How to Decorate Your Kitchen for Thanksgiving

Besides the dining room where the family congregates to share the Thanksgiving meal, the kitchen is the most important room of the house on this holiday. It is here that the cook of the house slaves away from the crack of dawn peeling, chopping, basting and baking to provide loved ones with a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Giving the kitchen an easy and quick holiday makeover will delight guests and lift the spirits of the cook by ensconcing them in cozy and attractive Thanksgiving decor during the many hours spent preparing for the holiday.

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas For The Kitchen: Colors. A few dishtowels, coffee mugs or bowls set out in the warm colors of pumpkin orange, golden yellow or rich brown will give the kitchen a nice holiday feeling without going to any trouble at all. Simply adding these colors to the existing decor is an easy way to add a little Thanksgiving spirit to the kitchen.

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas For The Kitchen: Turkey Platter. Most families have the traditional turkey platter which only makes an appearance once a year on the night before the holiday. Taking the turkey platter out of the china cabinet and placing it in a common area of the kitchen will help to increase anticipation for the holiday weeks before the actual day arrives. Use the turkey platter to hold fresh fruit or a display of artificial pumpkins and gourds. The platter can be washed the night before the holiday and then put aside to hold the Thanksgiving turkey.

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas For The Kitchen: Holiday Scented Candles. Several pillar or jar candles in delicious Thanksgiving scents such as Pumpkin Pie or Autumn Spice will give the kitchen a very inviting and festive Thanksgiving spirit.

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas For The Kitchen: Indian Corn. Several stalks of Indian corn hung on the kitchen door or displayed on shelves will give the kitchen a lovely and simple holiday look and turn the family's thoughts to the first Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas For The Kitchen: Thanksgiving Photo Collage. Go through the boxes of photos you have stored away and select a meaningful array of photographs from Thanksgivings from the past. Purchase a collage frame from the arts and crafts store and spend an evening arranging all the photographic mementos from past holidays. Hang the collage in a central area of the kitchen where it can easily be admired by friends and family. While cooking the turkey or entertaining guests, you will surely love gazing at pictures from your child's first Thanksgiving or the last holiday spent with Grandma or Grandpa.

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas For The Kitchen: Thanksgiving Banner. Put the children to work creating a lovely Thanksgiving banner to hang over the kitchen doorway. Have them print the words "Happy Thanksgiving" with pictures of turkeys, pumpkins and pilgrims. They will love the opportunity to add to the holiday decor while you will get a warm and loving feeling whenever you spend time in the kitchen prior to the holiday. The banner can be taken down on Thanksgiving and signed by the holiday guests as a permanent memento of the day.