Category: Celebrations

Setting the Scene for Thanksgiving

Setting the Scene for Thanksgiving

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For most Americans, tomorrow is a special day of gratitude, family dynamics and loads of delicious food. My sister-in-law is hosting the holiday gathering at her home this year, but in years past (and hopefully many years to come) we have embraced the craziness that comes along with a houseful of family, way too many cooks in the kitchen and too little space.

Even with the chaos, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays (no, it’s not the food), because I love to have loads of family around without the hyperactive exchange of brightly colored gifts, the shreds of wrapping paper floating all about and the over extravagance of way too many gifts (with way too many parts and pieces to keep track of) that accompanies our next big gathering at Christmas.

To me, Thanksgiving is pretty low key. If there is family, tasty food, a warm place to sit and a cozy place to watch the parade and football, I count it good. With that being said, if you’re hosting your own family gathering tomorrow, here are a few inspirational ideas that might help you set the mood, welcome your guests, embrace the chaos and come out the other side feeling. . . well, “thankful.”

Create a warm and inviting room (literally and figuratively).

Consider turning down the heater for your gathering and light a fire instead. Everyone loves the warm glow of crackling logs, but if your weather is too warm try lighting a few candles instead. Add some warm throws, even if no one plans to use them — they simply say “stay awhile.”  Also add some fall color and simple rustic décor to quickly make a room more inviting.

from Postcards From The Ridgefrom Adventures in Decoratingfrom Small Talk Mamafrom The Frugal Homemakerfrom AKA Designfrom Golden Boys & Me

Create seating that is conducive to conversation.

Arrange your seating so that people can have a direct line of sight with one another. This makes conversation so much easier and more natural. If you don’t own a sectional, try creating a sectional-type arrangement for a popular seating option.

from ARHAUSfrom Impressive Interior Designfrom Fred Gonsowski Garden Home from House of Tourquoisefrom ARHAUSfrom Luna Belle

Create a table that screams or even just whispers something special.

Thanksgiving table settings can be extravagant or simple, but they should make folks want to sit, stay and eat for a while. Make sure your display is short enough for guests to easily see over so they will hopefully want to linger long after the dessert is done.

from Small Talk Mamafrom Sand & Sisalfrom Lonnyfrom Living With Landynfrom Ella Clairefrom Lemon Thistle

Give your guests an opportunity to be thankful.

Set aside some time for guests to express their blessings either verbally or with the written word. Consider your family and how each member is comfortable sharing. You can even play some fun Thanksgiving games to lighten the mood.

from Small Talk Mamafrom Party Ideasfrom Landeedofrom The Small Stuff CountsFrom Carina Gardnerfrom The Moffatt Girls

Encourage guests to take it home.

Save some cleanup, refrigerator space and calories by stocking up on boxes, bags or plastic tubs your guests can load up and take home. Dress up the carryouts so that people will remember to take them along and provide a marker or pen for labeling.

from The Garnish Blogfrom Glitter Guidefrom Studio DIY

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a blessed gathering!

Five Last-Minute Creative Easter Ideas

Five Last-Minute Creative Easter Ideas

Easter is just a few days away; but if you’re looking for a bit of last-minute inspiration, you’re in luck. This morning I gathered a few of my favorite Small Talk Mama Easter ideas and put them all in one place so that you can pick and choose with ease. . . that and I’ve been so busy that I haven’t come up with anything new and exciting. New or not, the wishes are still the same — may you have a happy Easter, enjoy your family and rejoice in the risen Lord.

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Easter Egg Wreath is Easy and Inexpensive

 

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Industrial Whimsy Equals Spring Rustic Wreath

 

My Egg Deviling Debut

 

Chick Pic Project

 Cute Little Chick Pic

 

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A Bunny Banner All Your Own

Put Some Plaid on Your Presents

Put Some Plaid on Your Presents

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Okay, if you’ve been following along lately, you probably already know that I’m “mad for plaid” this holiday season and I’ve been plopping it all over the place, inside and out, because this classic Christmas style just never gets old. So of course when it came to wrapping presents, I decided to unleash the plaidness  and splash some color under my boughs of holly.

After starting with scraps, I quickly found that tearing strips of fabric in different sizes was a quick, cute and efficient way to personalize all the gifts under my tree. I can tear super skinny strips for a twine-type bow or cut a wider piece for those larger gifts. By using a few yards of different plaids, I can completely customize every gift box under my tree and still have a cohesive look. . . if you’re into that sort of thing.

By the way, all that actual wrapping paper you see came from my dollar store. I scored several rolls of that super cute stuff in mid November and love, love, love it. I used string tags from the office supply store for gift tags this year. I simply added a spritz of green Glimmer Mist and inked the edges before stamping names on each one using my Prima Press alphabet stamping system.

Here’s to making the holidays merry and bright (or at least madly and plaid)!

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