Post by Jessica R.

Grown-up table centerpieces are fancy and beautiful, but the kid’s table deserves some attention beyond holiday paper plates and napkins. You can even make their decorations pull double duty: make the place festive and keep the kids entertained.

1) Start by covering the kids’ table with white butcher paper. You can draw the outlines of place mats directly onto the paper, or trace plates, cups, knives, forks, and spoons to help little kids know how to set their table. Or you can leave the paper blank and let the kids’ creativity soar.

2) Supply crayons, markers, glitter glue, stampers, anything to give the kids something to play with before, during, and after dinner!

3) Get creative and fancy beforehand and make this adorable turkey centerpiece! Since it’s made with half of a Styrofoam ball, you can make two—one for markers and one for crayons.

4) Worried that your little diners will need more to distract them? Check out all the fun Thanksgiving coloring pages and activities supplied by Crayola or fill a centerpiece basket with tiny Playdoh tins, Silly Putty, stickers, or other fun treats.

With all that keeping the kids entertained grown-ups will have plenty of time to enjoy their meal, their wine, and the great company!

My family is hosting Thanksgiving dinner for 25 people this year, which has me both excited and a little nervous. How are we going to fit all of those people in our house, let alone ensure they get fed and leave feeling satisfied?

One of the solutions we’re going with this year is to have a Thanksgiving buffet with seating spread all around the house—a solution that’s perfect except that we don’t want people balancing their food on their laps!

As a result, I love this post from Apartment Therapy about how to add extra tables to your home during parties and other events. Our Thanksgiving guests will now have a place to put their plates (even if it happens to be a re-purposed nightstand, suitcase or stool!).

Check out some of these other makeshift or easy-storage table ideas for even more inspiration!

And don’t forget you can use chic trays to dress up an ottoman or small stool!

I love homemade decorations for the holidays, but I’m a little challenged when it comes to execution. I can’t sew very well, so one of my favorite tricks is to use good old fashioned felt—and there’s no better time than the holidays to try your hand at festive red felt crafts!

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Red Felt Placemats from Real Simple

Red Felt Pillows from Better Homes & Gardens

Felt Star Table Settings from All About You

Red Felt Memory Box from Country Living