The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day

Over the river, and through the wood,
To grandfather’s house we go;
The horse knows the way,
To carry the sleigh,
Through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood,
To grandfather’s house away!
We would not stop
For doll or top,
For ‘t is Thanksgiving day.

~ Lydia Maria Child
(Read the entire poem here)

Traveling to “grandfather’s house”  is nothing new, as this time-honored poem, first published in 1844, reminds us.

Long before 1844, a group of immigrants traveled more than 3,000 miles to a new land where with help from their native neighbors allowed them to survive almost unbearable hardships and together forge a tradition still loved in this country.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving Day, 20 days from today, I’m reminded of that first Thanksgiving gathering in 1621. It was a gathering unlike any other. So remarkable that 395 years later, we continue in its tradition.

A group of 53 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans in Plymouth, Massachusetts forever changed the way we Americans would celebrate the fourth Thursday each November.

As we lead up to this most wonderful event, we’ll be sharing posts on ideas for the dinner itself, but today we wanted to inspire ideas on Giving the Gift of Thanksgiving to those around you.

Spiced Pecans Hostess Gift

A beautiful and useful gift, perfect for appetizers or sprinkled on autumnal salads or fall desserts.

Get the recipe here.

Harvest Cake Bites with Baking Dish

From the creators of the original Bundt pan, this fall-inspired non-stick baking dish creates adorable acorn, leaf, and pumpkin-shaped cakes. Plus, you can frost the shapes together to make 3-D treats. $35; surlatable.com

Thankful for Sweet Friends

Get the recipe and printable here.

Homemade Sweet Potato Biscuits

A thoughtful gift layered with a beautiful fall-themed napkin.

Get the recipe here.

Indian Corn Thanksgiving

“I can just see these waiting by the door to greet your guests before dinner or for them to take with them for the drive home.  If you stamp the tags with your guests’ names, they are the perfect place cards!”

Get the instructions here.

Mini Pies

These darling mini pies wrapped with a simple plaid ribbon would be such a treat to pass out among neighbors or guests leave your home after Thanksgiving.

Caramel Apple Cider Kit

“Caramel and apple are two of my favorite things. Put them together and it’s bliss! I thought it’d be fun to whip up a little Caramel Apple Cider gift for friends, family, teachers, etc for the fall.”

Get the instructions here.

Pecan Pumpkin Bread

For a charming fall gift, wrap a loaf of our moist Pecan-Pumpkin Bread in a pretty fall-inspired tea towel.

Get the recipe here.

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