Give Thanks Banner Giveaway
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It is so rich in meaning and history, and comes at a time of year when abundant harvests are still fresh in memory, if not all around us. I also believe that gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions we can feel; that it transforms us as people and it also transforms our memory. Lack of gratitude is an open door to unlimited challenges; gratitude is an open door to potential and excellence.
I realize that to some Thanksgiving is simply a meal, or a meal on a single day with people we love, and that’s totally fine. To me it’s more of a season, like Christmas.
Last year I wrote about wanting to carry the Thanksgiving spirit forward into my Christmas observance and my heart still pauses on those thoughts.
Because it’s a special holiday to me, my list of things to do for Thanksgiving is rather lengthy. I love hosting Thanksgiving dinner at my house (it’s a lot of work but in some ways easier than taking my large group elsewhere). It occurred to me this week that if I shortened my Thanksgiving “to do” list I might get more accomplished on my Christmas list, but I’m not sure I want to. The two holidays pair so well together.
Among my Thanksgiving projects to complete this year was this banner. A friend and I got together and started them last year. She finished hers; I finished mine last week.
It’s made of felt, with a leaf and letter sewn onto a felt background. I hung it on sturdy rope and added a green ribbon between each letter to keep them properly spaced. The inspiration came from a small picture of a similar banner in a Pottery Barn kids catalog several years ago. (Why do they never sell the one thing I fall in love with?)
When we started them last year I cut enough fabric for two banners, so I’d like to give one away!
To enter, just leave a comment telling me where you are on the Thanksgiving spectrum: is it a holiday you really get into, or do you let it take just a day or two?
The giveaway will end at midnight on Friday November 11, 2011.
I’ll announce the winner on Saturday.
On a similar note, I’m also offering a giveaway this week over on the blog I participate in with my sisters. It’s called Sisterview , and we have some fun things planned for the next few weeks. I just finished making my first velvet pumpkins, and I’m giving some away. If you’d like to enter, head over here to leave a comment.
And check back here at Hopeful Homemaker in the next day or two for a second velvet pumpkin giveaway.
Good luck!
Jennifer
so cute. how do you find time for this stuff?
What a darling banner. Love it! I’m like you. Thanksgiving is a huge holiday. I truly believe a season of gratitude needs to proceed a seasons of giving(Christmas). And it seems like a lot of people just skip right over it and want to get right into Christmas. Gratitude is such an important principle especially if you are seeking an abundant life. It has been one of the greatest things that has helped through the past 3 1/2 years. Finding the tender mercies of the Lord each day and being grateful for them truly has helped me through some tough days.
You are amazing Jennifer with all you do. What an inspiration you are! Thanks for sharing all you do.
I love decorating for Thanksgiving too because many of the decorations I have I made with you along with the cute wood pilgrams you gave me. 😉
Love ya!
I think the thanksgiving holiday is for Family, Food, and Football (after we give thanks of course)
I love Thanksgiving too (but not as much as I love Christmas) and would rather skip Halloween and just celebrate THanksgiving and Christmas. I struggle with wanting to decorate for Christmas and THanksgiving all at once. THe banner is adorable!
E
I also love Thanksgiving. My birthday is always around Thanksgiving so it’s always given me an extra reason to celebrate the holiday. Now there are two more birthdays in my family around that time. I think it’s great to celebrate and give thanks before moving on into Christmas. I don’t have too many Thanksgiving decorations though. The banner is adorable.
I love Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas equally. They are each fun and special for their own reasons. I have found that I love keeping Thanksgiving simple. For me that means no rush, no stress, yummy foods, but not biting off more than I can chew (har har). It’s a super cute banner, I’ll keep my fingers crossed; I need some more decorations.
Jennifer – everything you do is so amazing. I look at you with 8 kids and am always in awe at how much you accomplish and how amazing your talents are. So I read your blog all the time and just wish that I had a small portion of your ambition and talents. I appreciate your example of staying focused and always remembering what matters most. I love the Thanksgiving banner. I wish I was more crafty. I like that it hangs on a wall or from a fireplace mantel and you can see it throughout the day over and over again and be reminded what this season is all about. Being grateful. I hope you and your family are doing well. We had another girl in August. I don’t know if you ever knew that. I’m not very good at keeping in touch. Her name is Alea. 5 girls. I love it though. She is adored and the sisters love her so much. Take care.
Love, love, LOVE it! Everything you do is so cute! You never cease to amaze me. I am inspired by all that you do. I love Thanksgiving and the traditions that we do in our home. But most of all I love the chance to pause and think of my blessings and show gratitude for them! Love the cute banner-I’ve been wanting to make a birthday one!
Love the banner and I do love Thanksgiving. This year it will be spent taking a group to the Holy land!
I love Thanksgiving! But usually it gets overlooked up until a day or two before. I am trying to incorporate it into our lives a little more this year though! Your banners are beautiful. I seriously can’t figure out how you do all that you do.