When you turn over the October page on the calendar, November tends to greet you with a refrain of "Calling family! Calling friends! Calling acquaintances old and new! Come on over. Let's party." And if, like me, you are the one having the party, you need to plan ahead.
I'm hosting my first Thanksgiving this year (survival tips, sanity-saving-ideas, and definitely-don't-do's needed, please!) and I've been scouring the web for beautiful, but simple (see: First Thanksgiving) ideas. They say the devil is in the details, but I say that the divine is in the details too. Whether you are having an intimate dinner party or hosting a slew of relatives for Turkey Day, sometimes the smallest details you plan are the most memorable.
The place setting is the perfect place for creative expression, and it can certainly run the gamut from casual to elaborate. In an effort to plan ahead, I'm trying to tackle one small Thanksgiving-related item each day. Today's task: decide on the place cards. Personally, I love these simple place cards which beautifully welcome guests, but keep an understated tone. (Not to mention they are easy to make and inexpensive!) For your party planning purposes, here are five simple but elegant ideas for fall place cards.
1. Love, Cozy
3. Stylizimo
4. iVillage
Images: as linked above
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Sweet gum balls would be perfect here. They're all over my yard. lol
I've come up with some pretty good ideas over the years, but these days my guests seem more annoyed by place cards than not. Mostly I've given up using them. :-/
These are so sweet and simple.
i'm just excited someone wrote my name and spelled it right: carolyn :)
The best advice I can give is: If it's possible to do it the day before, do it the day before." This goes not just for cleaning and decorating, but for baking and prepping dishes as well.
You will have so many unexpected things to deal with. You don't need to be setting the table with one hand and making cranberry sauce with the other.
I still love the idea that was posted last year that involved feathers, despite people in the comments being completely beside themselves with disgust.
I like the leaves idea, pick and dry them now, especially because you can throw them away without much thought.
My suggestion is to gather all your serving ware as soon as you plan your menu. Whether it's just spoons and forks or bowls and platters. You'll probably need something extra.
@oliviajennie thank you so much for the suggestion! i am sure that i will absolutely need a few extra items.
I have a not so simple but really fun and easy idea for placecards:
http://www.mintlovesocialclub.com/2011/09/faux-polaroid-placecards.html
Polaroid inspired photos for each guest- every time I have used the topic of conversation always turns to the stories behind the photos!