November has arrived and it's time to start preparing for the holiday season! Thanksgiving is November 27, 2008!
Will you be cooking the turkey this year? If you're entertaining the crew for Thanksgiving,...
WOW your guests with a Thanksgiving spread to remember!
Start by bringing an autumn feel to your front entry using Fall foliage, pumpkins, gords & dried corn in a vignette just outside the door. An autumn wreath always adds color to the front entry. Place pots or baskets full of Fall seasonal flowers by the front porch to add color and warmth to your entry. You want for your guests to feel welcome, from the moment they arrive! 
Leave your guests ranting and raving about your festive table with decorations to remember.
When setting your Thanksgiving table, use unique place card holders to add to the festive decorations. These pear and acorn holders are just perfect. 
Personalizing your guests place card settings with a quick note, reminds them of just how special they are and why you are thankful for them.... This will make them feel warm and fuzzy from the minute they sit down to your Thanksgiving feast!
EXAMPLES:
Chelsea, I am thankful for the laughter you always bring to my life!
Timothy, I am thankful for the friendship we have, you are so special to me!
Nancy, Thanksgiving just wouldn't be the same without you!
These small notes on the back of the place cards will let your guests know they are welcomed.
Whether you are setting the table to serve your guests or having a buffet style Thanksgiving spread, be sure not to overcrowd your tables. Keep your decorations to a minimum, remember less is more. Your guests will need the extra elbow room on the table and if you are serving different courses throughout the dinner, you will need the extra table space to place the different dishes down!
Try to coordinate your serving dishes as well, so that when they make it to the table they blend in with your Holiday decor!
If your serving cranberry this year, a big No No...DON'T serve it straight from the can!
Get creative with your cranberries and find a decorative bowl or dish to serve it in. Make a cranberry mold. Presentation is everything when your trying to impress the guests!
Don't forget a toast to family & friends!
Impress your guests with decadent desserts...it's not just about the pumpkin pie anymore! How about serving this delicious cranberry eggnog tart or glazed Bartlett pears. You'll find some of thease great recipes at this link below.
As always when entertaining guests, it is good to leave them with a gift to take home...a special memento from your gathering that will be a reminder of the great time they had every time that they see it. Remember to keep your gift in the theme of your Holiday decor. These cute fall boxes could be filled with your favorite candy or a small gift for your guests. Or how about these cute leaf shaped hand soaps. If you have a large crowd, a cookie cutter is an inexpensive item and makes a great gift too!
No matter how large or small, gift giving is always good for the soul !
Remember to keep continuity throughout your Thanksgiving Holiday decor and plan ahead of time! If you are well prepared, you will be able to relax and enjoy your special gathering with family and friends!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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These are all lovely ideas. I have Thanksgiving every year at me house and I am usually too stressed to be fancy. I envy people who are good at this stuff.
Michelle: Your tips for putting on a Thanksgiving to Remember (for our guests) are fabulous! I'm having T-Day at my little home this year and will be using many of your ideas. Thank you for sharing and helping those of us who are decor "challenged." I may not give YOU credit (to my guest), however. LOL
Beautiful post Michelle! Thanksgiving is MY holiday to have the family at our home and I go all out with my meal fixing everyones favorites. I use the colored leaves from the neigborhood for the table and persimmons from the trees. Now that I have grankids my runner is butcher paper, our conversation is what we are thankful for during the year as we write it down and the boys color.
Susan- I have faith that you will entertain your guests with a wonderful Thanksgiving, plan ahead and it will be stress free!
Kat- I know you will have a warm and welcoming home no matter what you do! Are you having a BIG crowd?...and Will that darling grandson be making a special appearance?
Cathy-Persimmons are great for holiday decorating! Be sure to rub them with a little vegetable oil, they'll shine right up! The butcher paper sounds absolutely lovely too! ;0) Great idea to keep the kids occupied!
Michelle: I am having a big crowd..but darn it, my sweet grandson won't be here. SOB...
May I come over? You throw some great suaree !
Great tips and ideas here. I love the idea to place a sentiment on the place cards Michelle!
Kat-A large crowd...that's great, the more the merrier!
Fernando-Thanks! You are welcome any time!
Michele-Glad you found some of these ideas handy! Will you be cooking this year?
Michelle - Thanksgiving is a holiday we celebrate at the inlaws. That means not much cooking for me - just a couple of dishes to share. I thought the name place idea would be a neat project for my family to create together for Christmas when we are hosting the extended family.
Michelle~ Thanksgiving is probably my very favorite holiday. ( Of course I love them all...) Gosh, I can't even imagine doing all of those fancy things you suggested, but maybe I will try one or two, LOL!
It's been over a decade since I've had a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal. I miss them for the most part. Except for the cranberry sauce and mince meat pie. Yuk.
Michele-Lucky you, you got out of cooking! You could always make your dishes that you'll be sharing memorable...make them over the TOP! ;)
Vickie-One or two is a great start! The key is really not about how fancy your meal is, but sharing the day with the ones you love and letting them know how much they are loved! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Russel-You know a decade is really much too long! There is no time like the present to start your own NEW traditions! You don't even have to include the mince meat if you don't want to, but you ought to try giving the cranberry another shot at it! ;)
COUNTDOWN!
12 More days till TURKEY!
COUNTDOWN!
9 More Days! Gobble, Gobble!
Great post Michelle! Full of great ideas, I love Thanksgiving :)
Wendy- Thanks! Glad you stopped by,... have a great one!
COUNTDOWN!
7 More days till some GOOD eatin'!
What a pretty post!
This year is a first for us...we're having dinner with our neighbors. I'm making the mashed potatoes and pecan pie tartlets.
Abby-Thanks for stopping by! Ooooh the Pecan Pie Tartlets sound yummy! Is that a family recipe?
COUNTDOWN!
5 More days till our tummies are FULL!
Why are we up this late???? LOL
Kat,
We ae up late missy, because we are getting ready for Thanksgiving, preparing every final detail so that everything is looking FANTASTIC and is ready for Thursday's guests! I know that's why your up late!
All of your table settings and decorations should be up and ready for the big day tomorrow!
COUNTDOWN!
1 DAY LEFT TO PREPARE!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING ACTIVE RAIN!
Have A Blessed Day!