Making Room for a Crowd - My Thanksgiving Table

Happy November!  Recently, StyleBlueprint Louisville contacted me for some tips on successful holiday entertaining.  I thought what a great opportunity, as I recently had to dust off a folding table stored in our attic a couple of weekends ago, when we invited a few friends over very last minute for an impromptu dinner.

Aren't we all having to do the same thing?  Trying to accommodate a large number of guests or even last minute company during the holidays??

Below I share how to entertain for a crowd 'stylishly' this season using a folding table and mismatched chairs!  Hop over to StyleBlueprint Louisville to read more about this here.

To hide my ugly folding table I bought two yards of burlap fabric for under $10 from Joann's to act as the tablecloth and then layered my monogrammed linen hemstitch runner I already owned on top of it.  I almost always use chargers when it comes to setting my holiday tables (instead of placemats) as they always make for easy clean-up.  Besides, it mixes up your china which lightens the mood.

Another no-fail tip is to always use greenery as your centerpiece.  Here, I bought a couple of bunches of seeded eucalyptus from Trader Joe's for $3/bunch and combined it with a dozen of coral colored spray roses from Kroger.  The resin antlers holiday ornaments, I picked up from Digs Home and Garden for $15, make for a nice addition to my centerpiece.  I also picked up some fallen magnolia leaves (with sprigs of winterberries) from my backyard and used them as an embellishment on each of the guest's plates.

Lots of layers and texture!

Don't worry about mixing your chairs during the holidays.  Here I used my upholstered parson chairs (from Ikea) as the host and hostess chairs and then used my bamboo kitchen chairs for the rest of the seating around the table.  

Lighting is so important when decorating your table and setting the mood.  Candles and table lamps (instead of recessed canned lighting) make your home feel cozy and look more festive.  Use pillar, tapered and tea light candles.  Any vessel will work!  I love the look of mercury glass or iridescent votive candle holders when decorating for the holidays.  

I hope you enjoyed my thanksgiving table and tips on entertaining! Thank you to Styleblueprint Louisville for sharing my ideas!

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Impromptu Pre-Thanksgiving Table Setting

This year we are traveling to Michigan for Thanksgiving and therefore, we won't be hosting dinner.  But, last Sunday, we had friends over for a rather last minute pre-Thanksgiving dinner.  It was fairly spur of the moment, but the table seemed to come together minutes before they arrived.

Everything I used I already had.  I scoured my fabric stash and used a yard of this outdoor/indoor fabric as the tablecloth.  It provided the perfect neutral backdrop.  I was particularly excited to use my Home Goods turkey plates that I purchased this past summer for about $3 each.

I also was happy to break out my pewter Match candlestick holders for the first time since we've moved into this house!  I didn't spend anytime on the centerpiece.  I would've loved to have spent more time, but there wasn't any.  A quick run to TJs for some winterberries always saves the day!  I plopped them in my vintage ironstone pitcher.

So, while this is a poor substitute for a full blow Thanksgiving spread, it was a fun and casual pre-Thanksgiving dinner with friends!  Sometimes, those last minute get togethers are the best.  Despite it not being the official Thanksgiving dinner, it made us realize how thankful we are.

I wish all of you a very Happy and safe Thanksgiving!  

God Bless!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving we're not entertaining (insert smiley face) so we are heading down to NYC today.  We'll be staying in the city tonight (thanks Chris!) and we'll be waking up bright and early to go see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  However, if I were entertaining, there is no doubt that I would pick and choose from one of these key elements to decorate my table.  Classic elements like these that can be used for any holiday tabletop....

Gold Chargers

Stripes

Sprigs of Rosemary

Pewter

Buffalo Check

Bamboo Flatware

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!  And, God bless all of those affected by hurricane Sandy.

Happy Thanksgiving

To all, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Last night, knee deep, in chopped fennel, carrots, parsnips, etc. I would occasionally glance over at this

and it would make me smile.  I was planning on using this elsewhere in the house, but when my husband heard me 'stressing' out last night, he brought it in the kitchen and placed it on the counter!  He's the best.  I also finished my thanksgiving tablescape (flower arrangement and all)!

Lastly, I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by and reading my blog!!  Every time each one of you leaves a comment, it makes my day and I'm just thankful that I have found a passion, a supportive group of readers and an outlet in which to enjoy it all!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!  I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving Day!!  Have a wonderful weekend!