Note: The table above was the tablescape for last Thanksgiving. I put items on the table and rearranged them several times to experiment. Note: I had not ironed the table cloth or runner. This is my process. When I make my final decision, I iron and wash what is needed.
Notice the cute chocolate turkeys on all the plates. I bought them at the beginning of October. I like to think ahead. đ
We lost my beloved sister-in-law last Valentine's Day 2020. In addition, I lost my dad 4 years ago, and my mom 20-something years ago. The older I get, the more I appreciate the time I have with my family, and I try not to take it for granted.
Holidays give us an opportunity to slow down for a moment and spend extra special time with our family and friends. If I am hosting, I try to make that time special and meaningful. I love traditions, so it's a great time to establish and continue family traditions.
Traditions can help bind us together and create memories that last a lifetime. đ
I love a beautiful table. A beautiful table sets the mood for the occasion. But your table doesn't have to be stuffy or cost a lot of money.
I use dishes and decorations that have been passed down in my family. I am very sentimental, so it makes me happy to know that I am using my grandmother's, my mother's, or mother-in-law's dishes. I feel like I am passing down part of our family.
In the picture above, the bowls are from my mother-in-law. The coffee cups and saucers are from my grandmother in the 1920s. Each piece is hand-painted and signed. The glasses are from my sister-in-law who left us on Valentine's Day 2020. It's an eclectic table, but it tells a beautiful story.
But there have been many occasions that we have used paper plates or napkins. I still try to make the table a little extra special. It is my way of showing my family love.
This Year's Table Scape
Note:
The bowls and Hurricane lamps are from
Pottery Barn.
The plates were on sale for $5 each at Kirkland's.
The table runner and napkins are from
Williams Sonoma.
The candlelit pumpkins are from Hallmark.
The plate chargers are from Bed Bath and Beyond
The coffee cups are my grandmother's from the 1920s.
The glasses were my sister-in-law, Suzahn's.
The turkey decorations were passed down to me from my mother. â¤ď¸
Flowers always add beauty to the table.
Last year I also bought these beautiful red goblets from Williams Sonoma.
I love Christmas so much! Red and gold colors are so pretty together. đ
*In the picture above, I added a string of battery-operated lights to the table. I put the lights under a gold transparent runner. Then, I added a tinsel boa. I love that soft glow of the lights on the table. I also love the Christmas tree napkin holders that I got form my mom years ago.â¤ď¸
Some Tips for a beautiful but stress-free holiday table:
1. Plan ahead. Get out your decorations, table cloth, placemats, etc. early...like a week ahead of time. Inspect them to make sure they are in good shape. For example, you may need to wash your table cloth. Your decorations may not be in the best of shape. If you get them out early, you have time to make adjustments.
2. Experiment with different dishes and tablescapes. I try using different table cloths, dishes, and decor to set my table. Since I have all my items out early, I have time to experiment or pick something up from the store. I may "loosely" set the table, and sleep on it for a night, to help decide if I need to change or add anything to the table.
A day before the holiday, I will wash any dishes that need to be washed, and reset the table. I decided on a very eclectic table last year. The plates don't match, and I used two different types of silverware. I have items that are multigenerational and from both sides of our families. I just felt the need to incorporate it all last year.
This year I added a couple of new things I bought over the last couple of years.
Everything on your table does not have to match, it just needs to coordinate. I think mixing things up makes the table more interesting.
I love how my new plates coordinated so well with family dishes and items I bought years ago at different stores.
3. Use chargers underneath your plates to give the table a more polished look. See the holiday tablescapes above and below.
4. Consider using a tablecloth, and a tablecloth liner. You can get a tablecloth liner online or at stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond. The liner is just extra protection from that relative or child who spills something on your precious antique table!
Note: A liner is soft on one side, to protect the table from scratches, and waterproof on the other side.
5. Learn how to set a "semi- proper table"! I use the term "semi-proper" because I don't believe anything needs to be perfect! It's your table. Be creative and have fun. If you like how it looks, that is what matters the most ....unless you are expecting the President or some VIP for dinner. Well, then you may want to make sure everything is perfect!
See below. Basically, the forks go on the left-hand side of the plate, and the spoons and knife go on the right-hand side. The salad fork is the smaller fork. The knife should be closest to the plate with the cutting edge facing the plate.
Always remember to go from the outside to the inside. So the outermost utensil is the one you use first. Therefore, if the first course is soup, the soup spoon should be the outermost utensil on the right. Since a salad comes before the main course, the salad fork should be the outermost utensil on the left.
Goblets, water and wine glasses, and coffee cups go on the right, as shown below. Salad and soup bowls go on the left or in the middle of the plate. Dessert utensils (spoon or fork) go above the plate. If you have both a dessert spoon and a dessert fork, the fork should be nearest to the plate facing right, and the spoon should be above the fork, facing left.
If you include a bread and butter plate, they should be placed to the left over the forks.
I try not to get too much more technical than that. I want it to be nice, but not overly fussy.
6. Use real and battery operated candles.
The battery-operated candles are getting more and more realistic. You can "light" them ahead of time with no worries of burning down the house!
7. Use place cards for "cuteness", and to help with figuring out the seating arrangements ahead of time. See the picture above. I will write the names of my guests on the leaf place card.
If your grandfather needs extra space for seating, for example, you can seat him in the most comfortable and appropriate place. Also, as the hostess, I like to be seated in a seat that has easy access to the Kitchen. I usually have to get up several times for extra items or to serve coffee and dessert.
7. Consider buying decorations, holiday paper plates, napkins, etc. at very reduced prices at the end of the year...for the next year. The following year, you will thank yourself, and you will have saved tons of money! I have bought holiday items and decor for up to 90% off at the end of the year!
8. Put your cooked dishes on a separate table or island for serving if possible.
Think about the serving dishes you will use, and arrange them on the table or island a day ahead of time. Put sticky notes next to the serving dish with the name of that dish. For example, put a sticky note next to the dish that will serve mashed potatoes. Write "mashed potatoes" on the note.
When you transfer the mashed potatoes into that serving dish, leave the sticky note on the table. In that way, you will know exactly where to put the mashed potatoes. It saves time and energy if you have thought this out ahead of time. It will alleviate the stress of trying to decide where everything goes, what dish to use, and if all the dishes will fit on the table.
9. Label any dish that is not obvious with a cute sticky note or notecard. For example, "Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Vinaigrette", or "Peach Iced Tea". In this way, you won't have to answer endless questions about the ingredients in the dish. You may also want to label things as "Meat Free" or "Gluten-Free" for example, for the people who have special diets.
10. Enlist the help of your family and friends. If they offer to bring a dish, let them!
11. Do as much as you can ahead of time so you can spend some stress-free time with your family and friends the day of the holiday. â¤ď¸
12. Incorporate and include family traditions at your holiday meal. We have done many things to share what we are thankful for at the end of the meal. The last couple of years we have written on a white pumpkin. đ
13. The holiday table...it doesn't have to be perfect. What makes it perfect is the family and friends around it. â¤ď¸ We are missing some of our family below. Our Thanksgiving will be smaller this year, but we are still thankful for all that we have.
All of our love to my sweet Suzahn; it's not the same without your joyful presence. đ
And missing my dad and my mom who taught me the importance of family and tradition.
Mom, you are the reason I love holidays and traditions. Miss you always.
And sending love to all of the others that can't be with us this Thanksgiving. We will see you again someday, and rejoice!
Happy Holidays... from our family to yours! Many blessings!
Me and my sister-in-love, Suzahn.â¤
How blessed am I that God made us family!
Until I rejoice with you in heaven, all my love. â¤ď¸
Love your different holiday tables! They all look so special and inviting. Love this whole site. There are so many new recipies and creative ideas that I want to try out.