Thanksgiving is often a stressful holiday for parents, involving hours spent preparing for the big family get-together. Involve the children in the process and keep them occupied at the same time with some simple Thanksgiving crafts using images they are familiar with such as pilgrims, Native Americans and turkeys. The children will be proud to see their handicrafts decorating the Thanksgiving table, and you will have time to put the finishing touches on the meal.

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather together and share a wonderful, holiday meal. There is more to preparing for the great turkey day than cooking. The table setting creates the ambiance for occasion; therefore, it is important to design a Thanksgiving table centerpiece that will delight your guests.

As you prepare to set your Thanksgiving table, consider getting crafty and adding a personal touch by making your own Thanksgiving table decorations!

By incorporating fall foliage, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and the colors of fall into your homemade decorations, your table will be festive and seasonal, setting a beautiful stage for sharing a fabulous meal.

Homemade Place Cards

Who doesn't love Jennifer Garner?

The fresh-faced beauty from West Virginia is an incredibly talented actress who defies typecasting. She was as convincing as an international assassin in "Elektra" as she was playing a gawky teenage girl trapped in an adult's body in "13 Going On 30." She's also married to actor Ben Affleck, with two beautiful daughters and a third baby on the way.

The holiday meal takes center stage on Thanksgiving. Set the stage in a tasteful and simple way with an easy Thanksgiving centerpiece. Squashed between ghoulish Halloween and the gift-giving winter holidays, retail stores treat Thanksgiving decorations like unwanted dinner guests.

Thanksgiving is a dieter's nightmare. With all the ingredients for a fattening feast, Thanksgiving can spell nutritional disaster. If you swap out some of your fattening foods for a roasted alternative, or throw a few extra roasted vegetable options into the mix, you can ensure everyone is eating tasty, healthy veggies before they fill up on pie.

To please the younger set at Thanksgiving, substitute the makeshift kids' table that looks as if it's been thrown together at the last minute with a children's Thanksgiving table that is the most colorful and attractive spot in the house. That way, youngsters who are relegated to a kids' table will feel special rather than merely accommodated. Adding a few table activities as part of the décor will help keep the kids entertained.

Looking for some quick and easy ways to make a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dinner table? Here's a great idea for a fruit and nut centerpiece. It's beautiful, simple and uses natural elements - the perfect way to reflect the spirit of the holiday!

Many Thanksgiving diners look forward to a sweet treat as a conclusion to the hearty meal that is characteristic of this holiday. Creating this requisite meal conclusion does not have to be a challenge. By selecting a simple Thanksgiving dessert recipe in place of a complex standby, chefs can save themselves time and make the task of preparing a complete Thanksgiving meal less of a chore.