Thoughtful Thanksgiving

Theme: Autumn colors and fruits of harvest welcome family and friends for a grateful gathering.

Centerpiece: A black coffee press filled with coffee beans and tall cattails is a reminder of nature’s bounty.

Place Setting: Use pinking-sheared brown corduroy fabric for a tablecloth, squash yellow tableware, and napkins tied with leather shoelaces.  The place cards are tiny Hallmark® booklets titled for each family member (Mom, Dad, etc).

Decorative Detail: The table becomes the epitome of plenty when scattered with oranges, kumquats, mini squash, pumpkins, and pinecones.  A gold frame hangs behind the buffet, which is draped with a faux silk remnant.  A wooden chest holds wine bottles; a coffee press overflows with fiery-hued autumn leaves.

Dessert Buffet: Mini Pumpkin Spice Cakes, Sweet Potato Pie, and Pecan Caramel Cheesecake.  Beautiful bonbons are simply small scoops of ice cream dunked in melted chocolate chips.

Drink: To make heartwarming wassail, blend two cups of light rum, 1/2 cup of dark rum, five 25-ounce bottles of sparkling apple cider, and one carton of mango juice.  Clothespin a silk leaf to each goblet stem.