Thanksgiving made easy like Sunday morning.

YES! Halloween is over…now lets get cozzzzy…GOBBLE, GOBBLE to all my creatively challenged pals! I’m here to help you find your flair. If you are like me, I need to finish one holiday before we leap into the next! My head spins when I walk into all my favorite stores and experience “hallogivingmas” where all the holidays are on a combo platter on Isle one! We are all spinning enough on this earth right now; let bring it back to simpler times. I’m here to tell you it’s ok to slow down and enjoy each season. It’s ok that Mrs. Jones has all her holiday shopping done and wrapped right after dropping the kids off for their first day of school. I applaud anyone who can pull it off. However, I find it hard to believe that she’s not trying to prove something to someone. Most of us are familiar with that I guess … anxiety is real and we don’t need to add to it by feeling unaccomplished because we cant keep up with the everchanging expectations. NO! NO! NO! set your own pace and enjoy your life.

I’m so happy you are here for some table talk on creating your perfect “stress free” Thanksgiving ambiance this holiday season. With inflation high (ugh) we have all been hit. It’s a little intimidating to spend any money right now on the fluff of creating the warmth of the day for things that are not necessarily needs, but still wanting to create a cozy and inviting vibe that brings the nostalgia back to gathering for Thanksgiving. Without taking too much out of the household budget in these uncertain times, I am here to help you get creative and create an amazing table setting without worry. I have found some amazing items on Amazon that will help kick start this vision for you and your family’s Thanksgiving memories. I think that in different parts of the country we have amazing fall foliage under our fingertips that can be used for free. Some of us just don’t have the seasons and resources like others. So, if you are like me, you may need to purchase a few key items that others can simply go out into the backyard and gather. I’m so jealous of that!

So let’s get creating thanksgiving memories around the table with some easy touches that will make everyone relax and enjoy a beautiful and inviting feeling of just being together. Let me first start by telling you that less is more these days. If you are anything like how I used to be, you might think you need perfection. If one thing was not how I envisioned it, then I was upset. Not anymore! The key is to be organized and not do things last minute. Just keep it as simple as possible. I’m hoping this blog will convince you that it doesn’t matter as much as you think. It will be ok…we can do it better, enjoy it more, and truly soak up the people that we love and that’s what’s important!  So, let’s keep it simple yet classic… Divide and conquer with the food. Have all the peeps that are coming to your gathering bring what they can help with, so that you can focus on creating the space, hosting, laughing, engaging in family games and kodak moments.

You may want to do the main course if that’s a traditional turkey or whatever that may be, as traditions are not story book pictures anymore. We had steaks last year?! what? did I really say it was ok to not have a turkey on the table?? Yes, yes I did!  It is whatever brings us around the table that means the most to me these days. Especially with the shortage of turkeys and the price that may be attached to them this year. You don’t want to add to your anxiety by being like Mrs. Krank searching for her hickory honey ham on Christmas Eve. So remember as long as the people you love are laughing around the table with full bellies, does it really matter what we are putting in them?

So, my first tip is to organize your food if it’s you that decides to plan the whole meal or if you will delegate it out. Less is more… do we really need 15 different sides? I say no, but if you are planning on extra food so everyone can take home leftovers, I get it… So get that planned so you can rest easy that there will be a feast for your guests.

My favorite part… creating your beautiful table, the heart of thanksgiving in my opinion! I like to have all the food left in the kitchen and plated in there so that there is more room on my table for ambiance, so while the plates are stacked by the food and not at the place setting I like to create the image that the table is fully set with either a charger plate, round place mat, or even if the budget is really tight scrap book paper is a great way to create this illusion. place cards are always a sweet touch to the setting you can do so many amazing options for this however, this year I will have a thankful station set up, have my guest draw a name as they walk in the door with a stack of thank you notes to write a thank you card to leave on that persons place setting as their place card a special touch and heartfelt sentiment.

I always like to have something running down the center of the table for presentation and warmth. In addition to your must have salt and pepper, butter dish and maybe a craft or pitcher of water add some height and dimensions with candles, fall pumpkins, leaves, anything that just says THANKSGIVING but not to thick it looks cluttered or too high that you can not see the person sitting across from you, don’t over think it you can not mess this up just place your items on the table and play. I attached Amazon links of cute stuff I found to inspire you, but you can absolutely use anything you already have to create your warm table.

So lets keep it easy! At this point your table is almost set. We just need the plates, napkins and cutlery in my opinion they should all get tossed! throw it away, nobody wants to spend time doing dishes. It is worth it to purchase the nice disposable items for these necessities. you can find some cute stuff that can be tossed these days! Save yourself from laundry time for napkins, polishing silver, and sink time doing dishes…we love AMAZON right? halleluiah!

My favorite part… DRINKING GLASSES, haha I bet you didn’t see that coming… it is truly the glitter for the table! this is where you go big or go home in my opinion I love to have a nice goblet or wine glass in a accent color and texture to pop on the table, they reflect the candle light and truly make the table sparkle! Purchase this staple that can be reused over and over when entertaining at any gatherings you host, either in a fun color like a bright blue or soft teal just something that off sets your fall colors scheme a bit, maybe just a neutral but a fun texture whatever vibe you like. look at your local second hand store for these as well if you have the time, it could save a lot of money and you can find unique vintage items. I hope this helps you create your special moments this Thanksgiving, I would love to hear all about it!

* when purchasing you paper napkins keep in mind the color of your beautiful new glasses making the napkins tie in the whole table décor is aesthetic to the eye!

THANKSGIVING BLOG HACK>>> cupcake tins come in so handy in creating portion size tv dinners to just pop in the oven when ready for yummy leftovers. cover with foil they stack well in the fridge and so convenient. Line the cup with a cupcake liner if you have a cold side that you need to remove before heating! Best part once again… NO DISHES! YAY YOU!

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Thank you for reading my first Blog! Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours…CHEERS!