The Forgotten Holiday...

I am not that old.

Although my kids may disagree...


Even I can remember when Thanksgiving was a big deal. Anticipated by every child and grown-up. 


Thanksgiving Day was the first official day of the holiday season. Stores were closed. Businesses closed for family to be together. No one went anywhere other than their dinner destination. 


Now it seems to be the forgotten holiday.

 I remember looking forward to the assortment of friends and family  arriving. Pies, cranberry orange relish( a family recipe) and the GINORMOUS turkey laid out on our pool table turned buffet. It was a special all day event.





Thanksgiving 1976



We woke early to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade. Eagerly seeking the arrival of Santa and his sleigh bringing the parade to a close.



via: Maceys,com

Via: Maceys.com

Dinner was the main event followed by games of tag and hide and go seek for we cousins and friends. The grown ups would stay inside and visit. Sometimes Grammie and the Aunts would play a game or two of canasta. Stories of ancestors and thoughts of gratitude were shared. It was a time for family. A time for togetherness, patriotism and reminiscing.


Later in the day, the BIG  newspaper would arrive filled with ads and toy catalogs from what seemed to be every store. My sister, brother and I would sprawl out on the floor, pen in hand, to circle all the amazing offerings we wanted Santa to bring a month later.



Once our minds had been filled with gratitude, anticipation and sweet dreams, our bodies would succumb to the turkey,  trimmings, and our second helping of pie. We would head off to bed looking forward to the second day of the magical holiday season.



The day after Thanksgiving was much anticipated too. We knew mom would take us shopping with her into downtown Sacramento. Somehow all the stores, lampposts and mall centers had been magically transformed with holiday décor and lights.

via: Sacramentosidetracks.com



A visit to Santa was the order of the day for us children. Often we would carry with us those treasured Thanksgiving day ads to share with the jolly elf exactly what we were dreaming of.



Christmas 1970

When our long day of trudging through stores had come to an end; When we had conquered the line to speak with Santa, we returned home.


One of the very best parts of our Thanksgiving holiday actually happened the day after. Mom would make turkey soup with the leftover turkey, veggies and stuffing. She added savory rice to thicken the mix. Upon our arrival home  from our foray into the land of holiday and lights, a delicious bowl of turkey soup awaited.


The last and possibly most exciting day of our Thanksgiving weekend brought the transformation of our own home. Dad would pull out the boxes of decorations from the attic. Then mom and us three kids would set about transforming the house. Holly garlands as tie backs for all the curtains. Peek a boo Santa adorned the toilet seat. Our elves and sleighs rested on the ledge near the kitchen.


The piece de resistance... we brought home a living Christmas tree to fill the house with the fresh scent of Christmas. Treasured ornaments from years past were carefully hung on the limbs. There was no fancy tree skirt. Mom would pull a freshly washed white sheet from the linen closet and my sister and I would lay bellies down under the tree to spread our new fallen "snow".


Thanksgiving weekend was a time of love and magic. A time to be grateful for all the blessings we had received during the previous year. Thanksgiving weekend was a time to share with family and friends. Precious memories were made.

There was no rushing off to a sale or standing in line all night. Thanksgiving was OUR day.



Thanksgiving at Grandma's house

Thanksgiving 1999

My husband and I have tried to hold on to Thanksgiving. Our children look forward to many of the same magical traditions of gratitude and family.

All are safely Gathered in....

I love the Thanksgiving season.

When Halloween is over, I am ready to take down the spiders and skulls. Storing them away til next year brings a sense of calm and respite.Creepy crawlies are exchanged for harvest and plenty.


Welcoming in the harvest season begins at the front door. I even plant brightly colored mums near the steps, just so we can enjoy the color with our harvest décor. 

Pumpkins, gourds, leaves and berries are gathered from the garden and surrounding fields. Fruit baskets, an old wagon and farm bucket make for delightful displays when filled with the gifts of mother earth.
Once the exterior is done, my heart turns to the hearth. It IS after all the heart of our home. Transforming the fireplace hearth and mantel brings me particular pleasure. Each year I begin by stripping it down to the bare bones.

A trip along the river bank or into the fields near our home comes next. I gather branches, leaves, fruits etc to dress the surfaces of our home. Pumpkins and gourds are gleaned from the garden

When I have gathered all that catches my eye, I bring it in and lay it out on the floor. Then the fun begins. Layer by layer the mantle and hearth are filled with the emblems we are THANKFUL for.

 

When the fireplace is finished I move on to warming the room as a whole.  I add the half panel fabric pieces to my white linen drapes. This immediately changes the feel of the room.

Runners in a fall print are added to our wingback chairs in the reading corner. Throws are pulled out too into a harvest basket for snuggling up.

Pillows are transformed with easy textural covers. Velvets, rough linens in fall prints, even burlap to complete our harvest look.(These custom embroidered pillows are available here .)

Last, the mayflower and pilgrims take their place of honor...this year at the center of our harvest table.

Welcome Thanksgiving....welcome friends and family...all are safely gathered in.