Play with Your Food!

Thanksgiving is coming, and I have food on the brain! I have always loved cooking and all things kitchen-esqe. As a kid, there was nothing I coveted more than Easy Bake Ovens (click the link for a super sweet vintage commercial by Muppet man Jim Henson). Those perfect little cakes coming out of your very own little oven seemed like pieces of delicious magic. I’m not sure if it was because it was thought of as a “girl’s toy” or if it was because my mother is very practical, but she always told me, “We have a real oven, use that.” Have no doubt, I did. I worked that GE electric range out!

I can remember standing on a yellow vinyl kitchen chair at the stove making Campbell’s Curly Noodle soup. Millie, my crazy bubbie, would yell at me with her high-pitched voice, “Get down, that’s not safe.” Strong-willed even then, I continued to stir up the pot (and still do!).

The kitchen below, from Pottery Barn Kids, is pretty chic with its clean lines, dark wood paneling and aluminum-colored accents. Set in a real kitchen it would look very cute and very chic next to the grown-up stuff!

I’m a self-proclaimed “dish-nista!” In my tiny NYC apartment, where my bed is just a mere fifteen feet away from my stove, I house six sets of dishes and about forty different vintage glasses! I have considered bringing home the set below from IKEA several times. Anything in miniature becomes magical—it’s a fact. This shrunken down version of the grown-up’s stuff is dainty and delicious and would make any child feel like a proper host.

Grocery shopping is totally one of my favorite “chores.” Let your child play with these adorable produce friends housed in a big shopping bag. Each food provides a different texture or feature, like jingling or crinkling sounds. For one sec, can we mention the yellow guy in the back of the bag, he is totally bananas! This is great as a carry-and-go toy!

I’m a vegetarian, so I prefer to focus on the side dishes, which are always the best part of the meal anyway (and they can all be made vegetarian/vegan). Get your child excited about the harvest meal with toy versions of our veggie friends like carrots, celery, onions and corn!

The harvest-filled cornucopia is a Thanksgiving icon. House your harvest in this felt “wicker” cornucopia, a cozy handmade version made out of super soft felt. Fun as a toy or fabu as a decorative item at the kids’ table during the big T-Day feast!

Sending you all warm wishes for a very happy holiday. Personally, I am thankful for so many things. Here’s to a gorgeous holiday season filled with beautifully set tables, glitter and love.