Creating tablescapes is a great way to make your holiday meals look next level.
The holidays are an amazing time to gather with family and friends, however, many people experience stress over the holidays from all the little things. Some spend more money than they should, eat more than they should and take on more than they can handle.
We love to get together as a family but the house is really full when we all come together – 30 of us, when everyone is home. It used to be that whoever was hosting the holiday (usually my Dad and Mom) would spend money to decorate all the tables and provide the turkey and ham, then we would all bring dishes to help with the meal. We all realized that was a big financial and time burden for any one person/family or home.
I came up with a plan that has been so helpful but also a really great way for us to bond together.
Now, each family participates in hosting and creating a tablescape at our holiday gathering. In addition to bringing food, we design, plan out and bring any decor needed for the table we are hosting. With 30 of us, we usually use paper plates so it is easy clean up – but this year we choose to use regular plates (I may have had something to do with that so I could take these lovely pics for you).
My siblings and I enjoy a little healthy rivalry when it comes to family events. It has become a fun challenge to leave small gifts at each place setting. Things like chocolates, dollar bills, lottery cards, Christmas crackers, notebooks and all kinds of goodies. It’s not necessary but something we all love to do!
I love seeing each personality come out in every table and I have been inspired from their tables! I love that we all think so differently and have fun celebrating each others diversity.
This year, Thanksgiving was hosted at my sister and brother-in-law’s new home instead of my Mom & Dad’s. We all jumped in to make the day special and lightened the load. We didn’t want my sister to provide everything and host all the tables too. It was important that She could enjoy the day and not regret having us all there or be totally exhausted!
I wanted to share some Tablescape ideas with you from Thanksgiving 2019.
Table #1: My Sister Rachel’s Table
Rachel used black and white as the basis for her theme. It was stunningly beautiful with its crisp clean look. White pumpkins, black candles in brass holders with a touch of eucalyptus to set it all off!
Black and white plates where a great mix with the trendy black and white napkins!
Table #2: My Mom’s Table
Mom used the harvest as an inspiration to start from. Dark rich colors such as eggplant and orange. She used pumpkins, gourds and fresh artichokes and grape clusters as eye catching pieces down the table. The warm glow of the candles clustered on either end of the table was inviting.
She used rustic chargers to create a defined look at each place setting. The napkins were colorful and served as a banner at each place setting!
Table #3 My Sister-in-Love’s Table
Rachelle’s table had touch of rustic modern farmhouse with all the feels of Magnolia Market. The cute little wood vases, a pop of color with the red berry accents. It’s beautiful clean lines and soft touches was a gorgeous pair. The greenery down the table and the raffia pumpkins were the perfect addition to finish off the look!
Table #4 My table
I used the macrame woven garland as my inspiration, topped with caramel color leaf beads. I wanted a more neutral feel with a pop of boldness so I used navy bamboo plates with the cream chargers. The cement pears and black candles added texture to the tablescape.
Each place setting was finished off with a cute mini wood bowl and the light blue striped napkin tied with twine and wood leaves.
You can do this idea any time you are having a large number of guests over. It is a fun way to bring people into the process and allow them to shine through their tablescape. Try using a theme or let them be free to do whatever they would like.
There is always something new to learn from others and it can inspire you to try new things. Spread the load and have some fun together! Enjoy celebrating each others creativity.
What are some ways you spread the load with family and friends over the holidays?
