When it comes to holidays don’t just think about the food. A house, a dining room, or a table always looks so much more festive if you spend a little time thinking about decorating. Here’s the secret…”KISS”. You know what this stands for, Keep It Simple Stupid. This phrase that applies so well in most of our lives also applies in decorating. So when you are thinking about your Thanksgiving table, keep it simple. I have come to realize that people become overwhelmed regarding decorating simply because they think they have to overdo it. Therefore here are some of my tips to fast, easy and elegant decorating for your Thanksgiving table…
- Thanksgiving decorations-the best way and fastest way to decorate is to start with a simple tablecloth. Always start with a tablecloth. Simple is best here. Remember white is more formal, beige is more casual.
- Determine which colors you would like to use. Obviously for Thanksgiving I recommend orange, yellow, red…definitely fall colors.
- The best thing you can do is to purchase various size pumpkins (small of course) then purchase fall flowers, try to keep it to two or three colors. Place these on your table and stand back and take a look. Flowers should have a look of abundance. Therefore go outside and cut lots of greenery and sticks and add these to your flowers.
- At this point you should determine what color napkins you will be using. Keep all colors in the same family. Oh and while you were outside, maybe you could’ve grabbed some leaves and branches and whatever else you can find, and spray paint them any color you want to match your table.
- Candles…lots and lots of them! You don’t have to keep with just a candelabra, various heights and widths are great. Look around your house, grab votives and place them along the table, tons of lit candles are beautiful whether you go casual or formal. Oh, and by the way, do not be one of those people who places candelabras on the table and then doesn’t light them. Just don’t do it.
- Simple or elegant flatware, it does not matter. What does matter is to place it in the appropriate place. Very easy to remember, forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right. Place from the outside in. For instance you would eat the appetizer first, so the appetizer fork would be on the outside and so on and so on.
- Bring out your best stemware and why yes, you guessed it; place it in the appropriate spot. Upper right and yes you guessed, outside in.
- Try to utilize as much as you can from around your house. You would be surprised as you walk around what you will find to toss on the table. Just think same color scheme.
- Baskets are fantastic. Decide to start to collect baskets. Buy them on sale whenever you can. Use with a pretty linen napkin. Remember, baskets are not just for bread. You can place bowls in the baskets. Remember to place greenery in the basket. If you want to get really funky buy those miniature Christmas lights and intertwine them within the basket. Think lights and ribbons around your baskets and they will make your table pop (miniature Christmas lights with batteries can be found in craft stores).
Last but not least, actually folks this is the most important thing I can tell you. I must insist and I implore you, set your table the day before any large dinner. That will leave you the day of to focus on just food. Believe you me, this habit of mine has alleviated much angst around holiday gatherings. Oh, and if you want to get really organized? What’s another great secret I would like to impart to you? Little notes my friends. For what you ask? Well for the serving trays of course. Taking the extra time to place notes in serving trays the day before saves me a whole lot of stress the day of. Try it, you’ll be thanking me later. Happy Thanksgiving folks.
