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Thrifty, Nifty Thanksgiving Table Setting 101
Article Posted on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011 at 5:01 pm
For Halloween, Husband was sweet enough to get me this Cinderella pumpkin. Isn’t it cute? It’s really called that because it’s an heirloom pumpkin that looks just like Cinderella’s carriage, and that prompted me to cover it in gold glitter. (Which resulted in what I have termed “The Great Glitter War of 2011,” but that’s a different story entirely.)
Anyway, with Husband back in school I am trying to be more thrifty. So this year I’ve built our Thanksgiving table setting around my Cinderella pumpkin. And here’s what I’ve come up with…
First of all, I put the pumpkin on a gold charger and cut some greenery from the yard to place around it. (If you do this, be sure to rinse it well so that no bugs come in the house too.) The tea light holders that resemble mercury glass were actually $.99 at Target last week. (Score!) The linens, flatware, and china are all from sweet family members that know of my love of old things. I prefer all of the china & silver to be mismatched. We don’t do this all the time because Husband would lose his ever-lovin’ mind (*Bless his heart), but on holidays with more than 6 settings he indulges me. This year, I also tied the napkins with mismatched ribbon just to add a little something.
Another thing of note is that while there are 2 glasses at each spot, there’s a side table with other drink options and regular drinking glasses. Here in the South we have quite a few teetotalers so with a glass for water, one for wine, and one appropriate for any other beverage of choice, no one feels uncomfortable declining or indulging in any drink. A few of our hydrating must-haves while we’re on the subject: a push-button wine stopper (just in case there’s any left) and a carafe of water placed in an icebucket somewhere in the dining area. Also, if you’re up for something a bit fancier, Jess posted this on Pinterest this week, and I believe I’m going to print it to hang in the pantry.
Just in case you have a few unexpected guests…
Article Posted on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011 at 8:34 am
Do you remember A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving when all of Charlie Brown’s friends invite themselves over for a Thanksgiving feast? I watched it this week, and I couldn’t help but laugh when I realized what Charlie Brown was feeding his guests. So I thought I’d share a few little things to have on hand just in case you have some unexpected guests yourself. Later today, I’ll share our Thanksgiving table setting so keep an eye out for that too!
A Little Welcome Basket for Guests
Article Posted on Saturday, November 19th, 2011 at 11:45 am
This time of year, with guests coming and going, it’s especially important to keep your guest room stocked with little niceties that will make anyone feel at home! I find that along with clean towels, lotion, and candles, it’s nice to add local products that your guests can take with them to remind them of their trip. After all, aren’t belles known for always adding an extra little something?
Thanksgiving Game Plan: Day 1
Article Posted on Monday, November 14th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
I will be the 1st to tell you that I *adore* the Life photo archive; so how could I possibly be expected to resist captioning this pin-up pilgrim riding a turkey?
There are 2 things you should know right off the bat. First: we love to host parties! Second: Thanksgiving is my very *favorite* holiday! I can’t tell you how much it saddens me that this year the media seems to be moving us straight from Halloween to Christmas. A true belle knows that this time of year, when the leaves are falling from the trees and the darkness comes a bit earlier, is the perfect time to reflect on the year behind you and be thankful for all of God’s blessings.
With that in mind, each day this week I’m going to be posting some helpful hints to help you get ready for next week’s festivities. This will be the 5th year that we welcome our family and friends into our home on Thanksgiving, and there are quite a few tricks I’ve picked up the last few years that make the anticipation more fun and less stressful! The first is what I like to call my Thanksgiving Map.
I am a total nerd, I know, but it is a lifesaver!
Step 1: Download the Belle’s Thanksgiving Checklist.
Step 2: Print out the Belle’s Thanksgiving Timeline.
Step 3:
Gather your recipes, place cards, and any other ideas, and put them in a large envelope.
Step 4:
Tape your Checklist on the front and your Timeline on the back of the envelope–now everything is together on Thanksgiving morning! No searching for the sweet potato recipe, no wondering where you put those lovely place cards you ordered from Rifle. Everything is in it’s place and ready to go.
Happy Holiday Planning!
xo*
A Belle never forgets…
Article Posted on Thursday, May 19th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
… to bring something to a housewarming party
& preferably that something is alcohol.
Our very 1st Thanksgiving after getting married Husband and I hosted family and friends at our house for the very first time. In fact, we’ve made it a point not to have an empty house for too long since then! On that day, one of our most thoughtful friends brought a bottle of Beaujolais. He told us that it was a wine of celebration and the perfect way to kick off the entertaining in our home! Ever since then, it has been my go-to gift for any house-warming event–to some it may just be a bottle of wine but to me it is a *beautiful* sentiment and always brings good luck!