Give Thanks Together

'Tis the season to give thanks as harvests are celebrated and seasons change around the world. People also pause from their normal hectic pace to express gratitude for friends, family, and others near their home as well as around the globe. Families gather to pass on their traditions. Kids often express their thankfulness through the arts as they prepare for this festive holiday.

Issue Invitations

Make this Thanksgiving special - send handcrafted dinner invitations. Choose pretty paper and design a seasonal motif with Crayola® Watercolor Brushes to blend and soften colors. Print the invitation in fancy lettering with Crayola® Gel F/X Colored Pencils. Design matching envelopes, too.

Write Letters

People, and their many kindnesses, are often at the top of children's lists of what they're thankful for. Have children create personalized letterhead with Crayola® Metallic Markers and express their appreciation and love in words with Crayola® Gel Pens.

Match Placemats and Napkin Rings

Choose a theme for your table, such as fall produce or family and friends. To make seasonal placemats, cover heavy paper with a thick layer of Crayola® Gel F/X Crayon designs. Cut cardboard roll napkin rings, and paint in matching colors with Crayola® Washable Kid's Paint. Add Crayola® Glitter Glue accents. Fill with holiday napkins to carry out your theme.

Feature Name Cards

Designating a place for each person gives holiday dinners an extra special touch. Cut fancy paper rectangles for each place card. Add an intricate seasonal design with Crayola® Gel F/X Colored Pencils. Then use calligraphy or your fanciest penmanship to write each person's name with Crayola® Gel Pens.

Design a Harvest Centerpiece

Create a decorative tray filled with nature's bounty. Color layers of bright fall leaves on a recycled file folder with Crayola® Crayons. Cut around outside leaf edges for your centerpiece base. Create imitation candles by cutting a cardboard paper-towel roll in half. Decorate candles with Crayola® Metallic Markers. Around candles, make a stunning arrangement of Crayola® Model Magic® Indian corn, squash, pumpkins, and other produce. Knead Crayola® Washable Marker color into the modeling material to get just the right shades and tints.

Send Greetings of Gratitude

Send greetings to family and friends, near and far. On watercolor paper, lightly sketch card designs with Crayola® Colored Pencils. Perhaps a collage of thanks would be appropriate. Complete the design with Crayola® Watercolors and Watercolor Brushes. Write messages of gratitude.