Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I want to go everywhere I haven't been, and back to everywhere I have been.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece and the Shopping Debate

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece - everything goes on a tray! - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

How do you feel about shopping on Thanksgiving?

I just read in my local paper that two malls near me are going to be open 
on Thanksgiving Day, for the first time. 

 I like to shop with the best of them, and if competitive shopping was a sport,
I'd be on the varsity team, for sure. 
But I have my limits. 

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece - everything goes on a tray! - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Now, I'm not judging.
I know that for some people, working on a holiday 
means badly needed extra income, 
  or for those who don't have plans for Thanksgiving, 
the mall provides a place to go. 
I get it that stores offer deals which make otherwise unaffordable items, affordable (but why can't they just wait till the next day???), 
and for some families, burning off calories at the mall together, 
is no less quality time than a game of Monopoly. 

Hey, whatever plucks your turkey.

It's just not my thing.

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece - everything goes on a tray! - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


For me...and I'm just talking about ME here...
the "centerpiece" of Thanksgiving is spending time with my family around the table, and for once, not rushing to go anywhere. 

Most days of the year, we are racing through dinner for one reason or another...
homework demands, tennis practice, classes, etc.
This is one night of the year that I don't want to be choking down my turkey and cranberry sauce, to go and fight for a parking space at the mall.

Thanks, but no.

I guess it just makes me a tad sad that Thanksgiving
is becoming more and more about the "cuh-ching..." 
and brawling over sale items, rather than fighting over who gets the turkey wings.
 And, I feel bad for the people who have to work, that don't want to.  

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece - everything goes on a tray! - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
  
Sorry, I didn't mean to get my turkey feathers all in a twist here. 
This post is supposed to be about a Thanksgiving centerpiece,
and so it shall be.

(OMG - this is too funny...Sadie was just barking her head off like a mad dog, 
and when I looked out the window to see why,
a parade of turkeys had just crossed the street.
Too bad I didn't have my camera handy!)

Back to the subject at hand...

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece - everything goes on a tray! - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
  
You know how I like to do things the easy way.
As much as I admire all of the elaborate decor seen all over the web,
I just don't have the ability or the patience.

For this centerpiece, I started with a bamboo table runner, 
and a tray.

I placed three battery-operated candles in a rustic wooden box 
in the center of the tray,
and loosely wrapped some burlap trim around the candles.
Now you know why I opted for battery-operated...
as much I like a "wow" factor, setting my table top on fire 
is not the direction I'd like to go in, 
although it would be an excuse to buy a new dining room table. 
Hmmmm.

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece - everything goes on a tray! - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 Gourds, pumpkins, pine cones, and faux fruit were used to fill up the tray.
(Real fruit would have been even better if a certain Ms. Toody had gotten to the store in time).

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece - everything goes on a tray! - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
 
I had a few pieces "spill out" onto the table, in a cornucopia-ish way.

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece - everything goes on a tray! - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

The nice thing is, it's low enough that people can see each other across the table, 
which I'm assuming you and your guests think is a good thing ;)

 And, if you need room for the turkey platter,
you can easily lift the tray off table, and put it back when you're done. 

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece - everything goes on a tray! - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Well, I think my work here is done.  
 I'm going shopping :)


You may also like:

Thanksgiving Lanterns - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
Easy Thanksgiving Lanterns

Linking with:
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Sunday Showcase
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The Scoop
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Weekend Social 
Let's Get Real
Feathered Nest Friday 
Home Sweet Home 
Weekend Bloggy Reading 
Happy Holiday Link Party  
Share It One More Time 
Time To Sparkle

19 comments:

  1. That is a lovely centerpiece. I like it. About opening shops on a holiday, maybe they want to divide the crowds who want to do their Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving.
    Have a nice weekend

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  2. I couldn't agree more with you regarding shopping on Thanksgiving. I think that employees should get to choose if they want to work that day and not be forced. Also, they should make over time pay the entire shift! I think it's sad how there is so much open on Thanksgiving now. It didn't use to be that way. Your centerpiece looks so pretty. It's traditional (in a good way) and just the right height!

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  3. I just read that the USPS is going to deliver packages on Christmas Day. I think that upsets me a bit more than the Thanksgiving shopping. I think what you said is absolutely correct. Some people look forward to that day for only being w/ family and some look forward to it for being w/ family and then shopping w/ family which they might not get to do that often. And some people just need a place to go. I think they should change Black Friday to the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving and give it its own special day/ days. And there are people that have to work every day of the year to keep us safe and to have gas stations, bus stations, airports, grocery stores, movie theaters, hospitals and nursing homes running. I think it is more the focus of SHOPPING that makes me crazy than having options of what to do that day. I wish they could separate the two and let the BF craziness have a different day. Why is it attached to Thanksgiving anyway?? It might be time to change that.

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  4. It is not my thing but think about how many men plop down in front of a football game and the women are left to do whatever. Now they have the option of something to do while the rest of the family watches football. I don't like the thought that someone has to work if they don't want to work but so many employees don't get paid holidays. No work = no pay for far too many people these days and a missed day out of a paycheck can be a hardship. Love your easy, breezy centerpiece. Perfect for a Thanksgiving feast.

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  5. Love the centerpiece. I need to get me some battery operated candles. Nice idea!
    As for shopping on Thanksgiving.......I can take it or leave it but I will not be shopping on that day. And not even on Black Friday. But that's just me! Happy Thanksgiving! diane @ thoughts and shots

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  6. How about Labor Day, Columbus Day, Memorial Day, etc? I try and not go shopping on major holidays. Our local grocery store will be closed for thanksgiving for the first time in I don't know how long? I hope I remember to get cool whip next time I shop! LOL

    Janet

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  7. I do not go shopping on Black Friday or any of the other crazy days retailers dream up. I hate being told when to get the best deal and then fight for it! If I see what I want for a good deal ahead of time, I get it. Which is what I did today. My husband's gift is bought....early...yeah! It's just not worth the frustration. I say stay at home and eat turkey! Or Lasagna, in our case. We are over turkey too! :0)

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  8. And as always, your centerpiece is clever, easy and looks great!

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  9. I don't shop at all around Thanksgiving. I don't like the crowds plus I will have guests here. Love your centerpiece.

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  10. Thanksgiving dinner is my favorite of the year, and like you I just want to turn off all the electronics and enjoy a quiet, uninterrupted dinner with my family...sometimes it does happen! Love the centerpiece!

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  11. As it happens, I'm (we're) spending Thanksgiving with our daughter and her husband. Not sure what plans we have...the guys don't want us to work by cooking, and we ladies don't mind cooking! So we'll see what happens..if we eat out I know it will be good but I wish the restaurants were closed! Those folks should be spending the day with their families. I'm not a shopper so I won't be heading to the mall Thanksgiving, Black Friday and probably only once or twice during December.

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  12. It all looks lovely! I agree with you about the shopping mall needing to be open during this family day - just isn't necessary in my opinion either!

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  13. There seems to be a bit of a backlash this year about stores being open. Nevertheless I'm sure lots of knuckleheads will be lining up at the crack of dawn for their alleged bargains. Not my thing.

    Which malls are open near you?

    Your table centerpiece is lovely Amy! It's right up my alley.

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  14. If this is a duplicate.... I cannot explain what happened to the first one so repeat here -
    Beautiful table and wonderful centerpiece. What I love is that it is not too foo foo and overdone. So warm and inviting and perfect. I do not shop on Thanksgiving except that I many run to 7-11 for last minute cream oversight. Hardly ever happens, but I am getting older.
    Best wishes lovely friend for a great week ahead
    ~ d

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  15. I think shops should be closed during big feasts. This way all people get to enjoy their families and friends!

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  16. Pretty centerpiece. I'm a fan of faux candles too. I no longer use open flames on my table.

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  17. I love how you used the burlap ribbon! I am going to try it...thanks for the LOVELY post!

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  18. You always have the most beautiful decorating ideas. I love what you bring to #theWeekendSocial each week. Please stop by again Thursday 9:00 PM EST. Pinned. http://www.theKitchenChopper.com

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  19. What great ideas for decorating - and yes, I'm with you on post-Thanksgiving shopping. (I'm sitting at my kitchen table today, Black Friday, enjoying my family and not missing the crowds at all.) Thanks for stopping by our Happy Holidays Link Party - be sure to join us again this week (beginning on Saturday at 7 pm ET) and every week through the holidays.

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