Make This: DIY Paper Wishbone Garland for Thanksgiving

I’ve been a vegetarian for over 13 years now, and there aren’t many meat-eating rituals that I feel like I’m missing out on. I don’t crave hamburgers, I don’t really care for barbecuing, and carving a turkey isn’t my style either. Free wishes, though…that’s something I could use more of! This quick Thanksgiving decoration is as close to a wishbone as I’m getting, and after the holiday I’ll be ripping a few in half so I can make a wish anyway.       

This Thanksgiving decoration is made with the same method as the “people chains” that kids make in elementary school (remember? Little paper people holding hands?). It’s really quick, and really simple, and costs almost nothing to create. If you’re looking for some easy Thanksgiving decoration to hang this November, look to further. 

Materials

• Roll of paper (or wrapping paper)
• Wishbone Paper Chain template
• Scissors
• One-hole punch
• Pencil
• Ribbon, cord, or string
• Binder clips

Step

Begin by printing off the Wishbone Paper Chain template, and cutting out the shape. The shape is of half a wishbone, with the areas to be un-cut marked in a dotted line. Next, fold a piece of paper in an accordion fashion (fold to the left, fold to the right, fold to the left, etc.), with the width of the folds being the same width as the template piece – about 3.5 inches.

Step

Trace the shape of the template onto the front of your accordion of paper. The dotted lines should line up with the creases in the accordion.

Step

Use a few binder clips to hold your accordion in place, and cut out the shape. Do not cut across where the dotted lines indicated. This part should remain intact so the paper chain stays together.

With the paper chain still bound, line up the one-hole punch towards the top of the wishbone shape, with the hole punch hanging halfway off (thus punching a half hole). Punch the half-hole, and once unfolded, the halves should join to make a complete hole on the top of each wishbone shape.

Step

String ribbon, cording, or yarn through the holes of the wishbone shapes, and hang your new Thanksgiving decoration! If the creases really bug you, you can quickly pass over each wishbone with a dry, medium-heat iron.

---

Have you started planning for Thanksgiving yet? I always cook a few dishes for the big meal, and so far all I’ve settled on is that I want to make a pumpkin cheesecake. Oh, and a tofurkey.