Thanks for Giving: Part Two - Ready, Table Set, Go!!!!

It seems as though the main centerpiece at Thanksgiving isn't the bronzed turkey or the red faced uncle.  The centerpiece in most homes is the table.  Lets face it; we sit around the table which would, in all practicality, be the center which leaves the actual center of the table the bulls eye, right?  Emails and phone calls start flying my way this time of year with hosts and hostess' alike looking for "inspiration" or "resources" for setting their holiday table.  Now, I believe in a really good table set, especially during the holidays.  But, I refuse to allow stress to be involved in any part of it.  I hope to simplify things for you.  Step away from the table, move back slowly and stop staring at it as if the decor may magically appear, sort of like when you keep opening the refrigerator looking for food as though new food will appear every 5 minutes after the door is opened.  Let me share my main ingredients for a table worth talking about and that your guests will enjoy being a part of.

• Pull all the wine glasses, drink glasses, colored glass, etc that you will not be using for the beverage service and place them clustered in the center of your round or oval table or en mass them down the center of your rectangle table.  Then, simply, put votive candles (don't forget a bit of water to make wax removal easy peasy), in  most of them, springs of fresh herbs or foliage in others and viola!! 
• Don't over fold your linen napkins.  A soft fold, bistro-like, will suit the purpose.  In fact, place the napkin under the plate with 4 inches or so flopping over the table's edge.  This stops the table from looking cluttered.  
• Forage for branches and place them down the center of your rectangle table, then using gourds and fruit clustered amongst the branches curves, you will have created a living art de object.
• Place a colored glass votive candle at the 12 o'clock position above the dinner plate of each guest, trust me, they will love the extra light and the warm glow for the best pictures. 
• Find a dollar store or discount retail home store in your neighborhood and stock up on inexpensive wine carafes.  fill partially with red or rose wine and then place long flower blooms in each one, or berried branches from the yard.  Then, cluster or spread down the table, sprinkle with chunky pillar candles and your done. 
• I prefer table clothes over place mats, but, if you have a wood table that cost you a year's salary, definitely pull out the place mats and use them.  That said, make sure the place mats aren't fighting with the china, silverware, centerpiece, etc.  If you're going to use place mats or table clothes, for that matter, use nice ones.  Your guests will touch them, trust me.  
• Having a home filled with family and strangers?  Then its best to set out place cards at the settings.  Look for gold leaf letters to guide your guests to their seats according to the first letter of their first name.  Can be fun if you have more than one Peter, Paul or Mary.  Using colored ink to write on a leaf or gourd is fun too, but a bit domestic goddess, so write their name with edible ink on top of the plate with a nice, yet short, message of welcome.  The ink won't stick as it will washable and edible, but, I wouldn't hurt to test it on the back or side of the plate first. 
•  I find it awkward to have a "head of the table" setting.  If you can spare the space, leave the heads open and sit amongst your guests, its so much more fun. 
• Last, but not least, use one end of the table (space approved) to hold a tall arrangement of berried branches or leafy, color branches.  This sets the room off enough to make for a cozy dinner and adds height where you need it most.  Don't put a full arrangement of different flowers at the end of the table, thats a bit odd, just stick to one variety, en mass of your choice. 

Hope this inspires.  If it doesn't well, I'm only an email click away.  

                                                         photo courtesy of Ina Garten