Turkey, Gravy, and No Covid Craziness: How to Have a Happy Thanksgiving 2022!
by Stefanie Michaels
What an odd time coming out of Covid, right? We’re unsure what is what and, with the holidays coming up, what we should do to celebrate.
That’s why we kept it small for Thanksgiving and ensured that whoever comes for turkey and all of the fixings has been safe and tested negative.
I’m into making the table look stylish. So, this year, I went with a non-traditional Fall and renewal theme using vintage and recycled items.
On the table is a runner of grey and cream— a modified checker pattern that is warm and earthy. I opted for the warmth of copper flatware and chose the same for glassware, as well as utilizing my Mom’s vintage copper Jello molds for my floral centerpieces.
I chose sage green for the water glasses and linen napkins for the accent color, adding a complementary soothing color. The flowers were mixed hues of oranges, rusts, and pops of violet in the three arrangements.
I handmade each napkin holder with recycled cards and raffia ties and reflected our guest’s nationality, with “Thanksgiving” in their familial language. It made for the perfect icebreaker for my friends who didn’t know each other.
Sticking with the recycle theme, I went with bamboo plates that can be purchased online, making for easy cleanup while not hurting the environment.
The holidays are for gathering together and celebrating, so whenever I host a sit-down meal, I add festive party crackers. Originally from the UK, they have made their way to homes across the US! All guests have to do is pull them apart, hear the pop, and they’ll find a paper crown, funny toys, and jokes. It’s always silly laughter as we all tell the jokes we got out of them.
Each year, I look for items that will compliment the brunch or dinner for our Thanksgiving. I chose Smucker’s Cider Apple Butter for my guests to take home with them– a memory of celebrating together and what we are thankful for during this crazy time.
TIP: Nothing like a bit of DIY for your table. I ended up spray-painting the pumpkin decor with metallic paint I found at the hardware store, which helped tie my theme.
A little history:
The first recorded Thanksgiving celebration in North America took place in 1621 and involved the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag Indians.
The Pilgrims, who had arrived in the New World the previous year and struggled through a harsh winter, gave thanks for a successful harvest and asked for the Wampanoag’s help hunting and gathering food.
The Wampanoag, who had helped the Pilgrims survive their first year in the new land, accepted the invitation, and the two groups gathered together to share a feast that lasted three days.
This event is considered the first Thanksgiving in North America and has since been celebrated annually in the United States as a symbol of gratitude and friendship.
Did you know?
Tom Smith, a London confectioner, first introduced Christmas crackers in the mid-19th century, around the 1840s. The original crackers were made of a cardboard tube wrapped in brightly colored paper and filled with small toys and sweets.
The tradition of pulling the crackers during Christmas dinner began as a way to add an element of excitement and surprise to the holiday celebration. Over time, the crackers evolved to include paper hats, jokes, and trinkets, making them a staple of Christmas festivities in the UK and worldwide.
Today, Christmas crackers come in various designs and themes, from traditional to more elaborate and luxurious versions and are used for all different types of holidays, such as Easter, birthdays, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. Now, they are enjoyed by people of all ages, and around the world, during the holiday season.
