Guess Who’s Coming to Thanksgiving?

It’s that time of year again. It’s Thanksgiving which means one of several things for you. You are either looking forward to hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner at your house or you’re very much looking forward to eating it at someone else’s house.

I realize that doesn’t cover all of you. Some will begrudgingly cook at your house or begrudgingly go to Aunt Ruth’s house. Or you might just say forget it and go out to a restaurant (I’ve done this a few times, myself).

I fall into that big, all-important first category. I’m hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner at the house. Not to worry though. We’ll only have 22 people coming with a need to accommodate kids, teenagers, senior citizens, special needs, and vegetarians. Put a bottle of wine in front of me and I can do it all. Or rather we can do it all.

My husband and I come together as a team when it comes to big gatherings at our house. We usually scramble like mad people to scrub every last inch of our house so people think we live under ultra sanitary conditions on a daily basis. We do some last minute meal planning and shopping. And then on Thanksgiving day, we start off calm, end up in a panic, and then settle into a food coma relishing the day’s events.

Looks like we’re right on schedule this year. We have to finish painting. Like, a lot of painting. Then clean every square inch of the house. That’s the most stressful part for me.

I’ve planned most of the meal. I’ve done some of the shopping and I’ve starting making some assignments for the guests (mainly just appetizers).

But the icing on the cake is the Thanksgiving decor, specifically the setting of the table. That’s my department.

While I don’t pretend to be Martha Stewart (mainly because I wouldn’t want to be), I do like to set a nice table, complete with china, cloth napkins, and a centerpiece. Here’s a glimpse at years gone by.

This centerpiece is made with a floral foam core covered in moss. Add seasonal fruit like lady apples and kumquats and hot glue nuts and cranberries to fill in the gaps.

Add candles, napkin rings, and wine glasses for an elegant setting. Try placemats instead of a tablecloth.

This centerpiece was made my adding dried wheat to a wide-mouthed case, tying raffia around the outside, and placing in a terra cotta saucer surrounded by small gourds.

A runner can also help tie all of the Thanksgiving colors together. And even if you don’t have cloth napkins, fancy paper napkins wrapped in a napkin ring adds a nice touch.

And yes, I did make those centerpieces. I can be a little crafty when I try (just don’t make me try). I love to set a beautiful table and as the years have gone by, I like to make an elegant meal to go with it.

We can’t have corn; we have to have corn soufflé. We can’t have yams; we have to have sweet potato gratin. And we can’t have green bean casserole. We’ll have to have some fancy vegetable like roasted asparagus.

At least, that’s what I thought when I was talking about the menu out loud with my brother and sister. My brother, the pseudo-vegetarian, shocked me by dismissing my fancy vegetable idea. He wants a green bean casserole. And while I considered making my own fancy pants version of it, I find that comfort food is really what everyone craves.

So, some of the shopping is done. Green beans have been bought, along with french fried onions and nothing but Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup.