THANKSGIVING IDEAS & CANDIED NUTS!!!

HOME MADE THANKSGIVING TABLECLOTH

Have the party guests create a homemade tablecloth as a Thanksgiving memento for years to come. Here’s how:

Materials:
Plain White Fabric Table Cloth
Fabric Paint in harvest colors - red, gold, brown, yellow, orange
Printing items - potatoes, corn cobs, sponges, feathers, leaves, stencils of your choice

Place a layer of newspapers on a large flat surface and place your clean tablecloth on it. Halve potatoes and cut simple designs into them for potato prints, such as a star, leaf, or flower. (Keep in cold water until ready to use.)

Pour a small amount of the different colored paints into paper plates. Place the paints and printing items on dining trays along the center of the table. This will minimize the spills and drips when your little artists get to work.

When you’re ready to begin, give each child a section of the tablecloth to decorate and let them get creative. Show them how to make impressions by dipping printing items into the paint and pressing on the tablecloth for interesting effects.

Variation: Let kids make handprint turkeys on the tablecloth and embellish them with glitter. Instruct them to write their name near their turkey and also write something they are thankful for. A great Thanksgiving party memento...

CORNUCOPIA PLACE CARDS

Write each guest's name on an ice cream sugar cone with decorator frosting. Place the cones onto a festive paper napkin and fill them with candies, dried fruit and nuts. Let the filling spill out a bit for a "horn of plenty" effect.

MAYFLOWER PLACE CARDS

Materials:
Tapered Cantaloupe Slices, about 1 inch thick in the middle
Round Toothpicks
White Paper Plates
Black Marker
Cut the scalloped edges of the paper plates into sections. Write each party guest’s name on one. Make two holes in each "sail" vertically. Insert toothpick into the sail, then into the cantaloupe slice. Makes a great presentation on each plate, and can be eaten too!

PINE CONE TURKEYS

Materials:
Round Pine Cones
Red Construction Paper
Googly Eyes
Craft Feathers or Chenille Pipe Cleaners
Craft Glue
Cut red construction paper into turkey waddles (a long tear-drop shape). Instruct kids to hold the pine cone on its side and glue on the turkey waddle and googly eyes to the top of the cone. Use colored craft feathers or loop different colored chenille pipe cleaners to create the turkey tail feathers. Glue to the back (bottom) of the cone.

ORANGE CLOVE “MAKE & TAKE” PARTY FAVORS

Supply each guest with a fresh orange and a supply of cloves. Show kids how to stick the pointy end of the clove into the orange. It is best if you make small holes with a skewer first to stick the cloves into… Let them make their own designs. The finished product will be a wonderful aromatic reminder of their harvest party.

SUGAR COATED PECANS

Warning! Can be additive.

INGREDIENTS:
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
1 pound pecan halves
1 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease one baking sheet.
In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
Add pecans to egg whites & stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.

CANDIED WALNUTS

INGREDIENTS:
3 3/4 Cups Walnuts (1 pound bag)
Bake in 375 Degree oven for 5 minutes, stirring once or twice. Cool while syrup cooks.

SYRUP:
1 1/2 Cup Sugar 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 Cup water 3/4 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:
Butter sides of heavy pan. Cook syrup & stir until sugar dissolves and mixture boils. Cook without stirring to 236 degrees, using candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Add 21/4 tsp vanilla & nuts. Beat by hand 1 minute or until nuts are coated. Spread out on buttered pan. Break into pieces when cool.
These are so addicting and so yummy.You can use any nuts.

MAPLE CANDIED PECANS

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups raw pecans
1/4-1/2 c pure maple syrup
1 tsp Chinese 5-spice
small pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:
Simmer all ingredients together on medium until all the liquid is gone. You will have to turn down the temperature later in the cooking to prevent burning. The syrup should start to crystalize. If it doesn’t add a little more syrup and continue cooking. Lay out on parchment to cool and dry