holiday table

One of the fun things about hosting Thanksgiving was the excuse to use my various serving dishes (which definitely don't get used for normal dinners around here - not doing extra dishes when it's just the two of us!) and set the table all fancy. I have all white dishes and serving platters/bowls, so they go with everything and I can change things up for various occasions with different linens. We had our dinner late, so I took a few photos of the set table before it got dark out... it was loaded with food soon enough.

 

 

I went with a gold + rustic/fall colors theme, with gold chargers from Target and some fallish napkins and a table runner I already had around. I tied in the table with the banner I made for the mantel, bringing in some twine on the candle and to tie placecard tags to the napkins. I punched the tags out of gold paper and put stickers similar to the banner font to mark each person's first initial. A super easy but festive set up - which could be very easily changed to a December holiday party table by switching out the runner and napkins.

thanksgiving banner

Tomorrow I'm hosting a little Thanksgiving dinner, and today I decided I needed a little last-minute holiday themed decor... using things I had around the house. I remembered this image I pinned because I love the hymn the line comes from. I love the idea of putting text on a ribbon like this - or I would do a place mats or napkins for the Thanksgiving table if I had a more time. Instead I decided to make a banner for the mantel.

                                                                                    Source: bhg.com via Anne on Pinterest

To make a simple banner, I printed the letters on colored cardstock in mirror image so that when I cut them out the front side would be clean. Then I just glued them on to a length of twine and hung it up - for a little quick and whimsical Thanksgiving festivity...

five things friday: thanksgiving inspiration edition

It's Friday again already?! I haven't been getting a ton of crafting done lately, but now I've got a whole new topic to focus on: Thanksgiving. I'm having it at my house for the first time, as my husband's parents and his sister/her husband will be joining us here, and so I've spent all week pinning inspirations for my table...

                                                                                   Source: bhg.com via Anne on Pinterest

1. I love natural elements for fall-related decorating. How great would these acorn napkin rings be for Thanksgiving?

                                                                    Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Meghann on Pinterest

2. Place cards, no matter how simple, just say "fancy dinner" to me. Here is a genius use of magnolia leaves (to match my wreath made from all those pesky leaves that end up on my driveway from my neighbor's tree!).

                                                                         Source: marthastewart.com via Rebecca Frost on Pinterest

3. Centerpieces and flower arranging aren't exactly my strong suit... pumpkins and candles are a pretty substitute though!

                                                                             Source: blowoutparty.com via Anne on Pinterest

4. I love kraft paper, and it's the perfect color for this holiday - also an inexpensive way to work with the linens/plates I already have for a simple Thanksgiving table.

                                                                        Source: marthastewart.com via Brittani on Pinterest

5. I'm not a super fan of pumpkin pike (or stuffing or mashed potatoes - Thanksgiving sacrilege, I know), but this triple chocolate pumpkin pie would probably tempt me...