Thanksgiving is such a fun celebration. Don’t you just love getting to see all of your family members, watching the Macy’s Day Parade, enjoying the football game, and stuffing your face with all the “zero calorie food” LOL!? And then, after you’re stuffed, don’t you just love taking a super-long nap and then waking to having turkey sandwiches? Ahhh! Thanksgiving in America.
Thanksgiving in our home is a staple every year with little traditions that we each love. One family tradition in our home is to be reminded of the history of Thanksgiving. You see, my mother is a historian and storyteller of our family. Among other things, she taught school for almost 4 decades so we’re bound to hear some tale of historic value every holiday.
As a child, it was just a normality. Now that I’m a mother, I see the significance of these traditions. Through the years, my friends have made note as well and while I never gave it much thought, I long for the traditions to continue now.
This year as we hear the traditional story of Thanksgiving, we will have the children adorned in Indian dress. Here is a sample of our kids’ outfits.
Thanksgiving – Native American Grocery Paper Bag Craft
Native American grocery paper bag vest (recycling at it best! ).
You will need: Large Grocery Bag, Scissors, Glue, Color Crayons(Optional), Construction paper(Optional)
Flip the bag inside out (opening facing down)
Cut a circle large enough for your child’s head (cut more towards the rear – bottom part of bag) (5-7 inch diameter, depending on child’s size )
Cut down the center of vest
Cut a circle on both sides for your child’s arm (2-4 inch diameter) A coffee or oatmeal container can be used for the perfect size
Lightly sprinkle bag (use a spray bottle to mist if you have)
Crinkle bag into a ball
Use iron to flatten (this will give it the vintage-leather look)
Tear along the bottom of the vest to fringe the edges
Use crayons, construction paper, feathers or paint to fill your vest with fun designs
Use construction paper for headband and feathers. Josie has real, live chicks so we will using real chicken feathers for the head dress.
Katie Girl
