As a child, my home was often filled with guests and laughter, music and interesting conversation. My father was a prominent physician and my mother was the impeccable hostess. Entertaining and welcoming guests, whether they were life long friends or total strangers was a common practice in my family, especially during Thanksgiving. My parents strongly believed in opening their home and showing hospitality to those who needed it. As a teenager, my self-center side resented having to share special holidays with non-family members, but as an adult I’m humbled by the selfless and generous hospitality my parents gladly extended.
My mother would make special “blessings” for each guest as a take home favor. Guests were always moved by the thought she put into each blessing. I want to continue this tradition and show you how to make meaningful Thanksgiving Thankful Favors for your guests.
Start with inexpensive paper mache boxes. Spray paint them any color you like. I chose antique bronze.
The next step is the is the message. Think about what you are thankful for and love about each person. Type it on your computer and print it out on cardstock, along with each guest’s name. Cut the message out in strips. For each place setting card, you can use a small cookie cutter to trace around their name and then cut out.
Fill each spray painted, thankful favor box with Spanish moss, chocolates, and their special message, which you’ve rolled up.
Tie each Thanksgiving Thankful Favor with a ribbon, add their place card to it, and set on their place setting.
Remembering what we are truly thankful for and letting those we love or those who we’ve just met know their worth is what the spirit of the Thanksgiving season is all about. I’m so very grateful for having wonderful parents who instilled this value in my life so I can pass it on to my children and others.
Thanks Mom (& Dad in Heaven) for your selfless lessons in gratitude.
Kim
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What beautiful & meaningful favors! They look pretty & are heartfelt, so it’s a win-win situation.
How pretty Kim! Wonderful tradition and makes me miss my parents!
Now I know where you and Beth get your big heart and crafty lil selves…Your Parents! What a blessing and now you are passing this on to your little ones. What a sweet tradition!
What a lovely gift to show someone in such a special way how very thankful you are for them! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful memory!
What a wonderful tradition. We have already had our Thanksgiving this year (Canada!) but I “pinned” this to adapt it for use at Christmas, thank you for sharing!
Beautiful and thoughtful!
Thanks for the lovely tribute, hon. I love the gift boxes, too! I’ll let you know how many we need for this year’s table…(smile).
Kim, I love this both as a wonderful homage to your mom and as a tradition to share! A double thanksgiving treat!! I’d be honored if you wanted to share it at my Abundantly Thankful linky party. Either way, I wish you a blessed holiday.
I love this idea!! What a beautiful tradition! One year we wrote down what we were thankful for on little slips of paper and baked them into the crescent rolls. It was fun to read them at the table.
Love this tradition!
Thanks so much for linking up!!
I featured your post in my wrap up! http://tidymom.net/2011/great-ideas-9/
Have a great weekend!
Beautiful and thoughtful. Love it!
so lovely!
How lovely. Such a sweet post and idea. Thanks for sharing it.
I love this idea Kim!! When you talk about your mom and dad, I can see your house on Lake Michigan, I loved going there!!
Thanks so much!
Margaret ( Morgenstern) Tuori
Oh Marggie! Thank you so much for the comment! My parents loved you so much and I’m honored that my dad was your mom’s doctor. I remember him talking about her and saying how strong of spirit she was. She was so sweet to me and I remember so much about spending time with your family at your home. (Now they both can laugh about our silliness in Heaven). In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thank God that FB has reunited us after all these years. You were such a special gift of a friend in my life and you are so pure in heart. Love you girl!