Decorating ideas for a family Thanksgiving

My dear husband, mother, and I are beginning the plans for a large family Thanksgiving.  At this time our Thanksgiving celebrations will be busy with all the family coming in.  Eleven family members plan to come in for the weekend add us and that is a total of seventeen around the table (we may have to have a kids table this year).  So I am looking for inspiration to make the table more memorable and maybe even kick off some new family traditions.

This place card has the Thanksgiving menu on it, but I think I like the idea better of putting individual scriptures or poems to be read out loud before saying grace.

I thought this was a beautiful idea for a centerpiece,

the photographs would really be a celebration of the family ancestry.

I loved this idea from Countryliving.com.  On strips of paper, write quotes or phrases. Fasten strip at end with double-sided tape, so it is slightly smaller than the glass's circumference; place on each glass. Invite guests, when seated, to read quote aloud

This fantastic Ribbon Napkin Holder idea is also from Countryliving.com.  Stamp a message and design on cardstock, punch holes on either side, and thread with a coordinating ribbon to create custom napkin holders

I love this table setting it is simple, warm, and says welcome.

Finally, this great idea for a kid friendly project/appetizer from Disney's Family Fun magazine:

Ingredients

Bosc pear (head)
Melon (body)
Cheese (beak and tail feathers)
Red pepper (snood, feet and side feathers)
Raisins (eyes)
Grapes (tail feathers)
Bamboo skewers
Toothpicks

Instructions
1.  Stabilize the melon body by cutting a shallow slice off the rind to form a flat base. Using a section of bamboo skewer, attach a Bosc pear head to the melon, as shown.
2.  Cut a cheese triangle beak and red pepper snood. Attach both, along with raisin eyes, to the head with sections of toothpick.
3.  Cut red pepper feet and set them in place. For tail feathers, skewer cheese cubes and red grapes, then insert the skewers as shown. Pin pepper side feathers in place with toothpicks.

I pray your Thanksgiving preperations and celebrations are everything you hope them to be!