The Family Tablecloth
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There are not many things much more fun than gathering around the table to enjoy a meal with family or friends. Over the holidays we visited my in-laws on their farm in North Carolina. I was happy to see this family tablecloth on the table when we arrived.
My mother-in-law began this in 1995. Every year, when we all gather together around the table, each family member who is present, with pencil in hand, adds a little more.
Sometimes it’s a poem about what happened that year.
Sometimes it’s a drawing. Or maybe it’s a simple outline of their hand.
Whatever the author chooses to add they sign their name and date it. Then, before the next holiday season arrives, Nanny needlepoints each mini artwork, readying the tablecloth for more. Nanny made the tablecloth from simple sheeting and attached red trim along the edge.
It’s been such fun to see it fill up over the years. The kids really get a kick out of looking back to what they had to say years ago. What a great idea. I hope we continue the tradition until there are no more white spaces left.
Do you have any cool traditions you’ve began with your family or friends?
What a simply splendid idea your mother-in-law had, and thank you so much for sharing it with us! If and when (??!!) I ever become a grandmother, I want to try this.
What a treasure. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year Amy! xoxox
I just LOVE this idea/tradition! Brilliant!!
What a special family keepsake that tablecloth already is!
This is an adorable idea! I absolutely love it… and what a wonderful tradition. 🙂
Oh how I LOVE that idea Amy! Just beautiful! What a piece of art to treasure for years to come!
Love the table cloth idea. It will hold such dear memories for years to come!!!
Amy, I love this. How charming! Thank you for sharing your family’s tradition….. Happy New Year, my dear!
LOVE, love, LOVE this, Amy!
One of the absolute coolest things I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen a lot 🙂
That is so sweet! Love that fun idea.
I love this.
Totally stealing this!!!!
Awesome, Amy! Thanks for sharing. Beautiful!
this is just lovely! So nostalgic and creative…:)
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
My sister does this for family birthday parties. We all sign when we are there each year. So fun!
This is such a great idea1 I wish I had heard about it when the kids were smaller – they draw more complex pictures now:) But, my mom is an artist and very good with crafts, so I’ll try to initiate this next time we visit. Thanks for the inspiration:)
This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Nanny is awesome as are all those bits of memorable art 🙂 Happy New Year!
That is the most precious idea I’ve ever seen – I love how it can be added to and then kept forever. Though I fear around my family it would soon be covered in disgusting food stains!
I love the tablecloth! I knew a family that had an old oak table in their kitchen and everyone carved their name/initials in it. This way wouldn’t ruin the table and would be more colorful, too!
Wow! What a great idea. I love these kinds of traditions. That tablecloth will be so meaningful for so many years. Love it!