Warmest & Coziest Thanksgiving Table | Rust, Moss Green, Pumpkins & Plaid

On Thanksgiving, you just want to be wrapped with all of the warm and cozy.  Isn't it a wonder that everyone's favorite holiday isn't about presents?  Ok, it is really about the food.  BUT, more than that, I think it is that feeling everyone loves of walking into a warm house on thanksgiving day that is bustling with family or friends, that smells like a wood burning fire, cider simmering and pies baking.     It is a big table, maxed out to the brim to squeeze everyone together, with mix matched chairs and glasses.  I think all of this is what we really love about Thanksgiving.

Extra Long & Extra Wide Runners.  They look great on any size table.

Harvest Berry Runner, $36

Mix & Match Silverware

Lately I've kept my eye out for silver plate flatware at estate sales and 'treasure shops' as Emma and I call them.  I mix and match them with our own silver from our wedding.  I don't mind that it is a little tarnished (I never polish!) and everything goes through the dishwasher in our house.  Mixing my collections helps me expand my sets for the entire table.  For example at one setting, I'll use the forks from one collection and the knives from another.  In the next seat, I'll use the knives from one and the forks from the other.  They go together, but they don't match exactly.

I do the same with napkins & plates.  If I only have so many matching plates, I'll mix in white plates every other seat, and use the coordinating salad plates on top of the white plate, then matching pattern salad plate on top of the white dinner plate.  It stretches the collections.

Deep Brown Topiary Linens + Rust Candles + Rust Velvet Ribbon

I love adding a sprig of something to a setting.  They aren't too bulky and they smell delish.  

And definitely mix and match chairs.  These new windsor chairs were a steal at a local antique shop.  They match our table perfectly in a dark cherry wood.

I love how throwing the Plaid Blanket Wrap over the chair brings balance and even more warmth to the dark and cozy table.

I'm so obsessed with this magical centerpiece pumpkin.  It is so ancient looking.  I love how the pewter finish salt and pepper and creamers add a refined balance to the table, too.

Velvet is the warmest and coziest of it all.  I love these deep rich tones that will carry over into the Christmas season.  Velvet Ribbon, here.

Piling on the Velvet Pillows is the ultimate relaxing spot next to the fireplace after the big meal.

Find more cozy Thanksgiving ideas, here >

Easy DIY Holiday Centerpiece : Pale Pink Amaryllis, Magnolia Leaf & Cedar Flower Arrangement

For Emma's party I wanted the create a very soft and feminine flower arrangement that would be fitting my soft and feminine little lady.

Just as I designed her invitation (here's the post about the invitation) to just have a glimpse of Christmas, I didn't want the arrangement to be overly "holiday," but I wanted it to be appropriate for the season.  I think it is important to always decorate seasonally - arrangements seem to "fit" better when the seasonality is considered... not to mention flowers that are in season are easier to find and of a higher quality.

I selected these soft pink amaryllis along with magnolia leaf and cedar sprigs.  The arrangement came together very easily.

Here you can see the shiny green and velvety brown magnolia leafs - my favorite.  They are so easy to use and seem to "make" any arrangement I use them in.

Here is the arrangement on the night of the party with the cakes in the center of the table.

Here are the Easy DIY steps.  You can certainly use red amaryllis for a more traditional holiday centerpiece for Christmas.  I think you'll see how easy it is!

Start by placing the cedar sprigs in the vase that is filled with water.  Trim the stems before you put them in so they just drape over the sides.  

Next, insert the amaryllis - I used three stalks that had 3 blooms each.  



Finally, insert the magnolia leaves around the base of the flowers.

Here is the easy-to-pin step-by-step!

Holiday Table Setting | Centerpiece Ideas for Christmas Table

I'm re-sharing this post from last year - enjoy!  Later this week, I'll be sharing some photos from our holiday parties this year!

Cozy & Elegant
Holiday Dinner Party 
Table Setting

This year, I continued my "Handstitched Holiday" theme to my table setting.  As I mentioned, I have never before officially had a 'theme' for decoration for Christmas... this just sort of happened, but I like it.  It makes every decorating, wrapping, baking and table setting project so easy. 

I like this long brambling 'centerpiece' that runs the entire length of the table versus just one centerpiece element in the, well... center.  To achieve this look, I placed sprigs of cedar to create a swag look.  Next, I placed two boxwood topiaries (that used to live on my mantle...) and dressed them up with a red and natural striped ribbon.  Finally, I tucked in various shapes and sizes of chunky white pillar candles. 

The table is set with my Spode brown and ivory china dinner plates, white hemstitch linen napkins, country wine and water glasses, and pewter flatware.  I wrapped the napkin in jute upholstery webbing - you can find it in craft stores in the upholstery section.  On top of each napkin I placed a gingerbread candy cane cookie. 

Here is a close up of the topiary - it is fake... cake you tell?  It is the only fake thing in my entire house, but I really like them so I don't care!  They're my rules, I'll break them if I want to.

I love this cedar greenery - the little yellow tips add a great dimension and texture.