Thanksgiving Cocktail

A fresh and festive cocktail to toast with this Thanksgiving.
Ingredients:

- 1 part Grey Goose La Poire flavored vodka

- 1 part pumpkin butter

- 1/2 part triple sec

- 1/2 part simple syrup

- Pinch of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger

- Grated nutmeg and apple chip for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add all ingredients. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosted and beaded with sweat. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with nutmeg and apple chip or a fresh cranberries on a toothpick.

Recipe from Cocktailtimes.com

Don't panic, you still have plenty of time to plan/prepare for Thanksgiving. For table setting ideas visit us at www.tableambiance.com

Simple Thanksgiving

Let's K.I.S.S

Let’s K.I.S.S (keep it simple, stupid) this Thanksgiving. The most importantly thing to do on Thanksgiving Day is to remember or reflect on the things you are thankful for. So, in the kitchen and on your table, keep it simple. Start planning your meal with “make ahead” recipes or invite your guests to help with the Thanksgiving feast by bringing a dish or two to ease the load on you. Set your table ahead of time. If you are worried about dust, cover the table setting with plastic wrap or dry cleaning bags. Visit our past Thanksgiving blog postings for simple ideas (i.e. an array of fall squashes arranged in a low profile basket, or use mini pumpkins as votive holder and have several of them down the center of your table).

Post your favorite simple yet effective idea for hosting Thanksgiving in our comment box. (photo from countryliving.com)

Easy Thankgiving Centerpieces

Here are a few ideas to add a little ambiance to your table this Thanksgiving!
The pumpkin arrangement is from www.bhg.com. Make a few of these arrangements and place them down the center of your table. To add some height to the center, simpley add two of these great fruit/vegetable taper holder. Stick a pear or pumpkin in the middle and add a 9 inch taper to it and ta da, an easy yet unique table setting for Thanksgiving.
Another idea is to place a worry free pillar candle in a hurricane vase with nuts and add two pumpkin arrangements on either side of the hurricane for this years Thanksgiving table setting. It is that easy. Happy table setting!

Thanksgiving Project

Get the Kids Involved This Thanksgiving!

This cute yet fun project is brought to you by Celebration.com. Most kids love to help, so put them to work in helping add to the Thanksgiving table decor!

Now for a little Table Ambiance touch.....Not only do these pilgrim hats look delicious for dessert, they might also make for a perfect place card or party favor. Have the kids gather leaves outside and clean them with a damp cloth. Then have them write each guests name on the edge of each leaf with a gold metallic pen. Put a leaf in the center of each plate at each guest's place setting. Then place the hat in the middle of the leaf. Not only will each guest find their spot at this years Thanksgiving table, but they will have an amusing treat.

Plan Ahead This Thanksgiving

Plan ahead this Thanksgiving will make this holiday virtually stress-free. Susan Westmoreland from Good Housekeeping has created a two week check list to follow to in sure a celebration that even the hostess will enjoy.

For table setting ideas and products for this Thanksgiving, visit us at http://tableambiance.com/home.php?cat=112.

Make a Wish This Thanksgiving

Make a wish.............

With Thanksgiving around the corner, who gets to break the wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey? Well...... everyone can get a chance this year. Lucky Break Wishbone has created a fun product that allowes everyone of all ages to enjoy making a wish on the wishbone.

How can you incorporate this into your table decor? Easy... tie a wishbone around everyone's napkin at each place setting or stand it up against the beverage glass.

Surviving Halloween

Here are some great tips for this Halloween........

Halloween Etiquette - Tricks for Surviving the Night of Fright!

From: Lisa Gache - Beverly Hill Mannners

Halloween can be a wonderful and fun-filled time not only for the little ones, but also for adults. There are some basic etiquette rules however, that we all need to observe to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone. Here are a few essential tips on how to survive the night of fright!
Trick-or-Treating. This is truly a tradition reserved for younger children who look forward each year to dressing up in their favorite costumes and going door to door to receive unlimited amounts of sugary treats. A child who has reached the age of sixteen or seventeen should retire their pumpkin candy bag for good. Begin trick or treating at dusk while their is still some light for safety. Try not to crowd or stampede the doorways for candy. Teach your children to be patient and polite and to remember the all important "please" when they ask for a treat and "thank you" when they receive it. There is nothing like seeing a ghost or goblin at your front door with impeccable manners.
Neighborhoods. It is perfectly acceptable to travel outside one’s own neighborhood, particularly, for children who live in a hillside neighborhood without sidewalks or for children who may be living in a neighborhood that is less than child-friendly. However, if you do decide to leave your neighborhood, the next best thing is to trick-or-treat in a neighborhood that you are familiar with or that is the neighborhood of a friend. If a house is dark and all the lights are turned off, this is the unwritten signal that the family is not participating in the ritual or may not even be at home.
Costumes. As far as costumes for children, the general rule is that they be kid-friendly. Politically incorrect outfits or very scary horror costumes are not considered appropriate. Older teens and adults may choose to let their wild imagination get the best of them, however, etiquette dictates that whatever they choose, they should try to be considerate of others and their environment. Ask yourself one simple question, "Is my costume disrespectful or would it offend or scare another person at the party"? If the answer is yes, then find an alternate choice. Oftentimes, we think only about ourselves and not of others.
General Halloween Etiquette Tips. Halloween is a perfect “training” time to teach your children to take only one candy and be sure to say “thank you”. After just a few visits, your two year old will be an expert! At least one parent should accompany children up to at least the age of twelve. Make sure to speak with children about general safety rules, staying with their group, and if older, curfew time. Parents should check the treats of the younger children before they eat them. Children should never eat anything that is handmade or specially prepared (unless you know the family).

Looking to make your Halloween complete? Visit www.tableambiance.com for howlish Halloween home and table decor.