I’m a bit bitter about having to pack away my summer dresses now that the temperature is dropping, but I love this season for the salted caramel lattes, tall boots, beautiful scarves, and the excuse it provides to curl up in that warm fuzzy blanket!
After the prolonged summer we were blessed with it’s finally beginning to feel like fall – just in time for THANKSGIVING!
As we all know, fall is that magical season where everything takes on that golden glow… it’s that happy place before another Canadian winter swoops in and we’re reminded JUST how awful shoveling is!
This weekend I am lucky enough to be hosting 20 family members, and while it’s always fun… sometimes it also feels like the pressure’s on! Where will I put everyone? Is there a seat for each RSVP’d bum that will be in attendance?! How will I set the table?
Let’s start with my favourite part… the holiday décor! Don’t worry - I like to keep it SWEET & SIMPLE.
My biggest tip? Work with what you have, girl! Use what you have, and then ADD, LAYER, and have FUN with it! You may already have plain white napkins, plates, or charger plates – and then just pick up a few holiday-specific items as the accent.
I love simple/ white dinner plates so that I can add my splashes of colour elsewhere throughout the table – maybe a statement centerpiece, or quirky napkins!
NOTE: Stick with colours that match your décor – NOT the season!
(In my case, my dining room is grey and white, so you can bet my pumpkins will be grey and white!)
I already had orange decorative pumpkins from Dollarama – and after a quick spray paint – voila! - beautiful (and décor-matching) white pumpkins! I picked up a brown wicker cornucopia from Michaels and a quick spray later – my centerpiece is ready!
TABLE #1
Plaid Napkins: Pier One ($6.95ea)
White Napkins: Home Sense ($9.99/set of 4)
Wicker Charger Plates: Pier One ($19.95ea – on Clearance for ½ price!)
Dinner Plates: Home Sense ($14.95/set of 4)
Salad Plates: Home Sense ($45.95/ set of 4)
Napkin Rings: Home Sense ($5.95ea)
Salt & Pepper Shakers: Home Sense ($12.95)
Candle Centerpieces: A Value Village steal!
TABLE #2
Centerpiece: Greenery and Pumpkins: Dollarama in a Wicker Cornucopia from Michaels ($14.95 +50% off!)
Napkins: Home Sense ($12.99 for 8)
Napkin Rings: Pier One ($5.95ea)
Chargers: Kitchen Stuff Plus ($3.00ea)
China: MIKASA – Hudson’s Bay ($55/ place setting)
So that sums up the non-edible components on my Thanksgiving table, but what about the part we ALL love - the feast!! Chad’s parents are from Newfoundland, and for those of you that don’t know – along with that comes a very specific “Newfie Dinner.” There’s bound to be some laughs along the way as I attempt to make my mother-in-law’s JIGGS DINNER for the very first time! My favourite part of the Jigg is the blueberry dessert that is cooked right alongside the rest of it in the pot! The Newfoundland berries my mother-in-law picked will be the perfect touch.
As for the vino – my all-time favourite Chardonnay by Closson Chase (a Prince Edward County gem) will be gracing my table!
So excuse me while I start preparations for my first Newfie Jigg – there’s a glass of wine calling my name. So wish me luck, and I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
- Liz