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Free Printable Thanksgiving Recipes… from our family to yours!

November 7 By American Greetings

Free Printable Thanksgiving Recipes

With Thanksgiving fast approaching and the rest of the holiday season right around the corner, there will undoubtedly be many family get-togethers and friendly dinners you will be invited to, which means it’s time to start thinking of some new side dishes to share with the group! With this in mind, we decided to make some free printable Thanksgiving recipe cards featuring some of our American Greetings associates’ favorite family recipes.  We  tried to select a few that seemed equal parts delicious and easy to prepare!

1. Spicy Chicken Dip:

Spicy Chicken Dip Recipe

This comes to us from the kitchen of Christine Stefanick and is a surefire winner during pre-dinner appetizers or any of the many football games thoughout the day! Click here to download and print the full-size, double-sided recipe card.

2. Squash Casserole:

Squash_Casserole_Recipe_Card_Front

We’re sure you’ve had squash casserole before, but this one adds in two of our favorite things in an amazing way–bread stuffing and cheese! To view the full recipe card and print it for yourself, click here: Baked Squash Casserole Printable Recipe Card. This tasty recipe is courtesy of American Greetings associate Dana Hunt!

3. Better Than Waldorf Salad:

Waldorf_Salad_Recipe_Card_Front
From the kitchen of Sue Tischler, this upgraded Waldorf Salad recipe adds pineapple, cherries, and marshmallow cream to create a delightful side dish that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Download and print the full recipe card here!

What’s your favorite family recipe? We’d love to hear in the comments!

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Filed Under: Export, Recipes, Thanksgiving Tagged With: free printable thanksgiving recipes, free thanksgiving recipes, Thanksgiving Recipes

Printable Thanksgiving Place Setting Cards

October 20 By American Greetings

Thank goodness for Thanksgiving! We all get so caught up in the daily busy-ness of life that it’s easy to sideline what matters most, which is why Thanksgiving is so special. It makes us stop and take note of what truly matters in our lives. That’s why we created these special printables for you to cut out and set at each place-setting on your Thanksgiving table. There are four different place setting templates to choose from. Simply decide which style you like best and click on the link under the image to download and print your cards!

Traditionally place cards suggest a larger formal sit down dinner; however place cards can be used to add a special touch to any casual get together as well! They are the first thing your guest will see when they sit down, so why not have some fun and set the tone for your festivities!

As guests arrive, point them to their Thanksgiving place setting cards and invite them to fill out what they’re thankful for as they mingle and enjoy appetizers or cocktails. Then, whether you decide to do it as part of the blessing, before the meal, or afterwards, go around the table and have everyone share what they wrote. Hearing all the many reasons for which people are grateful reminds us to cherish all we have and, more importantly, who we have to share it with.

printable thanksgiving place setting cards

Printable Place Setting Cards

Version 1 / Version 2 / Version 3 / Version 4

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Filed Under: Printable, Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 25 By American Greetings

OverTheRive_fromAG

With tens of millions of people hitting the roads, railways and sky this week to be with their loved ones, the nostalgia-tinged ecard “Home for Thanksgiving,” is a certainly a fitting way to send a holiday hello.

Even though today, it’s planes and fast moving cars that carry us home, the greeting, set in 19th Century rural America, resonates with 21st Century travelers for a few simple reasons. The speed, modes of transportation, and even the scenery may have changed, but the pilgrimage we undergo to reunite with our people is still part of who we are today.  As the soundtrack of the card suggests, “Over the River, and Through the Woods…”

From all of us at American Greetings–safe travels, and Happy Thanksgiving!

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Filed Under: Thanksgiving

Vintage Thanksgiving Cards

November 19 By American Greetings

Vintage Thanksgiving Cards 

As the Thanksgiving holiday gets closer and we swap favorite recipes for stuffing and pie, our thoughts are full of family, friends, and feelings of gratitude. As part of your preparations, you may have already picked out a few Thanksgiving cards to connect with loved ones far and wide. We’re in that mode, too!

Plus, nostalgia got the better of us this year and we went in search of some favorite cards from the archives to see how thankfulness was passed around years ago. We hope you enjoy these vintage Thanksgiving cards as much as we do–the art of being grateful and saying ‘thanks’ never goes out of style, does it?

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1900A

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1900B

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1910A

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1910B

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1920

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1930A

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1930B

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1940B

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1950A

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1950B

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1960A

AG_IG_Vintage_Thanksgiving_1960B

 

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Filed Under: Thanksgiving Tagged With: Thanksgiving cards, vintage Thanksgiving cards

What to write in a Thanksgiving card

November 17 By American Greetings

What to write in a thanksgiving card

Between the festivities of Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving can sometimes feel like an afterthought. So often, the real meaning of the holiday gets lost in the rush of cheering for football games — and the challenge to determine once and for all just exactly how much turkey (and stuffing, and gravy) a person can eat.

But Thanksgiving shouldn’t feel like an afterthought. It’s a day dedicated to acknowledging the people who make a difference to us every day. It’s a chance to stop taking the best things in our lives for granted. And what better way to say “thank you” than with a Thanksgiving card?

Of course, it can be hard to find the words to express what so often goes unspoken. If you’ve ever wanted a little help when crafting your personal message of thanks, you’re in luck! Read on for a few helpful tips and suggestions for what to write in a Thanksgiving card.

Reach out

Take advantage of the opportunity to re-establish and strengthen connections. Even a simple wish lets someone know you’re thinking about them.

  • “So grateful to know someone like you.”
  • “Lucky to have met you.”
  • “Glad to have you in my life.”
  • “So happy to call you my friend.”

Make it personal

Think of something about your intended recipient that’s unique to your relationship. What do they inspire in you that nobody else does? Use this holiday to tell someone exactly what they mean to you.

  • “I don’t know who I’d be without you.”
  • “You’ve changed my world for the better.”
  • “I wouldn’t be the same without you.”
  • “You’re such an important part of my life.”

Keep it simple

It doesn’t have to be a grandiose action to be meaningful. What seems like a small gesture can actually make someone’s day — whether it’s something someone did for you, or you thanking them for it later.

  • “I bet you thought I wouldn’t notice, but I did.”
  • “I can’t tell you what that means to me.”
  • “People don’t say thanks enough, so I’m saying it now.”
  • “I’m so grateful for what you did.”

Be specific

Sometimes it’s okay to throw a “thanks for all you do” out there, but expressing gratitude for someone’s specific actions or influence on you, no matter how big or small, will create a more memorable experience for you both.

  • “I’ll always be thankful for the time…”
  • “You might not remember, but I’ll never forget…”
  • “I may not have thanked you at the time, but…”
  • “How do I know I’ll always be grateful for you? It’s because…”

Now that you have a few tools under your belt, just remember: the most important thing when writing out your card is that it comes from your heart. If you make sure to write down why you’re thankful and what you genuinely feel for that person, you’re on the right track!

It’s one thing to feel thankful, but truly showing gratitude takes it to a whole new level! That’s why, at American Greetings, we created the #ThankList movement. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to take that extra step and publicly acknowledge the people who have made the most difference in your life and shaped you as a person.

Tell us in the comments below who your biggest motivators, inspirations, and supporters are. Who are you most grateful for in your life?

Let it inspire you to spread gratitude and appreciation throughout the year!

Kelsey Rubenking is a five-year veteran of American Greetings and comes from a long line of greeting card enthusiasts. She believes that making connections with other human beings, whether friends, family, or strangers, is the most positive and rewarding thing you can do, for yourself and for others — and how better to do it than with social expressions? This Thanksgiving, she’s grateful for love, clarity, hope, and community — especially the community that gives her a chance to share this message with you!

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Filed Under: Thanksgiving, What to write

Ideas for Expressing Gratitude this Thanksgiving

November 24 By American Greetings

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

This week, we are just bursting with gratitude for all of the blessings we’ve received throughout the year and excited to get to spend the holiday weekend in the company of family and friends. In honor of Thanksgiving, we pulled together some amazing, crafty (but simple!) ways to express your gratitude this year.

1. Free Thanksgiving printable place setting cards

Free Thanksgiving printable from BlueMountain.com

This beautiful set of place setting cards from our sister site, BlueMountain.com, offers 4 different designs to choose from to customize to your Thanksgiving tablescape design. Visit their blog to view and print their free “I am Thankful For…” printables.

2. The thankful tree

Thankful Tree from Simply Vintagegirl

We loved this idea from Simply Vintagegirl to cut out various patterns of scrapbook paper into small circular designs and use a hole-punch to create the hanging hook. Gather some branches from the yard and have your guests write what they’re thankful for this year and place their happy sentiment on the tree.

3. (More!) Free Thanksgiving printables

Free Thanksgiving Printables from Cardstore.com

With these free Thanksgiving printables from another one of our sister sites, Cardstore.com, you can customize and print your entire Thanksgiving menu, as well as a place card and thankful card. They’ve also included a napkin ring and feather detail that you can print!

4. Thumbprint thankful tree

Thankful Thumbprint Tree from Little Page Turners

We loved reading about this twist on the wedding thumbprint trend. While doing leaf prints with her kids, Little Page Turners decided to make a thumbprint thankful tree with her kids. Have your guests add their thumbprints upon their arrival for Thanksgiving dinner and you’ll have an amazing keepsake to remind you of the happy holiday you spent together!

5. “I am thankful for…” pumpkin craft

Thankful Pumpkin by The Moffatt Girls

This simple construction paper craft from The Moffatt Girls doesn’t take a lot of time, but the results is an adorable 3-D design that can also double as a dinner placecard!

6. Thankful jar with metallic rocks

Thankful Jar with Metallic Rocks from One She Two She

This thankful jar from Anne at One She Two She is a simple way to collect what everyone is grateful this year and display it throughout the year. We loved not only the design on the jar, but how pretty the metallic river rocks looked inside of it!

Do you have a creative way that you’ll be expressing your gratitude this Thanksgiving? We’d love to hear your ideas!

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Filed Under: Export, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Thanksgiving crafts, Thanksgiving printables

Top 5 Black Friday Shopping Tips

November 29 By American Greetings

How to survive Black Friday

Get your credit cards at the ready! Here we go–another round of Black Friday mayhem is about to commence!

There’s just something about the magical phrase “70-percent off” that sends humans into a crazed state of frenzy, so if you’re one of the brave souls heading out (or camping out) into the wee hours today, here are some helpful Black Friday shopping tips for surviving the shopping day to end all shopping days.

  1. What to wear Leave the stilettos at home– this is no time for high fashion. You gotta’ wear your comfortable, all-day-traction trekkers to stay ahead of the black Friday race (or even–dare we say it?!) Crocs with socks!
  2. Sustenance: Munch early and often; the last thing you want is to become hungry, dehydrated and irritable and lose valuable shopping energy. Keep a water bottle and snacks in your purse, or deck yourself out with one of those hat helmets with straws for hands-free sippin.’
  3. Buddy System: Shop with a friend! A buddy can take your place in line in you have to go to the bathroom, OR you can wear an adult diaper so you can hold your place in line while not having to hold your bladder. No one will know, and who cares—you just scored 80% off; that’s worth secretly peeing in your pants for. (We kid! We kid!)
  4. Know your territory: You might THINK you know the store layout, but on a day as huge as this, big ticket items often get moved to the end of aisles or put up closer to the front, so make sure you keep your eyes moving as you make your mad dash thru the store or you just might miss out on the deal you slept all night in a parking lot for.
  5. Get Appy: The last thing you want is to lug your huge flat screen to the curb and have no idea where you parked your car. Use a GPS car-locator app so you’re not stumbling around a crowded parking lot. Or better yet—have your buddy meet you curbside for easy loading of all your goodies.

Most importantly—keep calm, be kind and carry on shopping!

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Filed Under: Thanksgiving, Tips Tagged With: Black Friday, black friday shopping tips, Black Friday tips

Top 5 Black Friday Shopping Tips

November 25 By American Greetings

How to survive Black Friday

Get your credit cards at the ready! Here we go–another round of Black Friday mayhem is about to commence!

There’s just something about the magical phrase “70-percent off” that sends humans into a crazed state of frenzy, so if you’re one of the brave souls heading out (or camping out) into the wee hours today, here are some helpful Black Friday shopping tips for surviving the shopping day to end all shopping days.

  1. What to wear Leave the stilettos at home– this is no time for high fashion. You gotta’ wear your comfortable, all-day-traction trekkers to stay ahead of the black Friday race (or even–dare we say it?!) Crocs with socks!
  2. Sustenance: Munch early and often; the last thing you want is to become hungry, dehydrated and irritable and lose valuable shopping energy. Keep a water bottle and snacks in your purse, or deck yourself out with one of those hat helmets with straws for hands-free sippin.’
  3. Buddy System: Shop with a friend! A buddy can take your place in line in you have to go to the bathroom, OR you can wear an adult diaper so you can hold your place in line while not having to hold your bladder. No one will know, and who cares—you just scored 80% off; that’s worth secretly peeing in your pants for. (We kid! We kid!)
  4. Know your territory: You might THINK you know the store layout, but on a day as huge as this, big ticket items often get moved to the end of aisles or put up closer to the front, so make sure you keep your eyes moving as you make your mad dash thru the store or you just might miss out on the deal you slept all night in a parking lot for.
  5. Get Appy: The last thing you want is to lug your huge flat screen to the curb and have no idea where you parked your car. Use a GPS car-locator app so you’re not stumbling around a crowded parking lot. Or better yet—have your buddy meet you curbside for easy loading of all your goodies.

Most importantly—keep calm, be kind and carry on shopping!

 

What’s your best Black Friday shopping tip? Tell us in the comments or tweet us @amgreetings!

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Filed Under: Thanksgiving, Tips Tagged With: Black Friday, black friday shopping, black friday shopping tips

Our Great Holiday Debate: Do you ‘Respect the Turkey?’

November 25 By American Greetings

Respect the Turkey
The minute those Jack-o-lanterns are extinguished, it seems that it’s become the beginning of an all-out merrymaker showdown between Thanksgiving and Christmas!

In one corner, we have the sound of witches cackling spinning on their heels and transforming magically into strains of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.” In the opposing corner, the hunt for one’s favorite Halloween candy quickly shifts to a seriously-focused itinerary of looking for just the right turkey, cranberries, and those crunchy fried onions for the ever-popular Thanksgiving string-bean casserole.

With the holidays approaching earlier and earlier each year, these two sides fuel the great debate about “respecting the turkey” and giving Thanksgiving its due diligence, or diving head-first into Tinseltown and all things twinkly.

So, where do you stand? Do you defiantly refuse to listen to the jingle jangle of Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving, thus giving Thanksgiving its rightful spot on the calendar? Or are you just so uber-excited to get your Christmas on that you blare those holiday tunes loud and proud and go to town decorating  like Buddy the Elf the minute October waves goodbye?

Let us know—we’ll be here waiting with a turkey leg in one hand and a candy cane in the other!

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Filed Under: Holidays, Thanksgiving Tagged With: #respecttheturkey, Christmas, Respect the turkey, Thanksgiving

A letter from Kathy Davis: Thanksgiving every day

November 21 By American Greetings

Find Kathy Davis cards in a store near you!

As I prepare to send my Thanksgiving greeting cards, I’m thinking about how much I love this special time of year! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, not just because of all the great food, but because it’s about Kathy Davis Everyday Card Set .  Lately, I’ve been trying to be a little more mindful about the idea of gratitude, and I’m trying to be thankful every day.

Some of the things I’m thankful for right now? The blaze of mums blossoming and brightening the landscape. The amazing late afternoon sunsets and the harvest moon. Fresh picked apples and spiced wafers. Lighting candles and sitting by the fire on a chilly evening. And the anticipation of sharing the all-American holiday of Thanksgiving with our family.

One of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions is watching the parade. Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the oldest one in America! Our parade dates back to 1920, and it’s a great event – a visual feast filled with imaginative floats, giant balloons, marching bands and of course, celebrities.

And every year when our family gathers for Thanksgiving dinner — before we carve the turkey and dip into the cranberry sauce — each person at the table says a few words about what he or she is thankful for. It’s a great tradition, because for me, it always provides inspiration to think about the blessings I may have forgotten to appreciate.

Wishing each one of you an abundance of Thanksgiving blessings!

What are your favorite family traditions at Thanksgiving?

– Kathy Davis

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Filed Under: Holidays, Kathy Davis, Mood Boards, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Happy Thanksgiving, Kathy Davis, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving cards

Give Thanks Quote

November 19 By American Greetings

Thanksgiving Quote

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. – Native American Saying. Happy Thanksgiving from American Greetings.

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Filed Under: Holidays, Quotes, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Inspirational Quote, Thanksgiving Quote

Thanksgiving Preparation Tips…

November 16 By American Greetings

Happy Thanksgiving

Holidays are filled with food and fun, but when you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, it can be overwhelming.  We’d like to share some ideas for Thanksgiving to make the occasion less stressful, and give you more time to enjoy the day.  And we also included some helpful hints for your guests:

Create a countdown calendar to stay organized.   Make a list of what you need to do each day. Include things such as shopping, cleaning and decorating—as well as taking a little time for yourself.

Work on your grocery list early.  There’s no way to avoid crowds at the grocery store this week, but if you make a detailed list first that focuses on your recipes, shopping will be a snap!  Also consider purchasing a few gourmet-prepared foods to make cooking easier.

Plan out your cleaning time. Family members can be a big help here, or if a close guest asks how they can help, why not suggest a pre-holiday “cleaning and coffee” get-together?

Simplify your decorating.   Make nature’s bounty the perfect accent by creating your own version of a cornucopia in a basket filled with luscious fruit, dried flowers and colorful leaves. Or spray leaves and pinecones with glitter shellac and arrange them around deep red and orange candles. Check out sites like Pinterest for amazing inspiration, too.

Make a detailed schedule for food preparation.  Counting backwards for your Thanksgiving feast will let you know just how much time each item needs for preparation and cooking, and you’ll be able to devote the time in between to socializing with your guests.

Remember guest etiquette.   If you’re the guest this year, definitely find out what you can bring, but also remember not to crowd in the kitchen, and always help with cleanup.  Be sure to send a thoughtful thank you note afterwards, too.

Give thanks!  Finally, no matter what your beliefs, it’s nice to say a few words of gratitude before the meal.  After all, this day is about being thankful for life’s gifts.

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Filed Under: Holidays, Recipes, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Thanksgiving Decorating, Thanksgiving Hints, Thanksgiving Preparation, Thanksgiving quotes, Thanksgiving Recipes

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