Beauty & the Feast
A Storied Thanksgiving Table
“Words set the tone for how the table is set,
and how the food will be digested.”
~ T.F. Hodge
The beginning of any event or tablescape starts with a story. Fundamental to both my business & personal life, storytelling writes the personal notes of an event in the margin. For me, the narrative to a celebration often begins with a heartfelt treasure, a color theme or seasonal florals. When it comes to Thanksgiving table styling, I believe it should reflect the gratitude of family history, reflection of the past year & of journeys to come.
I am partial to vintage china & serving pieces. Eleven sets collected over the years, to be exact. I often dream about the families that sat around their own table, sharing the holidays together. A new favorite is a set of Spode Buttercup, in amber and brown. Fitting of an autumnal table. Mixing in salt cellars, crystal jam dishes & the odd dessert plate for a sweet butter dish adds to the curated feel.
Linens are also a treasured finds at estate sales. Imagining the woman who quilted blankets or embroidered sweet details to napkins, tea towels, cloths & runners. One of my favorite cloths is Quaker Lace my parents received as a wedding gift in the late 1950’s. Layering multiple pieces creates charming texture.
Storied centerpiece collections I have created includes family photos of those who have passed, collected figurines, heirloom books, cake stands with Jack-be-Little pumpkins & gourds, and fresh flowers in favorite vases, tea cups & cream & sugar bowls. Favorite seasonal flowers & greenery include Heirloom mums, cottage roses, Dahlias, leaves, sunflowers, Amaranth, grasses, seed pods & Camomile. All in warm cozy tones.
Place cards, a pretty napkin & a sweet take-away at each place setting is a gracious touch for your guests. If you don’t have the perfect curated piece you have in mind, often thinking outside of the box results in a story personal to you. Whether family or framily, swanky or intimate, guest or host- setting a storied table is noteworthy.
Pam’s Tips for a Meaningful & Storied Table
1.
Shop your home on a calm day prior. A Sunday afternoon is a perfect time for me. Make your self a cup of tea & turn some music on. Carry a basket or bin as you connect with the past year while you “shop”. Look for old photos, family table cloth or candle holders, favorite vase or a collection from a trip or school year gathered over the past year.
2.
If you have a choice of china to choose from, organize your pieces and give a fresh wash if needed. Likewise with linens needing a fresh iron. *If you don’t like to iron napkins, a pretty paper works fine. Everyday dishes look special with a napkin & a favorite caramel placed on top. By adding a ribbon, jam jars substitute for vases with a nod to the harvest season.
3.
Organize all of your serving pieces. Coordinate with your menu. Add a note to each one… for what it is to be… along with the serving utensil needed.
4.
Place cards artfully created by you ahead of time. Or task the kiddos in your group to create one for each person the day-of. This becomes a fun project for all ages.
5.
If you are a guest and not the host, I love to recommend what I call a “Hosting” gift. A kind way to say thank you for all the intentionality creating your holiday celebration.