FALL IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIMES OF THE YEAR!
Pumpkin pie, apple cider, stuffing and my mom’s apple dumplings are some of the best things about this season. But the main reason I love fall is family! There are so many reasons to get together with the ones we love most to eat, drink and be thankful! Today I’m talking specifically about Thanksgiving. Are you hosting the Turkey Dinner this year?!?! If yes, then you will definitely want to keep reading!
Hosting family and friends for the holidays is supposed to be fun… right?! But, often times it tends to be stressful, overwhelming and costly!
If you know you’re hosting a holiday dinner this year now is the perfect time to start planning. Of course you want to make sure everything looks perfect for your guests, and with a plan it can be just that. And you can have fun in the process too!
First, you will want to determine your guest count, where you will be serving your guests, and if you have enough tableware and seating. Entertaining Tip: Rentals! Renting entertaining items is a great option, especially if you’re hosting a large group of F&F.
Second, and this is where the fun part starts, deciding on your color scheme, center pieces, will you be serving on china, melamine or paper, served vs. buffet style, and the menu and drinks you will serve. Entertaining Tip: Make Children feel welcome! If your hosting children, consider having special items for the kids. These could include sparkling cider in these adorable plastic “thankful” wine cups.
Thirdly, you will want to start accumulating the necessary items needed for the big day. Designate a place to collect all the items from your home or that you have purchased. Save yourself the time and stress by preparing these items a week or two ahead of time. Entertaining Tip: Practice! Stage your table. You will want to make sure all your settings fit well and aren’t too cumbersome to use or your centerpieces aren’t too high so your guests can see each other throughout your meal.
This season I had an amazing opportunity to collaborate with Towson Lifestyle Magazine and style a Thanksgiving spread! I chose to deviate from the expected browns, oranges and yellows and opted for elegant hues of gold coupled with a rustic chic twist and accented with pops of ivory. Everything you see on this beautiful table was found in the greater Towson area! The farm table and benches were rented from local event rental company Loane Bros. The beautiful bohemian table runner from Pier 1 is decorated with a gorgeous floral arrangement from Flowers & Fancies, flanked by weathered gold candle holders from Crate & Barrel. Each table setting includes a Monique Lhuillier for Pottery Barn rose gold glass charger, Crate & Barrel “Thankful” salad plate, and Monique Lhuillier for Pottery Barn Marlowe rose gold utensils.
When planning your holiday spread, consider mixing it up with an elegant combination of luxury, DIY and less expensive decor options. A thoughtful touch would be to also add family heirlooms or vintage pieces into your tablescape. If hosting younger children you may want to consider plastic but don’t be alarmed thinking it won’t fit in. There are a lot of stylish table decor options that will blend right in with your finer items. Don’t forget to shop local, visit antique shops and dig deep into your own items to pull together a sophisticated holiday display that will have your family and friends raving about your creativity!
THANKSGIVING TABLESCAPE PRODUCT LIST
BED BATH & BEYOND Ceramic acorn, $6.99 / Ivory Napkins, $7.99 (4 pack) / Rose napkin ring, $2.99 / Plastic wine tumbler, $3.99 // CRATE AND BARREL 5 “Thankful” salad plate, $5.95 / Emmett antique brass taper candlesticks, $45.90/$53.90 / 12-inch white taper candles, $7.95 (set of 6) // FLOWERS AND FANCIES Floral centerpiece, $175 // LOANE BROS. Fruitwood farm table and benches, $150 // PARTY CITY “Give Thanks” salad plates, $9.99 (10 pack) / Plastic rose gold cutlery, $7.99 (32-count) / 14-inch rose gold charger, $3.49 // PIER 1 Copper pumpkin tumbler, $6.78 / Resin pumpkin, $7.99 / Ivory chevron table runner, $31.96 // POTTERY BARN Eclectic mercury votive holder, $8.50 / Antique silver drink pitcher, $79 / Antique silver salt and pepper shakers, $29.50 / Monique Lhuillier Melrose rose gold charger, $19.50 / Monique Lhuillier Marlowe Rose Gold Utensils, $50 // NORDSTROM “Thankful” acorns, $18.99 // STEBBINS ANDERSON 8-inch wine glass, $16.50 / Resin turkey, $26.50 // URBAN THREADS “Eat Local” breadboard, $69 / Burlap silverware pouch, $32 (set of 8) / Beaded napkin ring, $7.50 each / VIDA Alegria tray, $64 // WINE Antietam Creek Vineyards petit verdot, $38 // what I’m wearing: PANACHE Mini Dress and VENUS Tiered Hoop Necklace $16.99
THANK YOU
TOWSON LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE & KEITH SCHNEIDER PHOTOGRAPHY
SHOOT LOCATION
