“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” ~ William Arthur Ward

Undoubtedly, Thanksgiving will look different for everyone this year! Our daughter who lives in Boston has decided not to come and our youngest, who lives in Germany, obviously can’t come. It makes me sad because Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and we have so many good memories of all of us sitting around the dining room table. We have all of our traditional foods, and always make something new that sometimes becomes a tradition. There is always too much food,…every year, we say we’ll cut back but we never do!

I’ve decided that even though we’ll have a smaller crowd this year…it will be my sister and her husband and children and my oldest daughter and her family, I’m going to do what I’ve always done. We live in the same town and see each other all the time, so I’m not worried about COVID with just close family. Hopefully, it will be a beautiful day and we can have a fire and plenty of room to social distance somewhat. I’m just really thankful that everyone is safe and happy, even if we’re apart!

This post is all about setting a beautiful table and entertaining! It’s helpful whether you have a crowd of 10 or just 4. It is my hope, that next year, COVID will be over and we can get back to our new normal and not worry about how many people we have around our Thanksgiving table! Stash these tips away if you don’t need them this year and pull them out whenever you have your next party…hopefully very soon!

Fall is the season for gatherings — whether it be with family, old friends, or new friends — it is a time for connecting and creating life-long memories with your loved ones.

However, hosting your first (or 50th) gathering can be overwhelming and sometimes life just gets in the way. But, we shouldn’t let it! It’s a great way to express your creativity and a chance to create moments that truly matter for you and those around you.

Let this be the year you finally host the dinner party you’ve been dreaming of for years.

Serve a signature cocktail

Signature cocktails are a great way to help your guests feel festive and cared for at your gathering. Mulled wine is a perfect drink for a gathering in the fall or winter. It’s warm, comforting, smells amazing, and is easy to prepare in large batches ahead of time.

Try a simple cheese board

As much as I love to create an extravagant cheese board, it really would be too much when you’re doing an entire meal (especially Thanksgiving). A minimal cheese board is just as beautiful and gives your guests something small to snack on with their drink.

Prepare in Advance

In any kind of gathering, you really want to do everything you can to make things easy for yourself as the host! Be strategic about the dishes you serve and keep in mind their cooking and preparation times. Also remember that if you prepare things in advance that need to be reheated you’ll need to consider your oven space.

Keep the Decor Doable For You

Some people like an elaborate table, while others want to keep it simple. When I’m preparing a meal like Thanksgiving and focusing so heavily on all the beautiful, seasonal bounty — I like to keep the table decor somewhat simple. Simple might not be your style, so if you’re doing an elaborate table, be sure to start well in advance, adding flowers at the last minute. It’s also nice to add some touches of eucalyptus down the center of the table and a few white pumpkins for a festive feel. If you need a little more inspiration, watch this video!

I hope these tips will help inspire you to host your dream fall gathering this season! For more holiday entertaining tips, see this CBL Blog Post!

I love the idea of giving guests a piece of paper to write down what they’re thankful for. Everyone can share their list over dessert!

This table is certainly not simple, but very beautiful!

Great idea for a dessert buffet!

One last tip, if you’re hosting a large group, ask your guests to chip in, but be specific about what you would like for them to bring. Otherwise, it probably won’t be helpful at all because you’ll end up with something that doesn’t go with your menu. It’s perfectly fine to ask for help!