Setting your Thanksgiving Table

With Pinterest these days, there's plenty of eye candy for Thanksgiving tablescapes and no shortage of ideas. From painted pumpkins, tall hurricane lanterns, pretty napkin folds, containers of gourds -- there are just so many ideas and ways you can set a beautiful table this Thanksgiving.  Which will you choose? 

 Image sources: Pumpkins from Your Cozy Home / Candle Table from Better Homes and Gardens

Overall, we like a clean and uncluttered look that's pretty simple. With all that food making, it's hard to go all out on the table design, too! One of the things we love is personalized entertaining goods for this holiday.  More Than Paper has a huge selection of personalized napkins, placemats, bowls, plates, serving dishes, and favor stickers.  Check out some of our favorites! 

 Find these pieces at More Than Paper and use them this season to set your holiday table! 

Pine Cone Personalized Guest Towel by Boatman Geller / Yellow Turkey Placemat by Kelly Hughes Designs / Brown Turkey Placemat by Spark & Spark / Fall Leaves Placemat by Spark & Spark / Brown Favor/Gift Sticker by Boatman Geller / Turkey Sticker by Sugar Cookie Cards / Brown Damask Sticker by Boatman Geller / Fall Leaves Plate by Spark & Spark

Thanksgiving Cards

This year, instead of waiting until the last minute for Christmas or Hanukkah, wouldn't it be fun to send a Thanksgiving greeting card instead? Stand out from your friends and family and do something different. Surprise them by being early with your picture perfect, wonderful holiday greeting and sentiment. More Than Paper has a wide selection of adorable Thanksgiving greeting cards, and photo greetings, too! Today we are here to share our favorites.

We love this traditional, fall looking photo card by Spark & Spark.

Try this 3 image "Happy Thanksgiving" with a more whimsical style. Perfect fall colors! 

Very popular this year are cards with full picture bleeds. The card is mostly the photo with just simple text overlaid.  We love the simplicity. Make sure you have a very good photo for this one! 

We love the bold and graphic nature of this one below by Spark & Spark. Happy Thanks Giving really stands out and there's plenty of space for a photo. 

We love this cutesy design, too! The graphic of the turkey is adorable, as is the font. 

All of these cards have matching return address labels, too. They add an extra special touch to your Thanksgiving cards. Don't miss them! 

So even if you don't choose to replace your holiday cards this year with a Thanksgiving card, consider ordering just a few. Try 12, 25, or 50 and sending them to close friends and family! A little thanksgiving cheer will really brighten their day.  Shop now at More Than Paper! 

European Vacation

Have you ever dreamed of taking a European vacation? Maybe you've been once or twice before but you are dying to go back. Or you're ready to explore an entirely new city. Where would you go? What would you do? At More Than Paper, we've been doing some research (and planning of our own upcoming vacation!) and developed a European Destination Quick Guide.  Through hours of research, we've narrowed it down to 5 cities that are top on our list. See if you agree or if they entice you at all! 

1. Amsterdam - Toss aside any prejudice you may have about this city for its Red Light District or laws on marijuana. Amsterdam is home to incredible museums --  from The Van Gough, Rijksmusuem (home to more than 8,000 works including Rembrandt and Ver Meer) and the Stedelijk Museum. Tour the Anne Frank House, the beautiful windmills of the countryside, or the expansive canals. Experience a true Heineken and learn about the brewery by taking the informative tour (a popular destination spot for non-drinkers, too!) 

2. Prague - An entirely different vacation experience, immerse yourself in incredible culture unlike others before. Spend time touring the Prague Castle, Old Town Square, Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock. Explore traditional pub food and drinks. 

3. Barcelona - See incredible architecture at the Gaudi and the quintessential Gothic Cathedral. Explore art at the Picasso museum and works of Miro. Indulge in tapas, seafood and red wine.  A late night party city, consider hitting the town for a late dinner and drinks into in the evening at one of the fabulous night clubs - many known for indie rockers and live music. 

4. Paris - See the Eiffel Tour, tour the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Pompidou (modern art museum), Musee de l'Orangerie (filled with works of Monet's Water Lilies!), the Arc de Triomphe, shopping on the Champs Elysse... we could go on.  There's nothing quite like french food either. 

5. Florence - Speaking of food....the only place topping France in food is Italy.You must visit the Duomo, Michelangelo museum, Accademia Gallery, Uffizi museum, and Palazzo Vecchio. There are dozens of eateries not to be missed, you might find yourself eating much of the time you are there! 

So which one sparks your travel interest? Where will you go first? 

When you've decided, your tickets are purchased and it's time to go, check out More Than Paper's essentials for packing your bags! These must have items are sure to make that long plane ride better and keep you in style. 

Travel Neck Pillow / iPad / iPad case by Boatman Geller / Evian hydrating facial spray / Gone Girl Book / Vogue Magazine / Louis Vuitton Travel Roller / Cosmetic Case / Laptop Carry On 

Bon Voyage! 

Halloween for Adults

Halloween isn't just for the kids, you know. Plenty of adults all over the country get into the spooky and cute holiday, too!  And why not? With all the great costumes for adults, creative food and drink and entertaining options, it's really just another excuse to throw a great party.  Of course, More Than Paper has you covered with invitations, party accessories and ideas for food and drink for your adults-only Halloween party. This year, make it about the party (and not about the kids trick or treating!) 

We can't get enough of this creepy vintage skeleton invitation or this martini glass halloween cocktail party invitation.  We found this appetizer on Pinterest -- they are whole wheat witch fingers from Texan Erin Baking -- and had to share it with our readers. Can you believe those?! 

Get festive with your invitations or party favors and order some personalized address/favor stickers (shop a variety of choices found here!) Don't forget the napkins, too! (Customize them for Halloween, Fall, or Thanksgiving!)  Need some costume ideas? Head over to Party City where we found this flapper girl. 

For this drink with a fake spider and blood, head on over to Shape Magazine's website for the recipe and other fun and funky Halloween drink ideas!  

Happy Halloween, Adults! 

Unique Holiday Greeting Cards

Every holiday season, there seems to be a struggle to stand out when sending your holiday cards. Sometimes they all run together, and they all look the same (maybe they are the same!)  If you really want to try something different -- and we mean truly different -- More Than Paper has some great ideas here for you today. These are non-traditional holiday cards that will really knock your socks off!

One trend we are seeing is to go totally out of the box and consider a jigsaw puzzle card or even a crossword puzzle style card. This "connect the dots" card is also really fun and different. 

Still not different enough? We also love the hanging snowman/snowflake.  The card opens up to a beautifully cut snowflake that the recipient can hang. Your card doubles as their decoration!  Try a card with reindeer glasses, too! Little recipients will love wearing them.  We even have a 3-D glasses card that's great for sending along New Year's wishes! 

We adore this lotto ticket card!  It is interactive (your family and friends get to scratch off your wishes!) and would go well if you want to include a holiday gift of real lottery tickets to friends and family as well!  For our personal favorite, we just can't get enough of the card shaped as a cup, with an hot cocoa mix inside. (Yes, that's real hot cocoa!)  

So if you are tired of the same old - same old, look no further than these options! You are sure to stand out from the crowd.  Hop on over to shop holiday cards now at More Than Paper.

Hiring a Professional Photographer

You should be proud of yourself! No more bad Santa-selfie or "just-a minute-too-soon" timed photos. Not this year. You finally came to your senses and decided to hire a professional photographer for your holiday cards. And maybe this year you'll even get to ordering your holiday cards before Thanksgiving! More Than Paper is here today with a few tips on how to hire a professional photographer and great ideas for your holiday cards this 2014. 

A professional can take your ideas and turn them into a photograph that you'll not only want to see on a card, but also your friends and families will enjoy and treasure.  Now you have to decide what you want and who will do it.

First, think about the subject. Are you featuring a new child, your family members, a new pet, or new home?  Then, consider what you want to convey: a joyful greeting, heart-warming emotion, or friendly communication?  Or are you aiming for all-out laughs. Try to suit your personality. Or, for fun, do something completely out of character. Once you zero in on the subjects and sentiment, think about the type of photograph you like: candid or posed; formal or casual; natural outdoor setting, inside your home, or in the studio?  Color, black and white, or sepia? Digital or film? Props, costumes, color-coordinated outfits, or really ridiculous holiday sweaters? The photographer can also help you make these decisions and steer you toward a memorable result.

                                              

Set your budget and start looking for photographers who do the kind of work you like. As usual, ask friends or family members for recommendations, but do check out the photographer's work yourself. Look at an online or physical portfolio, meet them in person, and ask about the number of images, prices, and packages (there will be a big difference in both the quality and cost of your cards if the photographer handles the printing versus creating the cards yourself).  Also ask if you can have, or purchase, the digital image for other uses, such as a home portrait or for gifts. Check that the contract reflects this information.

Remember to ask how much time will be allowed.  This is a busy time for photographers, but you don't want to be rushed in the photo session -- or when sending out your cards. Book your session as soon as possible and confirm the appointment shortly beforehand. Then relax, revel in the season, and smile!

Here are some of our favorites at More Than Paper! 

Be sure to shop our digital holiday card collection with hundreds of new styles by clicking here! 

Weekend Activities with Kids

Want to spend some 'quality' time with kids on the weekends? You know, something that doesn't involve texting, gaming, or a screen of any type? More Than Paper is here today to bring you plenty of ideas for family weekend fun. 

Get yourselves outdoors!           

Play catch or wiffle ball. Get them little golf clubs and practice a little yourself. Show them -- or let them show you -- some soccer moves. Do tumbling. Try to do cartwheels. Make a pile of leaves and jump in. Ride bikes. Just being together outdoors and giving them your undivided attention can mean the world to children. 

Explore the neighborhood.

Take a nice long walk. Show the kids flowers and trees and look up their names. Gather interesting stones and leaves. We love this FREE Scavenger Hunt Printable by The Bird Feed NYC.  Print it out and hunt right in your backyard. 

Find local events.

Check listings for your area to find corn or hay mazes, haunted houses, pumpkin and apple farms, or festivals.  Go to the local zoo, marina, petting farm, lake, or wildlife preserve. Learn the names and habits of animals, birds, and fish. Try horseback riding. Or go to a farmers market together. At More Than Paper, we have such fun every Fall picking apples with our children! 

Photo from Let The Kids Dress Themselves 

Get a little culture.

Take them to art, science, or maritime museums. Most have special programs for kids. Explore art galleries and ask their opinions on the art. Find weekend concerts, children's theaters, or dance programs.  If you're in or nearby a city, take them on an architectural tour. Gather a little history ahead of time, and point out special buildings and features. Ask about their favorites.

Stuck indoors? Cook!

Make cookies, wrap them up nicely, and deliver them to neighbors. Or, plan and cook a special meal. Let the kids help decide what to make and who to invite. Give them appropriate jobs in the process. Together, write out menus and placecards.  Let them be creative in choosing dishes, placemats, and napkins as they set the table.

Make something.

Take photos or collect items from where you go. When you get home, or on another day, work together to make cards, scrapbooks, or collages out of the photos, leaves, drawings of what you saw. Head on over to Mad In Crafts, one of our favorite bloggers, who is always making something for the kids or crafting with the kids! 

The most important thing is to do something active together. Play, learn, talk, and just be together this Fall!