Last Minute DIY Thanksgiving Decorations

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away! Do you have your decorations set? If not here's a list of easy, last-minute DIY decor ideas that range from elegant to rustic. Fill your home with a late-fall vibe that's sure to impress every person on your guest list. 

1. CHALKBOARD PUMPKINS 

Repurpose your leftover Halloween gourds by coating them with chalkboard paint and using them to highlight your Thanksgiving menu. 

2. SPICE TIN FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

Hit up your local thrift or vintage shop and grab some old spice tins that feature rich Autumn hues. Decorate the dinner table, dessert display, or living room with these bold, warm arrangements that lend a comforting, rustic feel. 

3. GILDED FRUIT CENTERPIECE

Elegant and modern, this centerpiece takes your table display up another level. Cover artificial pomegranates (found at your local craft store) with adhesive size and let dry until tacky. Apply sheets of copper leaf until covered and repeat. Display on a tray, cake plate, or in a decorative bowl. 

3. AUTUMN-INSPIRED CANDLEHOLDERS

Create easy fall displays with repurposed candleholders! Hit up your local vintage or thrift store for candleholders of miscellaneous shapes and sizes, spray paint black, and arrange small pumpkins or gourds on top. 

4. FILLED GLASS CONTAINERS 

Fill footed glass containers with fall-toned ribbons, nuts and beans. Embellish with bows, and arrange on a copper tray for a shiny and sophisticated finish. 

5. COZY VOTIVE HOLDERS

Wrap glass votive holders in three or four overlapping layers of corn husks and tie in place with a raffia ribbon. Slip in a guinea feather for added decorative flair.

6. PRINTABLE GIVE THANKS SIGN

Print this cute sign and throw it into a reclaimed wood frame for the easiest and cutest Thanksgiving decoration ever! 

Download here: https://bit.ly/2Fz0203

6. DIY PUMPKIN VASE 

Trade in the traditional glass vase for a faux pumpkin. 

Get the full tutorial here: https://bit.ly/2oEh41e 

7. THE THANKFUL TREE

Invite family and friends to write messages of thanks on paper leaf ornaments and tie them to branches anchored in a a sand-filled vase. Save the ornaments for a keepsake, or to discuss at next year's holiday meal.

8. THE ULTIMATE AUTUMN CENTERPIECE

Layer cornhusks on a glass cake plate and then arrange various gourds, pumpkins, leaves and decorative corn on top for the easiest centerpiece imaginable. 

9. THE PERFECT THANKSGIVING MANTEL 

Give your mantel an Autumn makeover that is way easier to pull together than it looks. Get all the tips from Midwest Living

Full tutorial here: https://bit.ly/2KaAy7T

What was your favorite DIY Thanksgiving decoration idea? If you give any of these a go, make sure you take pictures and tag us in them on social media. We love seeing your holiday decor. Happy Thanksgiving! 

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. 

DIY St. Patrick's Day Decorations

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.,–– May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May good luck pursue you each morning and night. St. Patrick's Day is here once again! Dress up in your best green-inspired outfit and feel the luck of the Irish by your side all day long. Throwing a St. Patty's Day bash this year? Don't forget the decorations! Get crafty with your decor by trying your hand at one of these DIY St. Patrick's Day decorations:

St. Patrick's Day Sign

Lucky Penny Letters

Shamrock Mason Jars

Shamrock Balloons

Spring Centerpiece W/ Green Mason Jars

St. Patrick's Day Wreath

Leprechaun Belt Party Cups

St. Patrick's Day Banners

Pot of Gold

Leprechaun Hats

Whether you're looking for something quick and easy to put together or something a bit more challenging, these DIY St. Patrick's Day decorations will get the party started! Stylish and green is the theme this year. Your friends and family will appreciate your sense of creativity. Going out this year instead? Make sure you remain safe behind the wheel. Before you hit the town, get your vehicle ready for the road by performing routine maintenance. Schedule an appointment with our service team if you're in need of an oil change, tire rotation, or any other basic service. Feel free to contact our friendly and helpful staff with any questions you have. Best of luck to you this St. Patty's Day!

Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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How to Plan the Perfect Halloween Party

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Are you hosting a get-together with friends or family this Halloween? If you want to really wow your guests this year, read on to discover how to plan the perfect Halloween party. You'll be able to create the spookiest surprise of October in no time! If you're on the hunt for go-to inspiration, follow our Pinterest page for everything Halloween and more!

Step 1: The Decorations

The first, and potentially most important step, is to plan out your decorations. Whether you're going for a truly spooky look or more of a family-friendly style, you'll want to make sure all of your decorations throughout your home match and fit the theme! Use a few of these tips to save yourself trouble while decorating:

• Decide on a Theme: What kind of get-together are you hosting? Harry Potter? Something spookier? Whatever you're doing, your theme will play a huge part in your decorations!
• Set the Scene: Keep in mind who's attending your Halloween party. If it's all adults, you can up the scare factor, but if you're hosting families, make sure it's not too scary!
• DIY: One of the most fun and creative ways to spruce up your home for Halloween is with DIY decorations. Create these fun and festive DIY decorations to save time and money this year. You can even get your kids to help you make them!
• Don't Forget the Front Porch: Give your guests a frightful introduction to your party by decorating your front porch and doorway. They'll be impressed from the moment they set foot in your driveway!

Step 2: The Food

Next, you'll want to prepare a few spooky snacks for your guests. While candy will certainly be on the menu in October, you'll want to make sure everyone is full and ready to take on the streets with snacks, entree dishes, and other tasty treats. Try these recipes to ease the stress of cooking this Halloween:

• Appetizers: Try a few of these Halloween appetizer recipes, like ghost bananas and Venus fly-trap apples to give your guests a spooky start to their holiday festivities at your party!
• Entree Dishes: Fill the stomachs of your partygoers with hot dog "fingers", "rat" spaghetti, or even spooky pizzas for a delicious burst of energy before trick-or-treating!
• Refreshments: For family-friendly refreshments, try making some spooky grave milkshakes, magic potion punch, or ogre eyes hot cocoa!
• Desserts: Kick up the fear factor with sweet treats like the ghostly s'more dip, Dracula dentures, or the creepily cute Jack-o-Lantern bowls!

Step 3: The Entertainment

No Halloween party is complete without some good old-fashioned fun and games! Bring some amazing and unique entertainment to life this year with music, games, contests, and more! You'll definitely want to give all of these suggestions a try at your next Halloween get-together:

• Host a Costume Contest: Make everyone dress their best for your party and put together a "panel" of judges to pick the best costume. The winner gets a prize!
• Pick a Great Halloween Playlist: You can't beat the music of Halloween. Create a Halloween playlist with everything from Monster Mash, to Thriller, and Ghostbusters this year!
• Plan Fun and Games: Plan a scavenger hunt, bob for apples, read fortunes, and paint faces for fun from dusk till dawn!
• Arts and Crafts: Hosting a party with younger guests? Set aside an arts and crafts table with a few projects and supplies that they can take home when the night has ended.

Now that you know how to plan the perfect Halloween party, your next event is sure to leave every one of your guests spooked and satisfied with their celebration. If you need help planning your next event, check out our Pinterest page for decorations, recipes, entertainment, and more year-round fun! Additionally, did you know that the changing weather of the fall can affect important components in your vehicle? Consult our Fall Car Care guide to learn about what components can be affected and how you can make sure they're ready to take on the colder weather. If you notice anything that may require attention, contact us and schedule a checkup right away! You'll be thankful you did once the snow starts to fall!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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