Thanksgiving day is almost upon us and this year, as we do most years, we are hosting a celebratory dinner for eight of our nearest and dearest friends and family members. I jokingly refer to this as our annual Thanksgiving dinner party for waifs and strays. This is because we like to include friends at our table whose families are scattered far and wide, or for whom circumstances are such that they are unable to be together for the holiday. We inevitably make a spirited group, and by the conclusion of the evening, we are always so thankful for each other's company.
One of the great pleasures of hosting a gathering at home is decorating the house in preparation for the festivities ahead. I find it particularly joyful to entertain during the autumn months as there is an abundance of natural material from which to compose little cheery arrangements for the dining and drawing rooms.
Yesterday morning, I returned from the farmers' market loaded with squashes and gourds, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seasonal berry branches. My first job was to make a pair of autumnal arrangements that would sit upon the mantel shelf using the pin oak leaves and amaranth I had gathered in shades of brown and vivid green.
I then placed the remainder of the mahogany-colored pin oak leaves beneath a handsome little pumpkin that seats perfectly in the recess of a gilded old Paris porcelain confiturier in the drawing room.
I was lucky enough to find a small bundle of American bittersweet, Celastrus scandens, which is a plant, or should I say a vine, with which I was not familiar. In fact, this was the first time I had seen it for sale in my area. I added the bittersweet to some branches I already had at home which still held their acorns in perfect preservation. Several hours after making my impromptu arrangement, I was shocked to discover that the glorious rich yellow-colored skins which I had so admired on the bittersweet branches had burst open, revealing brilliant jewel-like orange berries. Mother Nature was obviously playing tricks on me as I doubted my eyes for a fraction of a second, then realized the warmer temperature of the room was probably at play.
Aside from the pleasant pursuit of decorating the house, there remains a laundry list of tasks that require attention if we are to insure our passel of guests are fed tasty and hearty fare and delicious libations. Specialty foods, ingredients, and wines all need to be procured from our favorite markets and vendors, and much elbow grease is required to make the house spick and span. Silver requires polishing, linens ironing, china and serving pieces all need to be selected and brought out of storage, at least those pieces that are not immediately set to hand, tucked within the various crammed cupboards and drawers. The late-nineteenth century place card holders, below, always bring a smile to my face whenever I unwrap them for use at our Thanksgiving table. I never discard the old place cards, choosing instead to keep them as a sentimental reminder of good friends and family members that have dined with us over the years. Looking through the little pile today, I see the names of those no longer with us and it makes me thankful to have known them.
Do you have a list of things to accomplish in preparation of your Thanksgiving day celebrations, and how do you choose to decorate your house?
One of the great pleasures of hosting a gathering at home is decorating the house in preparation for the festivities ahead. I find it particularly joyful to entertain during the autumn months as there is an abundance of natural material from which to compose little cheery arrangements for the dining and drawing rooms.
Yesterday morning, I returned from the farmers' market loaded with squashes and gourds, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seasonal berry branches. My first job was to make a pair of autumnal arrangements that would sit upon the mantel shelf using the pin oak leaves and amaranth I had gathered in shades of brown and vivid green.
Autumnal shades of brown, russet and green gathered on the mantel shelf
Photo: Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus
I then placed the remainder of the mahogany-colored pin oak leaves beneath a handsome little pumpkin that seats perfectly in the recess of a gilded old Paris porcelain confiturier in the drawing room.
A pumpkin fit for Cinderella
Photo: Chronica Domus
I was lucky enough to find a small bundle of American bittersweet, Celastrus scandens, which is a plant, or should I say a vine, with which I was not familiar. In fact, this was the first time I had seen it for sale in my area. I added the bittersweet to some branches I already had at home which still held their acorns in perfect preservation. Several hours after making my impromptu arrangement, I was shocked to discover that the glorious rich yellow-colored skins which I had so admired on the bittersweet branches had burst open, revealing brilliant jewel-like orange berries. Mother Nature was obviously playing tricks on me as I doubted my eyes for a fraction of a second, then realized the warmer temperature of the room was probably at play.
Bittersweet berries and acorns mingle in the dining room
Photo: Chronica Domus
Aside from the pleasant pursuit of decorating the house, there remains a laundry list of tasks that require attention if we are to insure our passel of guests are fed tasty and hearty fare and delicious libations. Specialty foods, ingredients, and wines all need to be procured from our favorite markets and vendors, and much elbow grease is required to make the house spick and span. Silver requires polishing, linens ironing, china and serving pieces all need to be selected and brought out of storage, at least those pieces that are not immediately set to hand, tucked within the various crammed cupboards and drawers. The late-nineteenth century place card holders, below, always bring a smile to my face whenever I unwrap them for use at our Thanksgiving table. I never discard the old place cards, choosing instead to keep them as a sentimental reminder of good friends and family members that have dined with us over the years. Looking through the little pile today, I see the names of those no longer with us and it makes me thankful to have known them.
The perfect Thanksgiving place card holders; a rafter of gilt bronze turkeys sit upon their marble discs
Photo: Chronica Domus
Do you have a list of things to accomplish in preparation of your Thanksgiving day celebrations, and how do you choose to decorate your house?
I think your arrangements of berries and branches looks so beautiful and autumnal. Love those turkey place card holders too… what a find they must have been! Perfect for this time of year in North America.
ReplyDeleteI've been receiving sale alerts in my email inbox about the black Friday sales, which apparently are already starting?! It saddens me so much to see the sales getting earlier and earlier and traditional holidays being eroded by people rushing to buy, rather than be together. While we don't celebrate Thanksgiving (obviously!), our Christmas has had this happen too, with sales that used to start in January after New Years Eve 20 years ago now starting the day after Christmas, and becoming earlier and earlier with the opening time so that midnight openings have started to occur. And all those silly people lining up to save $5 off a t-shirt or two…
Hope your preparations continue apace and you have a wonderful day with your family and friends.
Hello Heidi,
DeleteYes, I do love those little gilt turkeys. I initially purchased them for Christmas (as turkey is the main event in the UK on the big day, with goose a close second), but of course, they are more than appropriate at our American Thanksgiving table too.
I wholeheartedly agree with you about the predominance of holiday sales. I was shocked to see that a national department store will be opening its doors on Thanksgiving afternoon. Have these companies no shame? Do they not wish for their employees to be with their families on these holidays? I recall as a young girl in England that the sales used to begin, as you state, on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. I used to think it crazy that those lining up for such sales would spend the previous night queueing in the cold. The world has gone mad!
Your decorations are lovely and I do envy you those turkey card
ReplyDeleteholders at the end of the post. As an American long in Paris, I'm greedy about holidays and celebrate both the American and French varieties. Maybe you do something of the sort with extra British celebrations? I love the colors of Autumn and like you, use what Mother Nature provides - Indian corn (brought back from the US) gourds, berries, leaves, thistle - and I place two cornicopias on the table along with serving dishes of terre melée that suit the season and the china! Have a very good day...there's so much to be thankful for!
Hello gésbi,
DeleteThank you for the compliments on my decorations. I feel that Mother Nature does all of the hard work in providing us with her treasures. Those little turkeys were purchased in England but I suspect they might be French. In fact, I have rather a lot of French things on my table this year (Paris porcelain dishes and silver cutlery). Your own table sounds divine and I do hope you'll consider posting a few photographs of it on your blog.
I would love to celebrate British holidays such as Guy Fawkes Day, celebrated on November 5, but alas, our fair city has a ban on fireworks so it is impossible to recreate the excitement of the evening. I'm glad to hear that you mark both American and French holidays in Paris.
I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving and as you say, we have a lot to be thankful for this year.
CD,
ReplyDeleteWe have flakes falling outside have me thinking of the hols and then this delightful post. Absolutely love those turkey place card holders! My dear CD, apparently you decorate and entertain as beautifully and graciously as you write....btw I make a most convincing stray waif....I seem to remember you have a very cute sister I remember bumping into at Trafalgar Square...is she still unattached pray tell?!?!
Hello GSL,
DeleteHow I wish to see a few snowflakes myself over the holidays, which are as rare as blue diamonds in our town. However, too much of a good thing is, well, too much, and I assume by the end of winter, you long for a ray or two of sunshine.
We enjoy entertaining more formally around this time of the year as opposed to more casual gatherings over the lazy summer months, and particularly enjoy the element of waifs and strays at our table, so you'll be most welcomed. My sister, on the other hand, won't be attending as she too was snatched up many moons ago and lives too far to travel. However, we may be able to round up a female waif for you.
Your decorations are just fantastic! Very "pinnable" in modern lingo terms. Thanksgiving seems like such a great premise to decorate and enjoy the changing colors of autumn. But as you know the Brits don't decorate for the seasons bar xmas like people do in the States. The mantel with your pumpkins and berries almost make the cold weather bearable. I never decorate for thanksgiving but i am thinking of getting fairy lights. I need to unpack properly first and fix the house before I do anything aesthetic!
ReplyDeleteHello Coulda shoulda woulda,
DeleteI've not delved into the "pinnable" aspects of the web as I fear I may be trapped and lost forever with all the images floating around to inspire and tempt me down the rabbit hole. However, I'm glad you think my images are worthy of such a modern pastime.
You are so very right when you state that the Brits don't decorate for the seasons. The funny thing is, I've always been seasonally driven, if that makes sense, so bringing home whatever nature provides during the year is something I did as a little girl when I lived in England. Late winter always provided the primroses that grew wild in the woods across from our house in Kent, then the bluebells followed in the spring, and then branches of hazelnut (with nuts still attached) in the autumn. Of course, holly was our winter treasure foraged in the woods.
Oh, and yes, better to unpack first before the decorating fun begins, although knowing me, I'd be tempted to do it all topsy-turvy!
I should add that my just married sister (technically 1/2 sis 19 years my junior) has invited me to join she and her in-laws (quite a formidable group I'm told) as she would like an ally to help all go well. We have only recently become reacquainted after nearly 20 years (she just moved to a distant suburb) and I find I quite like the role of 'older brother' to a very delightful and beautiful young woman. We are both very excited for the big day!
ReplyDeleteOh, your Thanksgiving will be delightful I am sure, what with a long-lost relative and her in-laws in the mix. I'm sure you shall charm your way into their hearts and I am certain they'll be most grateful for your jolly and witty company at their table. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving GSL, but again, how could you not?
DeleteYour house is just beautiful and you really have an eye for decorating: the colours and the compositions of your arrangements are stunning!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving, you are celebrating it just as it should be done!
Why thank you DaniBP, you are more than generous in your comments on my decorating style. I never quite know if anyone (aside from me) will enjoy what I do, but do it I must. It is a drive, I imagine, much like an animal padding its nest for winter.
DeleteI believe Canadians have already celebrated their Thanksgiving holiday, so a belated happy Thanksgiving to you too.
You are so lucky to have found that bittersweet vine. I have looked for years and never see it anywhere but in magazines. Your decorations are very tasteful and understated, just the way I like it. But your turkey place card holders are to die for, where did you get them? I also keep old place cards in a pile, not so much for sentimental reasons but to save getting new ones! Shame on me....
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Thanksgiving..it looks like you are already on your way!
Hello Lindaraxa,
DeleteI had no idea bittersweet even existed before I spotted it at the market on Saturday, and to think it is such a naughty little plant too, having played its color trickery right beneath my very eyes!
Those gilt bronze turkey place card holders were certainly a score. I've not seen anything like them since (I found them in England). I believe they are late-nineteenth century and of French manufacture. They work wonderfully on an English Christmas table (seeing as turkey is the preferred bird of the day, followed by goose), but just as well for an American Thanksgiving too. I purchase my place cards from a little stationers on London's Bond Street because finding simple white cards with gilt edging is not an easy task here in California. I love your idea of reusing them; why not - saves the environment and a few pennies to boot.
I wish you and your family a peaceful and joyous Thanksgiving too. I'm sure you'll be cooking up a storm for your lucky guests. I made my cranberry sauce last night (can keep for a week), so yes, I'm finally on my way.
White place cards with gilt edging is all I use too. Try Caspari, or Crane. You can find them on the internet. I stock up when I find them in a store so I have plenty left.
DeleteThanks for the tip, Lindaraxa. The cards I use are not tented so they are a little more challenging to find, which is why I lug them back from the UK whenever I visit. I'll try the two companies you recommend.
DeleteThis year I wanted bittersweet for autumnal decorations and I had my favorite florist look for some. She found fresh cut that are beautiful. They look quite lovely on the mantel.
DeleteI love your turkey place card holders!!! I was born on Thanksgiving Day and so have a soft spot for things "turkey".
Hello J.W.,
DeleteDo tell me, is bittersweet as rare in your area as it is around these parts (at least, I think it is as I've never seen it here before)?.
I bet your mother was so thankful you arrived into the world on Thanksgiving day. It must feel very special to celebrate each year among good friends, family and food, and I'm sure nobody ever forgets your birthday. Enjoy your special day and happy Thanksgiving also.
Yes, bittersweet is rare in our area, too. My friend special ordered it for me.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!
I do love your selection of fresh, natural items for the table and mantle. I have never bought bittersweet but I love the look of it and the pods, open with the vibrant orange center is so pretty. I found the vine once, at a florist, but it was cost prohibitive as I don't think it grows naturally in Southern California.
ReplyDeleteThe turkey napkin rings are wonderful.
I so enjoy a dinner of good food and good friends. Enjoy your day.
Karen
Hello Karen,
DeleteI'm beginning to think bittersweet is not to be found easily in either northern or southern California. I am now curious to learn where exactly it thrives as I love the look of it.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day with your family and thanks for stopping by.
It's nice to see your Turner black basalt bulb pots being put to good use, (albeit not with bulbs), and to see other items of your black basalt collection, and other decorative items, all identifying someone with a rather fine "eye".
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving doesn't feature in my calendar, but I suppose given your circumstances, you adopt this celebration rather easily, and rather happily by the sound of it. And with style!
Hello columnist,
DeleteAlthough I too would have called them bulb pots, they are more accurately bough pots, even though the auction catalog got it wrong, dare I say. I've seen similar ones described as bough pots at other sales too. Bulbs or boughs aside, whatever I place in them is always enhanced by the design of these lovely pots. I'm glad you enjoyed seeing them in situ. As to the "fine eye", well, it can get me in a lot of trouble sometimes. I'm sure you understand.
Yes, I've wholeheartedly adopted this uniquely American and lovely tradition of giving thanks. There is nothing remotely like it in the UK (perhaps the harvest festival at the village church comes close), but sitting down to be grateful for your lot in life, surrounded by good friends and family, and wonderful food and drink, well there really is nothing better.
I used to have Thanksgiving for family and friends at my house in Ohio, but I am afraid that I never matched your standard of elegance. Except for a few topically arranged trays of fruit and nuts, I don't think that there was much particular decoration.(The food, on the other hand, mostly prepared by my mother, was a tour de force.)
ReplyDeleteSometimes the bizarre Osage oranges could still be found on walks in the fields, and a basket of these was decorative and appropriately autumnal. Of course, coming so soon after Halloween, I was lucky to get those decorations all put away before I started on Thanksgiving.
A very Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
--Jim
Hello Jim,
DeleteI've never heard of Osage oranges and just did a quick search on-line. Oh, they are a marvel of nature! How beautiful they must have looked gathered in a basket. I would dearly love a few to bring home too but these oranges are nothing I've seen growing in northern California.
You are so fortunate to have a mother that cooks up a storm for Thanksgiving. As this is an adopted holiday for me (being as I am a Brit), I've had to learn all about what types of dishes make up a quintessential Thanksgiving day meal. Between the turkey and all of the side dishes, and of course the pumpkin pies, I think my husband and I (we both like to dabble in the kitchen) have it down to a tee.
I wish you too a very happy Thanksgiving and thank you for sharing your wonderful memories of Ohio.