The big day is coming fast! I love love love Thanksgiving! And that means lots of family, and celebrating and food and fun for most of us! It’s that All-American holiday that comes along in late fall every year drawing us together in a collective spirit of gratitude! Let’s be truthful… along with all the fun comes lots and lots of work! This entire post is dedicated creating the best Thanksgiving you can for your friends and family! It’s loaded with tons of tips for the hostess and the guest alike! Here’s how to celebrate Thanksgiving in style and ease!
Just a few days left to enter this month’s giveaway!
Today I’m just one of many blogs celebrating Thanksgiving with an inspiring table and helpful tips! This big, talented group of bloggers will get together in a month or so to talk Christmas table and tips! You will LOVE LOVE LOVE all the inspiration!!!!
A big thank you to Lory at DESIGNTHUSIASM and Janet from SHABBYFUFU for getting this beautiful bunch of tablescapes and bloggers together!
I set a super easy outdoor fall tablescape this week. It’s sort of a Thanksgiving “dry run” table. Although we will be eating inside, this table is just like the one I’ll be setting for family and friends on Thanksgiving day!
This post is full of tablescape ideas and a big mish-mosh of tips and traditions!
Here’s your first tip… Plan out your Thanksgiving table early! Set it, take pictures of every detail and deconstruct it. Put all the tableware from plates to flatware to glasses in dish pans and stash them in your laundry room, garage or even under your bed. Just think how easy it will be to pull everything out and set your Thanksgiving table!
Here’s another tip: set your table several days before Thanksgiving! There’s enough to do on Turkey day!
If you are using real leaves like me, cut them Thanksgiving morning and put them in a big bucket of water in your garage or outside near your home. Keep them cool and submerged in water!
Cut branches will last a couple hours on your table before they begin to wilt. But they look so so glorious!
Number 1 Thanksgiving tip: If someone asks to help… SAY YES!!!!! Many hands make light work! Take that to the bank! Work and chat and nibble and have fun! Crank up the music and dance!
Others will want to join in too! If you have not read THE VERY BEST THANKSGIVING TIP YOU WILL EVER GET do it now!!!! This will save you so much work and change the way you look at Thanksgiving!!!!!! You can thank me now, because this idea is brilliant! No seriously, read it NOW! I’ll wait!
Instead of a tablecloth think about using a blanket or throw on your Thanksgiving table. It is the perfect background for a warm, natural look! I have two Ancient Buchanan wool tartans to go on the table this year. Because they are so colorful, I’m keeping the rest of my table very simple!
Let’s talk about dishes! This dish pattern is very popular right now. I have 8 of them but will be investing in another 8 place setting this week! They are sturdy and quite reasonable! Now is the perfect time to buy new dishes if you need them. Many times you will find them on sale before Thanksgiving!
White dishes are my first choice for tablescaping and for eating from. They make food look the best!
I’ve had my everyday Mikasa dishes for two decades now and they have been the workhorses of my kitchen. But, they are showing their age and I am buying new dishes for Thanksgiving this year!
I usually serve Thanksgiving buffet style. That way, I can decorate my table without worrying where platters and bowls will go. If you are serving a big meal with lots and lots of dishes think about buffet style! Coordinate your buffet with some of the same elements that are on your table. I’ll be adding lots of these saturated ash leaves in glass cylinders to the buffet!
I love stacking dishes at each place setting, but this year’s table is set with one dinner plate that can be taken from the table to the buffet line. If you need another plate for salad or dessert keep them at the buffet.
You know, you don’t have to put all the food out on a buffet all at once. Consider serving the salad, bread, etc first on the buffet. And then the big meal and then follow it with dessert.
We often serve dessert much later in the evening with some great cocktails! Then family and friends are ready for something sweet!
Here’s another great idea for serving a big crowd. If you don’t have room to ask your friends and extended family over for the main Thanksgiving meal, have them over for Thanksgiving dessert later Thanksgiving evening! We have done this in the past and it is so so much fun! Most of the time our friends offer to bring a dessert and we end up with the most scrumptious selections of goodies!
And speaking of dessert, I usually have dessert set up on the buffet in my dining room. Drinks are usually setup in the foyer and the Thanksgiving buffet in the kitchen. Use your house to set up different stations! This works amazingly well! And if someone asks to help, manning the drink or dessert station is an easy job to give them and it’s fun!
I’m not a fan of doing so much work to prepare a meal and everyone gobbling it up and leaving the table! I love to sit and talk and laugh and linger over a meal and good libations! Thanksgiving is a meal to linger over!
If you are a guest for Thanksgiving dinner, it might be nice to check with the hostess and see if she could use some of your dishes or serving pieces. We do this in our family when we all get together! Collectively we have a gorgeous and amazing stash!!!!!
If you don’t have enough of one kind of dishes for your Thanksgiving table MIX AND MATCH. Setting a table with a few different dish patterns that work well together is always gorgeous!!!!!! This is my favorite way to set a table!
If you are a guest this year, why not send your hostess a set of eight pretty dessert plates? Send them now so she can use them on Thanksgiving day! See “get the look” for some dessert plate ideas!
Sometimes we need permission to use paper products. So here it is… YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO USE PAPER PRODUCTS. There are so many fabulous styles and motifs! If it makes your life easier… DO IT!
I happen to like cloth napkins, but I would also use some pretty paper ones especially for appetizers or drinks or desserts. Do what YOU like and what works best for YOU! Don’t stress yourself out over the little details! Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks… not to have your last nerve plucked!
Here’s another idea if you are a guest… send some gorgeous matching paper products to your hostess!
When decorating your Thanksgiving table think “simple”! I love to set very elaborate tables, but I think easy is best for Thanksgiving!
Shop your home and garden first and use what you have! If you need to get something new make sure it will work for other get togethers too.
I cut these brilliant golden branches from our ash tree in the front yard. Only leaves and pumpkins for this table. So easy to put together! I scattered some leaves on the table and added some to different glass cylinders to make a bountiful centerpiece!
I collected the white pumpkins I’ve been using this fall from around StoneGable and concentrated them on the table! Like I said… EASY!
Keep a centerpiece low enough so your guests can see over it to talk. I do have one tall glass cylinder with a few ash branches on the table, but it is wispy enough to see through it.
Ask one of your guests to be in charge of activities around the Thanksgiving table. At StoneGable we have a tradition called THE LEGEND OF THE FIVE KERNELS OF CORN. If you’ve not read about it click HERE. There are lots of great games, fun facts, and puzzles to be found!
Let everyone at your table have time to talk. It’s fun to ask a question and let everyone answer it. You can find some great questions HERE, HERE, and HERE.
The Thanksgiving table is a wonderful place to learn the history of your family. Let the older generations tell stories and answer questions. It was at a Thanksgiving table long ago I learned that I come from the royal line of Gypsies! We have murders and horse thieves in our family! And as my Nani told it that is what made us royalty! We are no longer a practicing branch of gypsy royalty!
It’s important to engage everyone around your Thanksgiving table! A good hostess draws out the more quiet guests and gives the attention grabbing one a job to to so he/she does not steal the spotlight all dinner long!
One year, everyone at the table wrote on a card 3 things we would like someone to pray for on our behalf during the year and three things we are thankful for. Everyone picked one card and prayed for those specific prayer request and thanked God for those things we are grateful for. Just before Thanksgiving the next year I got a beautiful note from one of the guests at our table saying he was blessed to pray for me all year long. What a treasure!!!!!
If you are a guest this year, think about giving your hostess a set of Table Topics. See “get the look” below to see more. We love to use these fun conversation starters! It’s amazing what you will learn.
Now for some very practical advice: MAKE A LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE! Always start your Thanksgiving day planning early. Like right now! Use your mobile, laptop or good old paper and pencil! I like to use graph paper to make a timeline, menu, shopping list, guest list and anything else I need to remember!
There is just something so rewarding about ticking something off my list!
Because we have out of town family I usually have a house of guest from Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving until the following Sunday or Monday. Here are some tips for for hosting overnight guest…
If at all possible have someone come in and clean your home and guest rooms right before Thanksgiving! I know it’s an extra expense, but with all a hostess has to do it’s worth it! This keeps me sane! I have a friend who knows my home inside and out and she helps me!
Set up a self-serve continental breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. Or better yet ask a family member or guest to do it for you! You can see an easy no cook-no fuss Thanksgiving continental breakfast HERE.
If you are an overnight guest during Thanksgiving volunteering to bring in and set up a breakfast. It would be such a help to your hostess. Just discuss this in advance! No surprises!
Thanksgiving means leftovers! If you are having overnight or weekend guests make sure to make extra for leftovers! Everyone loves them! I usually make an additional small turkey a couple days before Thanksgiving to make sure I have enough turkey and stuffing for leftovers! I also like to send my guest home with a small bag of Thanksgiving leftovers! Chinese food containers work brilliantly for leftovers!
We have the most wonderful Black Friday tradition! We don’t go shopping! Instead we wake up and all the women in the house raid the frig and sit around in their jammies drinking coffee and eat our favorite leftovers for breakfast while we chat and read holiday magazines. It’s so so so much fun! My breakfast always includes stuffing and gravy! YIKES! Breakfast usually goes well past noon and then we all take a nap!
Don’t forget lots and lots of baggies and aluminum foil and plastic wrap and containers for leftovers! Add those to your grocery list… now!
Don’t cook every meal if you have overnight guests! Eat out at least once and get take-out for another meal. Thanksgiving is such a huge meal let some of the other’s be easy!
We start our Christmas season off the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving by doing something Christmassy that the whole family would love since we are all together! Decorate a tree, rent a Christmas video, take a Christmas photo, go see a Christmas show or musical. This is a Thanksgiving/Christmas tradition.
One year when my sister was hosting Thanksgiving we all went on a Christmas candlelight tour of Mount Vernon. It was spectacular! Big or small the point is to be together and transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas!
Don’t forget to play some amazing Christmas music!
Here are some nice things a guest can do if they are staying overnight:
- Ask your hostess if you can strip the bed and take the bedding and towels down to the laundry room before leaving!
- Leave a little Christmas gift in the room you stayed in for the hostess.
- Empty the trash in the bathroom
- If you have your own bathroom, give it a “swish and swipe” before you leave
- Be the designated dish washer for the Thanksgiving meal
- Bring a beautiful live Christmas wreath for your host’s front door
- take them out to dinner over the weekend and pick up the tab
- Leave a beautiful Christmas book with a thank you note inside!
Just writing this post has me so excited and inspired for Thanksgiving! I wish you and all who grace your table a very very blessed and joyous Thanksgiving!
And if you are reading this you are on my list of “things to be thankful for” this year. I love you all and am deeply thankful for your loyalty to StoneGable and friendship to me!
If you missed Monday’s posts:
Designthusiasm | French Country Cottage | Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Kelley Nan | Bless’er House | Maison de Pax
If you missed Tuesday’s posts:
Town and Country Living | CitrineLiving | Sand and Sisal
Zevy Joy | Life on Virginia Street | Design, Dining and Diapers
If you missed Wednesday’s posts:
Decor Gold Designs | ZDesign At Home | Randi Garrett Design
Ella Claire | So Much Better With Age | My Soulful Home
Coming Friday:
Sunny Side Up | Finding Home Farms | The Wood Grain Cottage
Setting for Four | Becky Cunningham
You might like to follow me on Pinterest and see what I’m finding to pin every day HERE.
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Norma Rolader commented
October 31, 2017 at 8:33 pmJust love the colors of your table and the view … awesome
Karen commented
October 30, 2017 at 6:28 amEvery picture is beautiful! I love all of the ideas. Living on the coast we don’t get all of the fall colors but I enjoy seeing them and how beautifully you bring them into your home.
Thank you for sharing.
Sue O'Quinn commented
October 24, 2017 at 8:50 pmLots of lovely ideas! Every picture looks beautiful!
Janet Tucker commented
October 18, 2017 at 4:02 amLove Gods creativity of the Fall colors & you are amazing put them together in your home.
Norma Rolader commented
October 16, 2017 at 9:27 amOh my awesome information as always God bless
Claire commented
November 13, 2016 at 8:05 pmAnother tip if you’re a guest – bring your own containers for leftovers!
StoneGable commented
November 14, 2016 at 12:07 amGood tip, Claire! Thanks!
Mary commented
November 6, 2016 at 7:44 pmYvonne, I made it my mission this weekend to search through dozens of blogs, looking for inspiration to update my kitchen/family great room. It’s now Sunday night and I have returned to YOU……
Congratulations on your precious grandson! He’s beautiful and STRONG! I have not been blessed with grandchildren yet….. both children are still in college. But I’ve been told by many that there is NOTHING like it!!!
Anyway, after reading all of your posts I am indeed inspired to begin redecorating little by little as my purse allows. I truly love your “look”, decorating with every detail in mind. Your furniture, colors…..everything speaks to me. Thank you SO much!
Carole Klopschinski commented
November 5, 2016 at 6:26 pmYvonne…as usual your post is beautiful and full of inspiration! Thanks for all you give your readers.
Jenny commented
November 3, 2016 at 8:06 pmGreat ideas!
Heidi commented
October 31, 2016 at 2:57 pmI really enjoy your newsletter. Each morning it’s one of the first things I look at. So many great decorating ideas. Glad you are sharing your special talent.
Fabiana commented
October 30, 2016 at 11:16 amWhat an ELEGANT and GORGEOUS tablescape, Yvonne!
I’m sharing it today on my HOLIDAY GROUP Board on Pinterest.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving, ciao ciao!
StoneGable commented
October 30, 2016 at 6:01 pmThanks so so much Fabiana! I LOVE my pinners!
Jennifer - Decor Gold Designs commented
October 29, 2016 at 7:41 pmAbsolutely beautiful! The combination of white pumpkins, natural fall branches and plaid make my heart sing! Your tips are helpful and practical. Such a wonderful post!
Janie commented
October 29, 2016 at 7:38 pmThis is my favorite post you’ve ever done! I’ve read it top to bottom twice and a few bits three times. I’ve read the links too. It’s all just good stuff to remember, especially when hosting a get-together. I only host parties a couple of times a year so I feel like I forget a few important things. Everything always works out of course but I really love some of the hints I hadn’t thought of. It’s all about making everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. Thank you so much for this!
Tamara commented
October 29, 2016 at 5:18 pmYvonne I love this table! The colors are outstanding! I’m in love with those tartans!
Chloe Crabtree commented
October 29, 2016 at 1:28 pmWhite dishes are always a lovely choice, no matter the season or occasion, aren’t they? Your table is lovely, I like to use a throw for a tablecloth, also. All of the white pumpkins are so pretty scattered and stacked down your table. The pretty yellow leaves are such a nice contrast to the white pumpkins. I agree with you, buffet style is the only way to go when you have a housefull for Thanksgiving!
Sandee commented
October 29, 2016 at 6:31 amLove your Thanskgiving table! I love Thanksgiving and I always host dinner. I have had a hard time finding white pumpkins this year. I love the whole with the orange leaves- beautiful! Congratulations on your new bundle of joy. There is nothing better than being a grandmother. Your life will take a wonderful new turn. It’s truly amazing how much grandchildren can change your life!
Annie commented
October 29, 2016 at 1:02 amYvonne your table is beautiful! I loved the combination of golden leaves, plaid blanket and white pumpkins… perfect!
Amanda commented
October 28, 2016 at 12:32 pmBeautiful! Love bringing the outside in on your tablescape. (Or I guess keeping the outside out?) Great idea for exchanging prayer requests. Love your blog you have a beautiful home. I made the sweater pumpkins you had posted and am enjoying them SO much they were a fast and easy craft.
StoneGable commented
October 28, 2016 at 4:32 pmHi Amanda, So happy to hear that you have made those cute little sweater pumpkins! Aren’t they adorable?
Shirley@Housepitality Designs commented
October 28, 2016 at 11:10 amI love when you set a table with the wonderful views of the fields in your backyard!!!….So beautiful Yvonne!
Randi commented
October 28, 2016 at 3:04 amI loved your beautiful tips and gorgeous photos! xo
StoneGable commented
October 28, 2016 at 7:32 amTHANKS, Randi!
Lory at Designthusiasm commented
October 28, 2016 at 12:58 amYvonne, Such wonderful tips for holiday entertaining! Your table is so rich and welcoming and I most love that blanket throw on the table offset by those lovely golden leaved branches! Wishing you and yours a beautiful Thanksgiving!!
StoneGable commented
October 28, 2016 at 7:33 amLory, same to you! Thank you so much for including me in this fabulous series!
Tracey commented
October 27, 2016 at 10:46 pmYour guest tips make me wish I were staying with friends! Such sweet gift ideas!!!
My daughter wants to cook this year! Bless her, she has no idea what she is in for!! ? That, and she doesn’t really “cook,” but I am handing the reins over, well, to a degree ( she wants my help), and hoping she enjoys it!
With three under six underfoot, I don’t expect a beautiful table, but maybe that is something I can do, or have them help make some decorative items, or take them on a nature walk to pick out some tidbits like I used to do with her at Christmas!
Whatever happens-we have nearly survived another year ( literally after two of my littles and I survived what could have been a tragic accident on September), financial struggles, health issues, job woes and changes, and -we are still in the fight!!
StoneGable commented
October 28, 2016 at 7:34 amYOu have a whole lot to be thankful for this year, Tracey! How fun that you are helping your daughter learn to be a fabulous hostess!
Doreen commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:27 pmThanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
Your table is lovely as always.
StoneGable commented
October 28, 2016 at 7:35 amDoreen, I love it too!
Bonnie commented
October 27, 2016 at 5:30 pmThanks so much for sharing the good tips about getting an early start when preparing for Thanksgiving. Very helpful! I really enjoyed the story about the legend of the 5 kernels of corn also.
Mary commented
October 27, 2016 at 5:29 pmDear Yvonne,
First, congratulations on your new grandchild! Such a blessing! You will love being a grandma – it’s the BEST!
Your table is beautiful, as always. I love the mixture of color and texture. You are gifted in pulling together so many lovely and inspiring ideas and I thank you for generously sharing your talents with us. Your “best tips” truly are the best. I have been using the “dishpan” method ever since I saw it on your blog and it is a game changer!! I use it for any large dinner or gathering and it has made such a difference.
Hugs to you!
StoneGable commented
October 28, 2016 at 7:36 amOh yea!!!! I think we should all be a part of a club… THE DISHPAN CLUB! And wear pins on our aprons as we cook! So glad it made a positive difference in your life! HUGS!
Bev commented
October 27, 2016 at 4:10 pmWhat a truly Pilgrims’ table; at least I think they celebrated outside. We in St. Louis will have our furnaces going at that time. Congratulations on the new grandbaby. Babies are such a gift from God. I will not be hosting but love the idea of taking dessert dishes to the “cooker”. The idea of a natural table setting is ideal. I’ll try the idea of each one writing on a notecard 3 things you wish to be prayed for in the upcoming year.
Lila Housden commented
October 27, 2016 at 3:51 pmOf all the items today the Tartan Throw is my favorite! I’ve been in love with Tartan Plaids since I was just a little girl!
LuAnn Meyer commented
October 27, 2016 at 3:17 pmI’m blessed to be traveling with my husband to Canada to spend Thanksgiving with my son and his family. I’m really unfamiliar with Ottawa so finding nice items like this ( & with 2 active little ones @ the table) may be a challenge for me. I’d love to do this for my daughter in law. She made the home they lived in at the time look like this when we shared Thanksgiving ( pre-kiddos), several years ago. Mason jar apple pies embellish with leaves, included.
Thank you for sharing all of your amazing ideas. And, thank you for sharing your wonderful faith!
StoneGable commented
October 28, 2016 at 7:37 amMy brother in law is Canadian and we have celebrated Thanksgiving in October too!
Dawn commented
October 27, 2016 at 2:53 pmSo pretty Yvonne and I love that the table is set outside. I wish our November was warm enough for outdoor dining, but we’ll have snow by then.
Jacy Cole commented
October 27, 2016 at 2:36 pmThank you Yvonne! Such a wonderful and helpful post!!
Our french Oasis commented
October 27, 2016 at 1:29 pmI wish we had Thanksgiving just so I could have fun incorporating so many of these fantastic ideas! Alas we shall have to wait until Christmas, but I will have fun reading all about it just the same and I will still use as many of the table setting hints as I can when we have friends over to dinner.
Sharon commented
October 27, 2016 at 12:32 pmYou really know how to set a beautiful table. I love the tartan with the leaves and pumpkins. I’m not hosting this year, but now I wish I were!
Vicki N. Martin commented
October 27, 2016 at 12:00 pmSuch inexpensive ideas and bring nature to the table, what a wonderful idea for Thanksgiving. I love the fall leaves. Thanks Yvonne
Karen VanLoo commented
October 27, 2016 at 11:32 amI love all of your ideas and your tablescape! I was just going over my grocery list this morning. My sister and I do all of the cooking, my family comes to my house. I keep a list of all of the ingredients we need every Thanksgiving in my computer, that way every year I have a list of all ingredients including spices that I need! We usually make the same things every year, because we are carrying down traditions from our Mother and Grandmothers. That helps to make it easy. I love decorating my table, and we do our dinner buffet style as well. I am like you, I LOVE Thanksgiving! Just four weeks from today!
Paula Nicholson commented
October 27, 2016 at 11:21 amYou have some wonderful ideas that I will for sure be using this Thanksgiving! Your table scape is beautiful in every way! I love the idea of the 3 thankful things and 3 things that you would like someone to pray for on your behalf. What an awesome idea! Thank you so much for sharing your blessings! I love your blog š
Jill commented
October 27, 2016 at 11:19 amSuch beautiful photos
Celia Becker @ AfterOrangeCounty.com commented
October 27, 2016 at 11:15 amHi Yvonne, I got the link to your lovely post over on The Enchanted Home and am delighted to find your blog. Your beautiful table makes such good use of all that nature has to offer this time of year. My favorite thing about your table was the use of that pretty plaid throw as your tablecloth. BRILLIANT! Happy fall!
StoneGable commented
October 27, 2016 at 2:58 pmHi Celia, Welcome to the StoneGable family!!!
Julie commented
October 27, 2016 at 11:04 amThis is my favorite post on Thanksgiving tips ever! There are so many great ideas that I am going to implement into my preparations for the big dinner. And the fact that you permit paper products makes my day!!! A lot of my guests will be leaving the table for the t.v to watch the football game, and doing dishes after all that food is not on my wish list, so paper it is!
Jane commented
October 27, 2016 at 10:12 amYou must be forever 39. Your energy amazes me. I can only imagine the wonderful time your guests share in your holiday home. Remember to recruit extra help, as you may wish to snuggle your precious grand baby this Thanksgiving.
StoneGable commented
October 27, 2016 at 3:08 pmJane, Anderson Turesdale Tuke came into this world on Saturday. A little early and unexpected… but just beautiful! My cup is overflowing!!!!!!!!
Amy K commented
October 27, 2016 at 10:10 amThis was a wonderful post Yvonne. So much info in one place. I love that. Your table and ideas are wonderful as usual. I hope one day you write a book on entertaining. It would be a great one I’m sure!
Patti commented
October 27, 2016 at 10:07 amI nearly feel energized for holidays after reading this !
We have our youngest daughter’s wedding in 11 days – once
that is a happy wrap – I will embrace the traditions of my youth.
Happy thoughts and well wishes to you and yours.
StoneGable commented
October 27, 2016 at 3:07 pmOh what a happy time for you Patti and a gorgeous time for a wedding! Many good wishes and blessings for the couple and blessings for a long and happy marriage!
Leeann commented
October 27, 2016 at 9:59 amI never thought to add real leaves to the table. What a great idea!!
http://www.memoriesandmacchiatos.com
Theresa Kleinschmidt commented
October 27, 2016 at 9:58 amThanks for all the holiday tips for hostings an enjoyable Thanksgiving gathering of family and friends. I love to cook the traditional family meal and your tips will make mine more memorable. Blessings to you ,Yvonne.
Vicki S commented
October 27, 2016 at 9:36 amWonderful suggestions! I am hosting this year, so now is the time to put the wheels in motion. I keep a small spiral of meals from past years. I try to serve favorite recipes and record what didn’t work so well! Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and I’m thankful for your blog!
StoneGable commented
October 27, 2016 at 2:59 pmMy sister-in-law does the same thing! So smart, Vicki. Thanks for the tip!
Nancy commented
October 27, 2016 at 9:23 amI have been looking at so many beautiful tablescapes in blogland. Where do you put the food? Do you serve buffet style or pass one thing at a time. We have a small family gathering that sit around the table and all the food is on the table.
StoneGable commented
October 27, 2016 at 3:06 pmYes, read the post above. I have ideas for that too!
susan commented
October 27, 2016 at 9:23 amI love your view, it’s perfect! This is such a simple and elegant table. I love how you used the leaves and that plaid throw! xo
Clare Godleski commented
October 27, 2016 at 9:22 amThanks for your great ideas! We have lots of little ones staying with us during Thanksgiving – 5 kids to be exact all under age 7. And more coming most of the days, all under age 7! So 8 kids altogether and 7 adults. I would love some ideas for entertaining with grandkids. It gets pretty crazy with all those adorable little ones and I love it but I sure do welcome ideas for when they are all at my house. Ways to keep things organized, should the kids sit at the main table or their own little table, etc. Things to do with them after Thanksgiving – we are going to a movie on Friday. ANY ideas are welcomed!!! Thanks, Clare
StoneGable commented
October 27, 2016 at 3:05 pmGosh! I bet my readers could really help you with ideas, Clare! I love the idea of setting a special table just for the kids. I usually have games and fun things for them to do. One big thing… if the weather is nice go for lots of walks! Kids “need to blow the stink off” as my mother-in-law always said! You don’t need to count your blessings… they are around your table!
Phyl commented
October 27, 2016 at 9:18 amWe go to our daughter’s home for Thanksgiving, so thank you for the girt ideas. It is so fun to see her take over the holiday with the help of her parents.. I also like the use of leaves on your table which we could do. Thanks again for all your inspiration.
Ann commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:55 amWell Yvonne…I don’t even know where to start! It’s all so welcoming and perfectly lovely. I’ve done an outside dinner just once and it was years ago. I think it might be time for me to tackle it again! Happy to be on the tour with you today. The happiest of Thanksgivings to you and yours. ~Ann
Judy commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:55 amGood Morning Yvonne… I Love Thanksgiving too! Thanks for all of the beautiful pictures, great ideas and the attitude of Counting our Blessings … every day! Love and hugs, Judy
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:50 amYvonne, I’d love to pull up a chair at your cozy Thanksgiving table! So beautiful with the plaid tablecloth and those golden yellow leaves!
Nancy @ Slightly Coastal commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:50 amWhat a gorgeous table. I believe we will be dining al fresco this year so I loved this setting! On making a list…my mother-in-law started a 3 ring binder right after they were married because she only knew how to make a few dishes and didn’t want to serve the same thing to the same people. She wrote down what she was going to serve in the book and then added who attended the meal making notes about the recipes she used for future reference and funny anecdotes about the meal (like the year we left the green beans in the oven through the meal). She has kept it going through the years for every party and holiday. Now she has nearly 50 years of meals and attendees listed in the book. Of course she really, really can cook now. It’s so fun to look back through the book to see who was at Thanksgiving dinner in 1987 and what she served. All of the great-grands have passed now and it is a treasure to remember when we altogether. Happy early Thanksgiving!
StoneGable commented
October 27, 2016 at 3:02 pmWhat a “history” book you have! Such a treasure!
Suzy commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:38 amThanksgiving is my favorite holiday! These are such wonderful tips and ideas! I especially like the dishpan idea! Right now, my home is in a bit of an upheaval with the main bathroom under re-construction, so I will probably not be hosting Thanksgiving. Once the bathroom is finished, I will be doing some reorganizing in the house. I would love to have some decorator advice.
Velda commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:37 amAlthough Thanksgiving has already been celebrated here in Canada there are some great idea,s and tips that can be applied to any gathering. Thank you.
Jayna Scott commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:22 amWhere are the white dishes with the dots around the edge from?? I love them!
StoneGable commented
October 27, 2016 at 2:59 pmI found them at HomeGoods!
Pam Richardson commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:21 amYvonne, a gorgeous table and great tips! I host Thanksgiving every year and prepare all the food which I so enjoy! Organization is definitely the key! Happy Thursday, Pam @ Everyday Living
Linda Rossi commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:20 amThis is the best Thanksgiving post I have read – gorgeous decorating, useful tips and contagious enthusiasm!!! Thank you for taking the time to provide a creative and inspiring presentation for your followers. Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to you and your family (plus one on the way)!
StoneGable commented
October 27, 2016 at 3:01 pmThanks, Linda! Happy Thanksgiving and blessings to you too!
The Enchanted Home commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:13 amGorgeous but i expected nothing less;) Love the idea of an outdoor table for Thanksgiving and really enjoyed (and just might have to copy) your idea of everyone writing down three people/things they want to pray for, what a beautiful tradition to set. Happy holidays!
Jamie commented
October 27, 2016 at 8:11 amBeautiful! Love the idea of using a blanket as a table cloth – I may have to steal that one!
Kim Nichols commented
October 27, 2016 at 7:40 amLove the golds with the plaid blanket. Great tips!
Amy Chalmers commented
October 27, 2016 at 7:26 amYvonne, what a wonderful tip list for all things Thanksgiving!! Your table draped in that cozy fall blanket as the underpinning for your dinner really sets a traditional and beautiful tone. Happy to be partying with you today!
(ps can you check and fix my link? )
Janet commented
October 27, 2016 at 7:18 amI love white dishes as well for so many reasons, especially the fact that they don’t compete with the food!
DiB commented
October 27, 2016 at 5:13 pmHave always used white plates……..they never fail to make a pretty table.
SA Collins commented
October 27, 2016 at 7:15 amBeautiful Table…I so wish that I had the time to create a table this nice. I just recently found your blog and am grateful for all the ideas.
StoneGable commented
October 27, 2016 at 7:16 amWelcome to the StoneGable family!!! So glad you found us!
Alice commented
October 27, 2016 at 7:05 amLovely. I enjoy reading your posts as well as the seeing the beautiful photos. Good tips for house guests.