Homey Oh My

Over the weekend I hosted a Friendsgiving dinner, which I prepped the decor for weeks ahead of time out of uncontainable excitement, but at the last minute I decided to add in this DIY “give thanks” garland because it’s fun and cute.  Last year I made a different one and recall how it was the backdrop for a lot of our photos, and maybe I read into it too much, but I noticed it made everyone smile and feel even more warm and fuzzy.  At least that’s how it made me feel!  So yea, I’m a fan of that feeling, and definitely think it’s worth the effort.

I got these white block letters from Michaels and painted them black.  This is where I tell you that I knew spray painting would be a lot easier and faster, but it came down to how the weather was cold, I was sick, and I didn’t want to go outside, ha.  I also had a bunch of black chalk paint and was in the mood to turn on good music and get lost in some hand painting, so I took a foam brush and dabbed about two layers of paint on each letter with drying in between.  If I had to do it again though, I would suck it up and spray paint outside.  It really would have been much faster.  Also, I still haven’t heard from anyone about if they use aluminum foil as frequently as I do for a working surface… I think that’s a weird thing about me, yea?

Once the letters were dry, I applied a line of hot glue across the top of the back-side of each letter and placed a continuous strand of hemp on top of it.

I did this on a total of two strings of hemp, one for “give” and the other for “thanks”.

I hung the letters over the eucalyptus garlands (tutorial here) I had previously put up.  Easy.  I’m all for stress-free and simple decorating because as much as I find decor and styling wildly enjoyable, there are a lot of other things to focus on, like food.  And people.  And cleaning before people arrive, aah!

I thought I might be taking photos the night of, but didn’t.  It was too good of a time to even remember to stick my face behind my camera, but I did manage to Snapchat a couple good moments.  That I can do.

I love this Friendsgiving tradition so much because it’s rare to sit down at home and share a meal together with our whole group of friends, especially one that everyone pitched in a hand to make.  Most conversation these days is centered around how busy we all are, or excuses for not seeing each other more often, so to be able to count on traditions like this and set aside time to hold space together is such a treasure.  I really feel it more with each year, and even more with each friend or family member that lives far away, how time spent with important people is the most valuable thing there is.  I say it often, and at the same time feel like I don’t say it often enough.

 

Let’s take a step back from how we jumped straight into Christmas earlier this week and remember what season we’re in.  Thanksgiving is up next and it’s maybe my second favorite holiday (after Christmas, duh) because it’s the ultimate celebration of good people and good food, all the very best things.

I’ve always kept a casual approach for a Thanksgiving tablescape but this year, thanks to All Modern, I’ll be making it a bit more formal in ways like oh I don’t know, matching silverware (YES, WE HAVE THAT NOW), napkins, glassware, other adult status things, still keeping it all pretty simple per usual.

We also typically entertain in buffet style, especially in a situation like this where we’re trying to seat eight people because even without the decor on the runner, there’s no way all the food would fit on the table.  So all the food goes on a nearby counter, which leaves room for a few, simple decor items to make the occasion feel that much more special.

My one, ‘gotta have it’ thing for a tablescape is candles, and these gold candlestick holders are essentially my dream.  They’re timeless and can go beyond the table to be styled around the home.  That kind of versatility is most appreciated.

Those eucalyptus garlands on the wall probably look familiar to you because I shared that DIY here!  I made five of them and hung them from a wood dowel, which is balancing between the curtain rods above the windows.  Easiest, prettiest backdrop, guaranteed.

I also used the seeded eucalyptus for the centerpiece, which is just a vase filled with them.  Simple, easy, and simple, and it still looks gorgeous so we’re doing good.

Still riding the simple train, I’m adding in this DIY for two second place cards that you can totally write guest’s names on too, but I kept them *cough* simple with just the “thank you.”

I cut 4.5×6.5″ linen-colored card stock into three roughly equal pieces using a rotary cutter.

Next, I stamped each card with this pretty “Thank You!” stamp.  Two seconds I tell ya.  Perfect for those of us that don’t want to rely on handwriting.

I placed the cards in the center of the salad plates, which I placed off-center to the left of the dinner plates to make room for the rolled up napkins on the right.  I love the modern feel of this orientation, and as a bonus, my guy went nuts (a little exaggeration) about it saying “it looks really cool.”  Like with any rare, positive comments he willingly shares about design and decor, that’s very notable.

If there were ever a time I was madly in love with drinking glasses, it would be now.  Light, simple lines, universal, and made by one of my favorite brands.  Would you like whiskey or wine?

Lastly, we gotta talk about the chairs.  I adore the clean lines and Scandinavian vibes these classic shakers bring to our dining room.  They also seat comfortably, which is the complete opposite of the chairs we had before.  I’m very excited to no longer feel bad about guests having to sit on our dining chairs- this is major after two years of feeling that way.

Keeping everything neutral is also a first time thing I’m doing this year, which I’m ridiculously into, you guys already knew that would be the case.  I had mentioned in a previous post that my fall florals would only involve greens, and I’m sticking to it.  They’re so easy to arrange and look good with everything.  Regular eucalyptus would’ve worked here as well, or even whatever greens you can find outside (a favorite “trick” of mine).

Are you already planning out your T-Day celebration?  Any special traditions or activities for the holiday?  My only consistent tradition is to host a Friendsgiving dinner about a week before, which is maybe my third favorite holiday.

 

Product for this post generously provided by All Modern.