Wanted to start this post of by saying THANK YOU! So many of you replied with your favorite natural cleaning products, and I am excited to try some of them out. I will also be compiling a list of the products that I have grown to love as well!
This year I am hosting Thanksgiving. For both families. Thats 20 people. Im freaking out and its over a month away…
In reality, I am so excited to host for both families. Both J and I love hosting events and dinners and think it is going to be extra special since it’s such a perfect holiday. No lie, I have decided that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Christmas is a close second, but Christmas involves gifts– all types of gifts, ranging from maybe letterman jackets to granny socks.
Gifts are great to give and receive but I love a holiday that is all about the meal and reflecting on what we are thankful for. And did I mention that I love the meal?!
Since it is my first time hosting, and its 20 people in my house, I am trying to be really good and plan ahead as much as a I can. I am totally that host that is running around like crazy at the last minute to get everything finished, but I cant do that for this day. I am going to possibly be scheduled with facials at my job from anywhere from 1-4. That means I will need to have everything pretty much finished before I leave {with the exception of simple directions for J on certain food items}. Here are some of my thoughts for the dinner:
For the napkin rings, instead of going out and buying rings that are either too simple and boring {you know, that can go with any holiday} or too specific {that can only be used for Thanksgiving} we are making our own. I got the idea from this amazing blog.
So fun! Makes me sad that our Canadian Thanksgiving is over for another year! Enjoy yours! Preparing is the funnest part!
Oh gurrl, I am excited to see how you inject your fab style into celebrating Thanksgiving!
I am sure your family will feel especially loved and appreciated beyond measure from your efforts. 🙂
Wow! You have so many great ideas!! I do not have to host for our families yet, but it will probably be in my future. That thought already makes me nervous! 🙂
I love that table cloth =) Thanks for sharing, and good luck!!
Adrianne – I did DIY placemats last year. They were made from burlap and I painted the guest’s initials on them. So, they tripled as placemats, place cards and a favor! (I sent them home with each couple, along with leftovers.) Here’s the DIY: http://ourdreamforeclosure.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/dreamgiving-diy/ And here’s how the table looked: http://ourdreamforeclosure.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/dreamgiving-weekend/
LOVE the fork napkin holder! So fun!
Wow, your dinner is going to be amazing! Such special details…I am excited to hear all about it. xo
Lovely ideas.
I have fun recipes for carrot souffles (made well in advance), twisted pimento cheese and candied, walnut pumpkin pies on my blog that might be fun for you.
Most of all, have fun and keep the wine flowing.
Your dinner is going to be wonderful…I love all of your ideas…especially the forks. Just remember to do all the details well in advance. They will be the things you have to delete if you get crunched for time. Wow, I wish I were coming just to see how everything looks!! ;-D
XO,
Janie
My husband and I hosted our first thanksgiving last year (for 15 people!) while in the middle of a kitchen reno! Hello, talk about stress! In the end, we totally pulled it off (not sure how), my simple but classic decor rocked it, and everyone complimented us on a job well done. You’re so right…family, food & being thankful is where it’s at. I’m sure your first time will be a success! Good luck!
I’ve been hosting Thanksgiving for the past four years now, but they’re only nine of us total, thankfully! It sounds like you’re the type like me who makes as much homemade as possible (my self-imposed rule is that everything must be homemade.) A few words of advice: Deep breath. Ok? Things will get scary at the last minute, but you will make it through. Also, I always make a “game plan” of recipes ahead of time by copying all the recipes I’m using and numbering them in the order I cook them. Do as much ahead of time as possible: cranberry sauce, pies, rolls, butter molds, and turkey stock can all be made 1-2 days in advance. Oh, and put your husband to work on kp: mine’s great at peeling potatoes. You will do great! Also, I suspect you don’t live very far from me, as I’m in the Encanto district in downtown Phoenix–so feel free to come knocking at my door is you need anything. It will go great! And if you decide to take this on again next year–believe me when I say it gets easier! I get a little smarter with hosting Thanksgiving each year. Good luck darling!
I am not great with decorations but have some cooking tips for you depending on how much you are doing yourself. (friends-giving has taught me a lot!) Also I have an awesome slow cooker stuffing recipe if you are interested! 🙂
Michelle- i remember your placemats from last year. they were so cute! Definitely a good idea.
Katie_ i cannot believe you did that in the middle of a reno! You are a superwoman!!
Susan- I am just like you, I insist on everything { and if not everything, ALMOST everything} to be homemade! You are so sweet. THanks for the encouragement. I love the Encanto district.
Krisitin- you KNOW I will be calling you for any and all advice. Esp with your turkey because you said it was so simple and it came out incredible!!
<3,
Adri
Here are a couple of good idea to help the less fortunate during the holidays.
http://godusessinners.blogspot.com/2011/10/holiday-meal-challenge-help-needy.html
loving your blog – just came across it and its lovely
following you with google follower
🙂
hugs
Betty Bake x
CROCK POTS!!! I love your blog and I LOVE your floors.
Crock pots are a life saver. Borrow an extra if you can. You can make the potatoes and stuffing ( and other big dishes ) ahead of time and throw them in to keep warm until it’s time to serve. Another huge help is that my husband keeps up with the dishes as we are cooking. It really makes a difference.
I don’t have a blog or a profile or anything but feel free to email me at erin at shoreandcountrykitchens dot com. We fly from CT to CA every year and host the dinner for a big group so I might have a few tidbits of insight for you!! At least I’d like to think I do. Ha ha.
I was searching around for good tips for thanksgiving. Since, mom would always do this all for us, this time I wanna try doing all the preparation for thanksgiving. Orange is really a lovely color. Thanks for your ideas. 🙂