Making Thanksgiving Easier

nov-thanksgiving-001Anyone thinking about their Thanksgiving menu or how their table will look yet? I know that I certainly am.  There are so many great looking recipes I keep getting from blogs and emails I subscribe to.  All the pretty table settings and serve ware that I see makes me want to set the perfect table.  I am actually, pretty excited that I purchased a cast iron pumpkin-shaped dutch oven a couple weeks ago which I plan on serving butternut squash soup in as an appetizer.  I’ve been drooling over that pretty pumpkin for a few years.  It’s all the small things, right?

So, a friend suggested that I carve out baby pumpkins and using them to serve the soup in.  And I totally did consider that … the little pumpkins would look so festive on an elegant tray, wouldn’t they?  But I thought again – that’s a lot of work to clean out all those pumpkins!  Instead, I plan to order some personalized disposable cups which should be cute too and much easier.

nov-thanksgiving-002As much as I want to use my pretty china plates and engraved wine glasses for appetizers and drinks, I’m thinking twice.  There would be so many extra dishes and glasses to wash.  Instead, I’m going to be using some great personalized cocktail napkins for the appetizers (and desserts too).  And some cute and fun plastic glasses, personalized of course, for my Fall Sangria and other drinks.  And I plan to use the disposable monogrammed plates too, which will be perfect as they are themed and sophisticated.

nov-thanksgiving-003As far as drinks, I’m going to make a Fall Sangria and serve it in a carved out pumpkin and for that I’ll be using my personalized plastic glasses which will be perfect.  This way, the nice glasses will just be at the dinner table.  And I’ll look for some little chocolates with Thankgiving decorations on them and pick out a pretty favor box for everyone to place at their seat.

I’m so excited for a great Thanksgiving this year.  I’m planning on trying some new appetizers (squash ravioli in a butternut marinara) and some classics that everyone loves and, shall I say, everyone expects!  The year has gone by so fast that I hardly can believe I’m even talking about the holiday season but, yet, here we are.   It will all be beautiful and fun to get together with family and friends.  And with a few strategic additions, the clean up will be a breeze.

Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving with you and your family and friends this year!

Renee