.  The same is true when it comes to celebrating holidays with them.

Holidays make an imprint.  They are big memories for a child.  Many of my own memories involve holidays.  I try to make them as special as possible for the kids.  I try to involve them as much as possible.  I hope by doing this, I am leaving them with that little bit extra in their hearts and memories.  That little piece that they will remember that will help them hold on to their childhood well into adulthood.

One of the ways I try to do this is setting the stage.    

Cozy fall leaves and bright colored pumpkins welcome you in from the front porch.

More fall leaves and pumpkins flood the mantle.  The cats lounging in front of the fire are constant.  As soon as it is on, they are camped out in front of it.    This is real life.

Actually, a pile of Lego and some doll clothes scattered on the floor would make it real life. I have a hard time believing I will miss stepping on Lego's.  They are like tiny landmines just waiting for a bare foot to find them.  Yikes!


Fall is all about being cozy.

How do the kids help?  This year they helped plan the menu, decorate and they are helping make the table runner.  I think they had a blast making it and I love how it turned out.  They will also have fun activities to do (more on the blog about this tomorrow.)  They will help cook and be part of all the festivities.

  

This hand print table runner is so easy and the customizability is endless. 

The big decision is what base you want for your runner.  My original Idea was to use a burlap table runner.  My only concern with burlap was that if I want to keep this runner to use again, the burlap can't be washed in the washing machine.  It requires spot cleaning.  With kids, spots are just a matter of time.   Ultimately, I decided I wanted to be able to toss it in the wash.  

Because of the washing issue, I decided to use a piece of yellow stripe ticking that I had left over from making some Fall slipcovers for the pillows on our couch.  This Fabric was purchased at Walmart.  I used a 3-yard length and then cut it down to 12 inches wide. I typical runner is between 12 and 14 inches wide. Alter the length based on your specific table length.  Don't forget to factor in the leaf to extend the table if you plan on using one.  

Some other options for a base fabric would be:

A table runner you already have that needs some spicing up 

Buy a new runner

You could make a tablecloth and not make a runner at all.

You could do napkins and use a solid color tablecloth.

The options are endless!

If you sew, just pick some durable fabric and whip one up.  ;) You'll notice I chose a fabric and cut the edges with pinking shears.  They will help it not fray so I didn't have to sew.  Yea! (If it starts to fry more than I like I can easily stitch the edges later.)

Check to see if you have a party consignment store near you.  They have a ton of choices for napkins and tablecloths and table runners.  We have one and it is truly awesome for a project like this.  They sell wedding leftovers and party bits from just about anything you could imagine and the prices are perfect! 

Other great options on a budget are:

Tuesday Morning

Home Goods

TJ Max

Consignment

Goodwill

Marketplace

Supplies

Fabric paint in your colors of choice.  (I used red orange and green from the bundle linked above)

A disposable bowl for each color 

One foam brush for each color (Your time is valuable.  Just toss them when your done.)

Dimensional slick fabric paint.  (I used dark brown.  This is so smooth and makes outlining easy.)

This gold was also really pretty and worked well as a liner. It didn't show well on my fabric but if your cloth is a lighter color it's a great option too. 

All you have to do is paint the child's hands with the foam brush.  Position the kiddos hand like a stamp.  Remind them not to move their fingers and let you pull the hand up.  Make sure to spread out the hand prints and turn them in different positions so they aren't all the same. Reapply paint after each stamp.  I worked with one kiddo at a time because this paint will stain clothes and any cloth is comes in contact with. Hands wash with soap and water.  I recommend having some printer paper for the hands you want to stamp off the edge.

(If you're not worried about washing your project you could easily use acrylic paint. )

I had each child do a few in each color but you could also assign a color to each kiddo if you wanted. 

Once you're done stamping you will want the paint to dry completely.  It only took a couple hours. 

Next, you'll take the dimensional paint and outline the hand.  It's a messy outline. Not perfect. You can add lines for the leaf veins or be more abstract like I was. 

Next let it dry again.  To set the fabric paint, iron the back side and/or toss it in a hot drier for 10 or 15 min.  This will help it not run when you wash it.  

Next, it's time to set the table! 

 

We tied a leaf with a piece of jute around each tablecloth.

 

When we bring out the food the centerpiece just lifts off and there is plenty of room.  There are paper leaves in the glass pumpkin in the middle of the centerpiece so everyone can write one thing they are thankful for and we will share a few at dinner.  The kids are in charge of making sure everyone fills one out. :)  Mama will be cooking.

 

I just love their little hands on the runner.  

 

Happy Pre-Thanksgiving all! 

How will you get messy and have a little fun this Thanksgiving? 

Don't forget to share and subscribe!  Thanks for reading.