How to Create a Kids’
BY MIMI MARKOPOULOS
THANKSGIVING TABLE
E very year, we have the honor of hosting Thanksgiving in our home. There is something special about getting together with your family
to feast on delicious homecooked food, watch some football and enjoy everyone’s company.

We normally host around 30 plus people, so we never have a traditional seated dinner for the adults. But the kids get their own table.

I believe making a special space for kids to enjoy Thanksgiving at their table enables them to express who they are and learn from peer
interaction in a way that isn’t as easy when sitting among all the adults.

My kids’ table is different each year. I like to follow a theme, and I love to have something creative for the kids to do on it.

| TABLE SETTINGS
variation and set two candles between the
turkey and the pumpkins. The kids felt that
the items gave off a very grown-up vibe
and loved it. The jute table runner over the
white tablecloth anchored the centerpieces
and completed the look.

Last year, we passed around a faux pumpkin
and a pen and encouraged the kids to write
something they are grateful for on it. This
pumpkin was very special, and we still have
| THE CENTERPIECE
I love to create a picturesque moment, so it today. Anything you can do to encourage
the centerpiece always needs to be kid- gratitude is fitting for Thanksgiving Day. n
friendly and aesthetically pleasing. I used
two pumpkins from Michaels that I hand
| AN ACTIVITY
Editor’s Note: Read more about mom and
DIY lifestyle blogger Mimi Markopoulos from
I am huge on crafting and DIYs. This year, painted a few years ago. I placed my sea
I decided to keep the table settings simple grass and straw turkey that I purchased Damascus, Maryland, in our “Parent You Should
from Target on a cake stand for some height
Know” story on page 10.

with coloring place mats.

If there’s one thing kids love to do, it’s
coloring. Give them a coloring placemat and
some crayons, and they are set. I think these
place mats also give a fun youthful feel to the
tablescape. I used miniature terra cotta plant
pots to hold the crayons. I felt that it kept in
theme with the setting and provided a fun and
untraditional piece to the table.

STEVE BOURSIQUOT/ALL OR NOTHING STUDIOS
When you’re entertaining kids, keep your table
settings simple. I am big on paper and plastic
tableware. Make it pretty and make sure you
can recycle the tablewear.

This year, I bought the most adorable Meri
Meri Turkey paper plates and placed them
over a white “charger” with a rose gold rim.

I use air quotes because they aren’t chargers;
they’re plastic plates. They work well and look
beautiful, and I guarantee you the kids won’t
miss the china.

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