Thursday, November 6, 2008

Hosting Thanksgiving









I know it's a few weeks early, but I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, and as a professional fundraiser/special event planner, I have to plan these things out. I'm already thinking about the menu, table settings and decor. What about you?

I found a few pics on the web, though so far, nothing really appeals to me. The number of guests we'll be hosting is still up in the air. It could be as few as 7, with all seated at our main, kitchen table, or it could be as many as 19, which could include a kids' table.

I've always wanted to do a burlap table cloth or runner, so that's a given. I'll probably do some sort of pumpkin/squash centerpiece. Other than that, I don't really have any preferences, except that I want something low-key and natural. Do you have your Thanksgiving decorations in mind yet?

15 comments:

Carly Rodriguez said...

Since we moved to Austin, away from our family, we will be traveling this thanksgiving but I'll dream of these beautiful settings and wish I could design my own.

Carly Rodriguez said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Naples Modern said...

I love reading your blog - we are from Texas, living in Florida, and I am also in fundraising and event planning. I have been wondering what to do with my Thanksgiving table too! I'd love for you to visit my blog!

Melinda

Anonymous said...

I'm doing a tablescape presentation tomorrow at All About Home. If it's successful and I get a couple of pictures, I plan to blog it, early next week. Lori is pulling things out for me to work off of. I'm going in today, to see what she has in mind. Not done this before!

We're having Thanksgiving at the lake. I will be transporting some dishes, there. I went to Walmart the other day and picked up glass plates with a swirl design for $1.00 each and will use those. Some of the kids won't be there, so I only needed 6. I'm taking along some other things from here. I'll do the larger round table for adults and pull in the small round table from the deck, for the kids.

The plan now is to use brown and white. I'm taking my birch bark candleholders to use in the center pieces. Which are simple candle rings.

We're all getting together for brunch, the Sunday before. Thanksgiving Day at the lake is something different for us.

dec0r8or said...

This will be my first event hosted in my new house, Sandra. I can't wait! I have a lot to get done before then, and I have been scouring the internet for some interesting side dishes. I'll probably end up with my old stand-byes though, because we are a family hooked on tradiion.

I did a table setting years ago for a fundraiser, and it was this time of year. I have the picture on my website. Here's the link:
http://www.interiorimage.com/images/portfolio/dine_close.JPG

Hey, I just realized this is going to be YOUR first holiday in the new place too, right? Yay!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I know I probably mentioned this before, but I love the photo in your header. Every time your page opens, I go, "Ahhh!" I'd love to have a view like that from MY porch. :)

I don't know what we're doing for Thanksgiving this year. Usually I host it, but we might be going to visit Dave's family in Northern Indiana since we haven't been there in a long time. It might be nice to take a year off from hosting, but it's something I really do enjoy.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Ooooh! Natural thanksgiving, eh? How about pinecone or acorns as placecard holders...and a brancholier....and lots of bittersweet twigs...and....

It'll be lovely! And not too soon at all to start planning!

sandra/tx said...

Sharon, yes, this is the first TG in our house. Hard to believe we've been here almost a year.

Sharon, I couldn't get your link to work. :-( This will be an exciting holiday season for you and Kathleen, too, celebrating in your new cottage.

Pat, I can't wait to see what you come up with at All About Home. Linda, you have some great ideas for tablescapes. Seriously. I may have to print those out.

Julia, that header pic came from the Balcones Woods home. It's magazine gorgeous, isn't it? Has it snowed yet in Ohio?

Cherry Blossom, I love your blog. Welcome to Austin. Melinda, I haven't had a chance to visit your blog, but I look forward to it. Sounds like we have quite a bit in common. :-)

Amber Cargile said...

Just the four of us here, so it'll be simple. It will also be on the patio by the kiva and pool, per normal!

Becca Watson said...

I get to do Thanksgiving in my new home this year. It will be my first time hosting Thankksgiving, but there will only be 3 or 4 of us. And we don't have a dining room table yet.. Should be fun though..

Katie @ makingthishome.com said...

It's almost as if you read my mind. I posted about figuring out Thanksgiving hosting today, too. ...except mine was more of a plea for help. This Thanksgiving will be my first, and we're expecting ten people. Your post gives me this feeling like everything is going to be okay. Thank you for that.
Katie

Nola said...

Don't know what we'll be doing or where we'll be giving Thanks this year. I love some of those photos of yours! I need to get inspired and get off my rear!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

We started out with three...Hubbie, myself and a grown son from out of town...now it has expanded to 3 more - friends of our son. There is the possibility of 2 more of OUR friends. That is what Thanksgiving is I think. The burlap sounds good. I did that earlier this fall for a wine dinner we hosted. I think I might go that way again..thanks for the idea!

Anonymous said...

I'm hosting as well this year. So far the head count 24 and holding. I'm planning on emptying my living room of all it's regular furniture to build a King's table, so everyone can sit around the same table. I did this a few years back and it worked out great. It's really nice to have everyone gathered around one giant table!

Sweet Designs said...

Hi, Thank you for putting my picture on your blog (the first one with the plaid and poinsetta dishes), I don't mind if folks use my picture, but I do prefer to be asked first....