As a craft enthusiast, I always look forward to Thanksgiving. It’s a time for family, food, and of course, festive decorations! But did you know that the tradition of the presidential turkey pardon offers a fun and engaging way to bring some crafty creativity to your Thanksgiving celebrations?
A Brief History of the Presidential Turkey Pardon
The image of the President of the United States pardoning a turkey is now a cherished Thanksgiving tradition, but its origins are surprisingly murky. While many believe Harry Truman began the tradition, he, along with President Eisenhower, actually had quite an appetite for the birds!
It was President Abraham Lincoln who performed the first unofficial pardon, sparing a turkey at the behest of his son. However, it was President George H.W. Bush who formalized the turkey pardon in 1989, making it the spectacle we know and love today.
Bringing the Tradition Home with Crafts
Now, let’s talk about how we can incorporate this fun tradition into our own Thanksgiving festivities with some creative crafts!
1. Handprint Turkey Cards
Materials:
- Construction paper (brown, red, orange, yellow)
- Markers
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Trace your child’s hand on the brown construction paper and cut it out. This will be the turkey’s body.
- Cut out a small red wattle and an orange beak.
- Now, have your child trace their fingers on different colored construction paper to create the turkey’s feathers.
- Glue the wattle, beak, and googly eyes onto the handprint body.
- Finally, glue the colorful feathers onto the back of the handprint.
These adorable turkey cards are perfect for sending heartfelt Thanksgiving greetings to family and friends.
2. Pin the Pardon on the Turkey
This fun twist on a classic party game is sure to bring laughter to your Thanksgiving gathering.
Materials:
- Large poster board
- Markers
- Construction paper (red, orange, brown)
- Tape
- Blindfold
Instructions:
- Draw a large turkey on the poster board. Leave out the wattle.
- Cut out a wattle from red construction paper.
- Write “PARDONED!” on the wattle.
- Blindfold each participant, spin them around a few times, and let them try to pin the “PARDONED!” wattle onto the turkey.
3. DIY Turkey Decorations
Unleash your creativity by crafting unique turkey decorations using a variety of materials.
- Pine Cone Turkeys: Gather pine cones of different sizes and transform them into charming turkeys using felt, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners.
- Sock Puppet Turkeys: Give old socks a new life by turning them into whimsical turkey puppets. Use buttons, yarn, and fabric scraps for embellishments.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. The possibilities for Thanksgiving turkey crafts are endless, limited only by your imagination!
Conclusion
The presidential turkey pardon is a lighthearted tradition that reminds us to be thankful for the simple joys in life. By incorporating crafty interpretations of this tradition into our own celebrations, we can create lasting memories and spread festive cheer.
So, this Thanksgiving, gather your loved ones, unleash your creativity, and enjoy the fun of crafting your own Thanksgiving turkey crafts. Don’t forget to share your creations with us at Robert Kline Art. We’d love to see them! Happy crafting and Happy Thanksgiving!