Before you wear yourself out breaking out all that china and
crystal, stop. Sit. Think. What can’t you stand about your
Thanksgiving get-together? What are your biggest stressors for the
day? What do you love about the holiday?
All of those things need to be incorporated into your decorating
style.
Before you wear yourself out breaking out all that china and crystal, stop. Sit. Think. What can’t you stand about your Thanksgiving get-together? What are your biggest stressors for the day? What do you love about the holiday?
All of those things need to be incorporated into your decorating style.
Going with a cozy rustic theme allows you to use dishwasher-friendly kitchen items but still provide the special touch that a holiday demands, according to Christy Ferer, a home and personal fashion contributor to The Today Show and Good Morning America.
On the other hand, decorating with an elegant touch doesn’t need to break the bank according to party planner Linda Estill, owner of Feelin’ Festive! in Gilroy.
“For a centerpiece you can get some of the miniature pumpkins and gourds. I spray painted a few of them gold and arranged them on some fabric down the center of the table, either a plain color or a fall-themed pattern,” said Estill. “Add some miniature Indian corn and some autumn leaves along with some taper candles. You could also cut branches with autumn leaves from around your property and place them in vases around the room.”
Individual touches, like the placement of a dried leaf or fall flower in each napkin ring, are also excellent for detail, said Estill.
Add warmth to the scene by leaving cinnamon sticks to boil in a large pot of water during the evening. Avoid centerpieces made from herbs or overly scented floral arrangements as they may interfere with the meal’s aromas.
For a minimalist look, fill three clear vases with fruits. Possible combinations include cranberries in one, sliced oranges in another and small yellow peppers in a third. Cover each with water to make the colors really pop.
Ferer suggests a Rocky Mountain theme with an eclectic mix of china and holiday-themed ceramic or tin camping ware in light blue or green. Glasses can be a mix of shapes, materials and relatively close sizes (just no AM/PM savers, please). Not only will you double your place settings, but the eclectic look will cut down on dish time later since about half of the items you’ll end up putting out will be able to go directly into the dish washer.
Finish off the look using a plaid flannel sheet for the table cover, Ferer suggested, noting that a king-size should cover a six-foot table well. Centerpieces can remain rustic, too. A couple of old camping lanterns and a few gourds and vegetables arranged on a raised cake platter (toothpicks can be used to hold the whole thing together with minimal distraction) are all you need. For a more whimsical touch, Estill suggests using a hollowed out pumpkin as a vase.
If you’re just tired of having the disjointed look of a short, wobbly card table tacked on to your dining room set, table-cloths could make all the difference, according to www.iVillage.com contributor Megan McKissick. Remove the disjointed look of the table by separating the two. Cover the main table in a patterned cloth and reflect the accent tone in a solid color for the card table. Mirror the main table’s centerpiece in smaller form to complete the unified look.
When setting up your own Thanksgiving feast, remember that all of these ideas might sound good, but you’ll need to consider your audience, too. For instance, placing candles at the kiddy table? Bad idea.
Consider serving the entire meal at the table rather than having guests dish up in the kitchen if getting in and out is a tight fit. Cornered guests won’t have to impose on others if they can’t get out for seconds. Inquire whether guests are left or right handed if you’ll be doing assigned seating. Nothing is more disruptive than constantly having to apologize for bumping into the person next to you.
What better way is there to bring traditional warmth to a home on Thanksgiving than to decorate naturally?
Small branches from trees with autumn-hued leaves, brightly colored persimmons, pomegranates, berried branches from shrubs, nuts, or chrysanthemums in full bloom make for beautiful table decorations.
Not only can the dinner table be adorned but the whole house.
Chrysanthemums which bloom in a myriad of colors and flower forms can add just the right touch of color to enliven any part of the home.
And remember, after the chrysanthemums have finished blooming, you can plant them outdoors where they will signal the fall season next year with a flush of bloom.
California Association of Nurseries
and Garden Centers
