The very first Thanksgiving, as we know it in our American history was in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The 53 surviving pilgrims, after their first year in the new world, celebrated their first successful harvest; with help from the Native Americans who taught them how to grow crops on their land and how to properly catch fish. There wasn’t a true national holiday of Thanksgiving as recognized by all the states until 1863, when President Lincoln declared the ‘day of thanks’ to be held each year in November.
While only here one day of the year, Thanksgiving decor can be brought to life the day after Halloween. Turkeys, pumpkins and amazing fall leaves are what we look for, but sometimes what we really want can be difficult to find. At Sturbridge Yankee Workshop we have collected a handful of our harvest themed items that we know will coordinate well in your country home. From the simplest of accents to gorgeous framed prints, Thanksgiving is going to look great this year.
Simple Accents
It’s the simple things that can add to your holiday decor. With these items it makes harvest decorating easy! Let’s start with our Autumn Wreath. A smart choice for adding festive flare to any wall or door, this wreath includes Indian corn, quince slices, dried wheat, maple leaves, natural wheat, flax, millet yarrow, and safflower all on a twig base.
If your looking for a quick and simple fix to your tablescape, consider these two items. Our Wheat Candle Holders, showing off a tall bundle of wheat, are tied in a bow and finished with an antique bronze finish; these candle holders feel vintage and sophisticated. Pictured here to the left, is our Turkey Wagon Centerpiece, featuring primitive colors of red, green and brown. The hollowed out pumpkin can be used to hold your favorite wrapped candies or nuts.
Inspiring Signs
Our nostalgic, pine wood signs will be a breath of fresh air this harvest season. A rust background with a crackled finish gives our Bountiful Sign a vintage feel and the mustard yellow frame completes the look. The next pine wood signs are handcrafted in the USA and offer a colonial inspired look. Our Friends Gather Here Sign, displays rich black, hand painted lettering atop a distressed mustard background. Though the message is symbolic for Thanksgiving, it’s perfect to hang year round. Our Happy Thanksgiving Sign is short and sweet. Evoking quality cursive writing against a burnt orange base, this sign is a great way to greet your guests for the big dinner.
Framed Prints
We know you love the many exquisitely painted framed prints by our well known artists. Here we offer three autumn themed prints that will become the focal point of any room.
Our Autumn Gold’s Print, pictured here to the right, is a watercolor print by artist John Stevens. A solemn late fall afternoon of leaves blowing in the wind and a pumpkin display, is bordered by a frame made to appear as distressed walnut. Next is our Autumn Solitude Print, by artist Doug Henry. A historic New England barn with rich foliage in the distance, takes center stage while one lone cow stands watch. Another print by Doug Henry features a classic New England church nestled among lovely old farmhouses at the base of a hill. Our Autumn Waits River Print has a textured finish to highlight the breathtaking fall leaves. All of our framed prints listed here are made in the USA.
For more harvest and Thanksgiving decorating ideas at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, click here.
