Thanksgiving Traditions and Christmas Decorating

 Hope you all had a fabulously Thankful Thanksgiving!  Ours was very low key and enjoyable.  We have a little tradition of going to Starbucks on Thanksgiving afternoon and then gawking at the crazy people camped outside of Best Buy all day and night instead of having Thanksgiving dinner.  This time there were no tents and trailers because they open at midnight. Yes, weird tradition...somehow I think it is a reminder to us what Thanksgiving is NOT about...and keeps our focus.   Anyway, here's some of the fun traditions.  I think these little things are so important to keep family values alive.

My daugther and her peppermint hot chocolate

They brought in "potties" for the event.  Lovely.

This is our traditional Cranberry Jello...dating back to the 60's for my parents.  I did it in the vintage mold...didn't come out perfect but it tasted good.

1 - 3 oz raspberry jello
1 1/4 cup hot water
1 can jellied cranberry
1/2 cup celery finely chopped
1/2 cup crushed pineapple well drained

Dissolve jello in water
In separate bowl chop cranberry with pastry blender
Add cranberry to jello and refrigerate for 45 min
Add celery and pineapple - Stir and continue to refrigerate
(Double if using a mold)

Sauce (optional)
1 cup sour cream
2 Tb maraccino cherry juice
1/2 cup cut up mini marshmallows



Here's my family...and our traditional Thanksgiving photo.

After Thanksgiving....Decorating!

I've been collecting all kinds of Vintage Christmas goodness from the thrift shops all year!  My daugther and I could hardly wait to get everything out.



Started with the outside.  The utility cart got a holiday makeover.  I am most excited about the 60's light up Santa I got this summer at a yard sale for 10 cents.

 

I used an old stadium bag with a broken zipper and stuffed it full of greenery and added the Merry Christmas.  The ice skates were thrifted for $2.50 and the "Boot and Shoe Grease" was free at an Estate Sale.

 

These little guys are newer and made to look old.

Two red Pyrex fridgies, some "fruit cakes" and a vintage Japanese figurine.

Christmas mug collection



Love the cover of this old magazine! (49 cents thrifted)



Vintage Anchor Hocking jar and tea tin from an Estate Sale (75 cents)

vintage aprons

Vintage Christmas table cloth (Estate Sale steal at $4)

Center Piece:  Pyrex Golden Poinsettia with vintage ornaments

Found this record cover at a thrift for $1...love it!

tea towel made by my Grandma

Tom and Jerry's punch set



The Kitchen shelf...decked out for Christmas.

Love this little candle holder from Goodwill.

Vintage Plate (50 cents) Vintage Candle holder 50 cents), Pyrex Primary Bowls

Anchor Hocking Trees with candy and Pyrex Bowls

This is my large shelf filled with thrifted Christmas treasures!

Just found these cute vintage figures at VV for $1.99

The Snowflake Garland is my favorite Christmas pattern of Pyrex

 

 

 

Yes, I'm a thermos freak.  I've been finding them at thrifts and yard sales for awhile now.  The Holiday is my favorite!

 

 

 

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!  Keep those vintage values alive and enjoy your fmaily!