Every Year in November my three closest friends and I celebrate fall with our families by having a Harvest party.  We take turns hosting so that no one has to feel overwhelmed, and each family bring a couple of finger foods so that no one really has to cook. This year I hosted the party.  I sent cardstock leaf postcards to each family reminding them of the date we had chosen and asked each family to bring one item for the stone soup we would be making.  I decorated with leaf garlands, pumpkins, a few orange tablecloths, and my usual fall house decorations.  When the families arrived my husband took everyone out into the back yard to jump in the leaf piles he had raked together.  There were small prizes hidden in the leaves for the children to find. Next we had a turkey dance.  This is sort of like musical chairs.  I had cut out turkey foot prints from yellow construction paper and taped them to the deck, one for each child.  My father played Turkey in the Straw" on his harmonica and the children danced around the deck like turkeys until the music stopped. Then however each child got a prize as they were caught out. Next we went inside for some pumpkin painting leaf shaped cookie decorating and general snacking.  My husband got the campfire started while everyone was inside and we then served hot apple cider and coco around the campfire. Then my husband used his lawn tractor and trailor to give the families a hayride around the block. To warm up we then came inside and played pin the waddle on the turkey and each child was given a small ceramic harvest magnet to paint with acrylic paints.  The adults took these outside and sprayed them with clear krylon. and these became their take home favors along with their pumpkins. All the kids had a great time and we enjoyed hosting the party so much that I can't wait until it is our turn again.  "