We came across this lovely little idea for Thanksgiving while we were researching homemade hostess gifts. This is a snack mix designed just for Thanksgiving, with each little treat symbolizing a different aspect of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The dried fruit, for instance, symbolizes the bounty of the land, while M&Ms symbolize memories of those who have gone before us. Candy corn and popcorn stand in for the Pilgrims, and Bugle snacks look like a cornucopia.
We really love this idea. Little bags of this snack mix could be a fun yet meaningful activity for kids on Thanksgiving, assembling each bag together and talking through the real meaning of the holiday. Thanksgiving represents such a great opportunity to talk about history and gratitude to those in the past who have made our own lives better, as well as the farmers who gave us the food we eat today.
We might switch up the mix a bit — perhaps put in more symbols and mentions of the Native Americans and First Nations and their histories?
What would you put in a Thanksgiving mix like this? It seems like a fun "favor" or treat for guests and a genuine opportunity to teach kids on Thanksgiving. If you want to make it yourself, you can also download a printable label for it over at Blonde Designs Blog, where we found this idea.
• Blessings Mix at Blonde Designs Blog
Related: Thanksgiving for Your Host! Hostess Gifts from the Kitchen
(Images: Blonde Designs Blog)
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I'm too cynical for a blessed snack mix. Sounds tasty though.
Man, seconded on the cynicism. Explaining the symbolic significance of Bugles and M&Ms seems kind of crass.
Yeah, I think it is pretty funny. I'd maybe do it, but make it even cheesier.
You know, there's something really sweet and simple about this idea. I agree about the Bugles and M&Ms being crass and the pretzels folded into prayer or whatever is way too much for me, but reworking this to talk about the First Nations people and figuring out how to get some beans and squash in the mix so you have the three sisters . . . any ideas?
This could easily be turned into something really cool.
I just can't stop laughing about the pretzels folded in prayer. I'm not laughing in a mean way. It's just so...well...it just doesn't make sense.
I'm fairly cynical and would have a hard time keeping a straight face with this. However, the shape of pretzels does originate from arms folded in prayer. Medieval monks in Germany (I believe) first made them. Bugles though? Seriously?
Ok, I'll stop laughing about the pretzels. Can I laugh about the M&Ms and our blessed future?
Oh bah humbug you guys, I think it is a sweet idea. I think it would be a nice project for kids to do. I thought it was a sweet idea but now you guys all scared me out of it, I don't want a bunch of cynics laughing at my gesture.
I would snicker at this. But I am kind of a jerk.
yea it's pretty cheesey...
the "sacrifices of the pilgrims"???
right, because the native americans had it so easy...
kchoun8 -- If you're non-cynical enough to like the idea, your friends are probably the same way. Or at the very least, polite enough to hold their laughter.
Anything, for any reason, that combines M&Ms, Bugles, Candy Corn and Popcorn works for me. Ahhhhh-men!
I agree with spraklepea (side note: spraklepea? seriously?)-- there is something sweet about this. I could see using this to teach some little guys about the holiday.
But then again, I don't have kids, so I was told on another post by a mother of four that I'm not allowed to have an opinion on those matters. ;)
Patrick, if we all had to refrain from offering opinions on matters with which we have little personal experience, how dull AT would be!
heather77--
That made me smile, after a day of getting beat up on AT yesterday (including getting scolded by an editor!) THANK YOU.
I know that the origin of pretzels, but I still think "Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country" is ridiculous, first because the settlement at Jamestown, which preceded Plymouth, was a money-making venture that had little to nothing to do with religion, and second because our founding fathers were not that religious. Don't even get me started on the Bugles and M&Ms. So no, I don't like this idea. I don't plan on whitewashing history or misleading my children. I do plan on teaching them the importance of being thankful and sharing food with friends and family, just not this way. And yes, I'm a cynic.
I don't even know what to post I'm so gobsmacked by the list of ingredients and lack of real history. Good idea? Maybe but I seriously question its execution.
Talk about blessings, I had one very recently, last week after having spent a few hours helping bag 2.5 tons of carrots at a food bank half an hour from my home - I left feeling good about it - but the real impact came when 2 days later I saw the food bank truck at a church just one mile from my home and a Very long line of people waiting for grocery filled bags. It was humbling, I find I'm even more grateful now for my job and situation, and my (little but useful) holiday bonus is destined for the food bank. I find that I can do without the lavish meal this year and will make just two of my favorite dishes to mark the passage of Thanksgiving.
Wow, these are some of the funniest comments I've seen on this site. I missed this post last year. I'd have to agree, though, I think I'd get laughed out of the house, but the IDEA of bringing together disparate items to explain a holiday is nice. I might, though, save it for Valentines Day :)