Countdown to Thanksgiving - Pilgrim Hats and Turkey Sandwiches

Today's Countdown to Thanksgiving Craft is a simple one, but might be something you may not thought of making before.  A few years back I was low on time before Thanksgiving, but wanted to make some sort of centerpiece for my table.  I realized I had a new unused clay pot on hand. I also had some styrofoam cups. I decided to pull out my craft paint and turn them into pilgrim hats. I painted both the pot and cups black, and then let them dry. While they were drying, I cut white paper strips for the hat band, and buckles out of gold cardstock.   Once the paint was dry, I put the bands and buckles on the hats with a little glue.  That's all there was to it. I told you it was simple.  I filled the pot with mini gourds I had on hand, and placed it in the middle of the table.  I added some names on the cup hats, and used them as place cards.  Hmm.. I might have to check my Thanksgiving boxes and put them back out again this year.

The recipe I am going to share with you today is also pretty simple, but my kids loved them when they were younger.  We used to eat turkey sandwiches that were actual turkeys. 

I cut the crust off the edges of the bread, but it is not necessary.  I also used a circle cookie cutter to cut out the turkey's head.  You can use whatever bread you would like, but I found wheat bread or whole grain bread gives it more of a turkey color. 

I cut colored peppers into slices to make the turkey feathers.  I also cut out a small triangle for he beaks, and small slice of red for the  wattle. 

Make the sandwiches with the ingredients of your choice.  For the best flavor, you would probably want something that goes well with peppers like chicken salad, turkey, cheese, or tuna. 

Once you choose your filling, add the feathers by placing one of the ends in between the two pieces of bread.  I used small cranberries for the eyes, but you can use raisins, grapes, anything small and round.  I attached the face pieces to the head with a tiny dab of cream cheese. 

They make cute appetizers, or a kid's snack. 

Savings tip of the day... 

If you are looking for a good deal on a Christmas Tree,  Michaels currently has 50% off ALL of their trees while supplies last.  They call this sale The Big Tree Spree.  

If you are not yet a Michaels rewards member you currently can sign up, and get $5 in rewards when you spend $25.  There is also a 30% off coupon on their website, that you can print and use.  When I go shopping at craft stores, I use a coupon every time I go. 

Another great deal going on right now is Oriental Trading Company currently 

has free shipping on any order for a limited time (though some restrictions apply according to the website. 

Use the code PS544 for the free shipping.  

 

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Countdown to Thanksgiving - Turkey Napkin Rings

One of my favorite Thanksgiving crafts that I think I have ever made and shared are my Turkey Napkin Rings.  They are a lot of fun to make and really brighten up the table.  I used cardboard paper towel tubes to make the rings, just in case you are wondering. 

I painted the tube dark brown, and then once it was dry cut it into 6 pieces for an inch and a half each.  I used cardstock in fall colors for the rest of the turkey. 

I used circle punch to make the head. I free hand cut a diamond for a beak, and a comma like shape for the wattle. For the feathers I cute bigger longer diamond shapes with rounded sides for the feathers. I used five feathers for each ring. 

I used hot glue to put the turkey together.  You can leave the feathers plain, or draw around the outside with black marker like this one. 

 

The width of the paper towel is the perfect size for a rolled up napkin.  

In today's Countdown to the Thanksgiving, I have a BONUS CRAFT 

We had a Thanksgiving tradition in our house. When the kids were younger we make Thankful Turkeys.  I would cut out a turkey shape and feathers.  They entire family would write on the feathers what they were thankful for that year, and then I would display them around the house.  I still have many of those turkeys in our memory boxes.  

If you would love to do this tradition but do not want to have to cut out the turkeys, I have a premade kit in my Etsy Shop.  

In addition to the Thankful Turkey Craft Kit , you may  also be interested in the  printable Thanksgiving Games that I have in my shop that the entire family can play. 

** this post contains affiliate links 

Money Earning and Savings Tips of the Day 

My favorite way to earn extra money for the holiday season is by selling my printables on Etsy.  If  you have been trying a side hustle like selling your own printables,  I love the course I took by Gold City Ventures.  You get so much out of this course including free templates, a wonderful Facebook group (which I am still a part of) and so much more.  Their course is open through midnight tonight. If you would to like more without committing to the course, they have two FREE resources.  The first is a Free Ebook about seasonable printables, and the other is a Free Workshop. If you have questions about this course, or making printables, drop me a message.  

Today's Saving Money Tip is in another area that I love... Making Crafts.  

I received an email from Michaels.com.  They have several FREE holiday workshops and courses going on in the next few weeks both online and in person.   They are currently in the middle of the 12 Days of Making Holiday Cards (Nov 1-12), but will also have the 12 Days of  Kid Club Winter Workshops (kid's crafts for age 6+)  Online they have two classes coming up.  How to make a luxe Christmas tree, (11/8 at 3 pm CT) and a wood burning class (11/15)  If you are interested in any of their free and paid classes check their website.    One of my favorite gifts I received from my daughter was a beautiful painting she made me in a Michael painting class. It has been hanging on the wall for many years.  

I have more Thanksgiving crafts and holiday tips coming tomorrow.  Hope to see you there! 

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Countdown to Thanksgiving- Turkey Pumpkin Centerpiece

 

Back a few years ago, before I was working full time, I used to do a holiday countdown where I would share a daily craft or recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The last few years my schedule did not really allow me to keep up with a daily schedule, but this year I am working a home, and able to do a countdown again. 

Each day (at least each week day) I plan on sharing a Thanksgiving craft. Many of them are crafts you can do with your kids, and display on the holiday. 

 A few times a week I will share a holiday recipe that you can make for you friends and family.  I will be sharing a recipe from my blog, and feature recipes from the Dare to Share round up posts. 

 A new thing I am going to add this year since there are so many of us dealing with the affects of inflation on our budgets, I am also going to share a shopping deal or two that you might not know about.  The holidays are coming up very fast, so we could all use ways to save some money when we can. 

** this blog post may contain affiliate links  

Today's Craft of the Day 

As you are putting away your Halloween craft supplies, if you find you have craft pumpkins still on hand, we can use them to make some Turkey Pumpkin Centerpieces.  

I love using the craft foam pumpkins from the Dollar Tree. While they are no longer available online, their website still has some different types of crafting pumpkins available,  if you are need any for your Thanksgiving crafts.     Whichever pumpkin that you choose to use, paint it the color of the turkey you are making. I chose to use a dark brown.  

 Cut a peanut shaped turkey head (body) out of craft foam.  Make sure it is the right size to attach to your pumpkin.   I then glued on the face using google eyes, a craft foam orange heart and a little red swish for the wattle.  (or is it snood, I always get confused LOL)  I then glued it to the front of the pumpkin. 

I cut the feet out of orange craft foam and glue it to the bottom of the pumpkin. 

I used a variety of colors of craft foam to make the feathers. You can make little snip around the shapes, to make them look like feathers.  Arrange them how you want and glue them to the back side of the pumpkin.  

Add a couple of craft foam wings, and your Turkey Pumpkin is complete. 

Your Turkey Pumpkin is ready for Thanksgiving!  He would look really cute as part of a table centerpiece. 

Now onto the money saving tips I saw in the past day or so. 

Do you have an Aldi nearby?  It is one of my favorite places to shop for my groceries.  They are currently advertising that they are rolling back their Thanksgiving essentials prices to 2019 prices.  I am pretty excited because this will help our food budget.  While I was there last night, I saw they currently had turkeys for about $1.09 a lb. (it may vary by area) 

Another way to save on Thanksgiving groceries right now is by using Ibotta.  I use Ibotta all the time and earn money back on groceries I am already buying anyway.  They currently have cash back on many Thanksgiving essentials, and if you redeem sixteen offers by Nov 18, they will give you an offer for a free turkey!   If you do not have the app yet, you can check out the Ibotta App Here. 

One last saving tip that I just found out today.  Over on Oriental Trading they are currently offering FREE Shipping on orders of $49, and $10 off orders of $69 using the code CE224644 at checkout.  They offer many Thanksgiving craft kids, and decor, and have some Early Bird Black Friday deals for 50% off right now. 

If you hear of any great deals, money saving tips, let me know in the comments.  

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