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Come Party With Me: Almost Meatless Thanksgiving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:31 -0800

When done properly, a table runner and tablecloth can both be used to create a harmonious and gorgeous table setting. Think of it like you would clothing: if one is patterned and textured, the other should be simple and plain. Here, a rich brown-velvet runner is placed on top of an elegant white cloth. Golden beaded chargers serve as accents and white serving ware - plates and bowls - let the food be the focal point. Fill glass bottles with the orange wine and fresh water. Candles and flowers are essential to achieve a festive and celebratory mood.

How do you plan on decorating your Thanksgiving table? Share your ideas below!

Come Party With Me: Bold Flavorful Thanksgiving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:50:16 -0800

When serving a bold and flavorful Thanksgiving dinner, the theme should carry over to the table setting. You don't need a tablecloth to add a sense of formality; a satin and embroidered runner is equally as festive. Set placemats in front of each chair and top with a shiny brown charger and white plate. Arrange the utensils and napkins on the placemats next to the chargers. Add white and red wine glasses to the upper right of the plate. Serve the food on light brown platters and the dessert in individual ramekins. Tea lights in globe candle holders create an illuminating and slightly romantic ambiance. Homemade leaf placecards provide an element of whimsy and a lush bouquet of plum flowers completes the look.

Come Party With Me: Potluck Thanksgiving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:50:03 -0800

When hosting any Thanksgiving dinner, be it a potluck or one where you do the majority of the cooking, it's a good idea to set the table a couple of days in advance.

Start with a seasonal tablecloth, then add the good china, polished flatware, and wine glasses. Serve the cocktails in tumblers and the turkey on a large platter.

Lots of candlelight creates a festive atmosphere, so place votives on the table and pillar candles around the dining room. Don't forget a bouquet or two of fresh flowers.

Consider the counter space; a lot of it might be in use during the hours before the meal, so a folding table where guests can place their contributions is crucial. If you are attending a potluck, make your dish in a vessel that has a cover or in a disposable pan that can be discarded at the end of the night.

Off to Market: Thanksgiving Accessories

partysugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:41 -0800

Creating a memorable Thanksgiving is not just about serving a moist turkey and flavorful pureed potatoes. It's also about enjoying a meal with loved ones! Since the time spent around the table is the most important part of the day, I like to pay special attention to the table setting. It can be simple (printed tablecloth and votive candles) or complex (homemade place cards and multiple wine glasses).

Let's get excited for Thanksgiving by searching the Internet for festive and functional table accessories. To share your finds - napkins, plates, floral arrangements, etc. - with us bookmark them in the Off to Market group in the YumSugar Community. Don't forget to tag your bookmarks with the keywords Thanksgiving accessories. I can't wait to browse your discoveries!

Interested in learning more about bookmarking? Check out the complete instructions here. Need some shopping inspiration? See a list of my favorite online stores when you read more.

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Come Party With Me: All Hallows' Eve - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:50:08 -0700

It's easy to go all-out crazy with the decorations for a Halloween party. Think black rats, spiderwebs, glittery skulls, and hanging jack-o'-lanterns.

Throw in orange lights and lots of candles for spooky intimate lighting. Cover the table with a festive printed cloth.

Serve the food on black platters and in black bowls. Place skull glasses near the punch cauldron. Lastly, don't forget lots of your favorite Halloween candy!

How are you decorating for Halloween? Share your ideas below!

Come Party With Me: Vampire Party - the Look

partysugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:08 -0700

Black, white, and blood red are the colors that come to mind when I think of vampires and they're perfect for decorating a vampire party. Start by placing black candelabra with blood-dripping candles around the event location. Hang bats from the ceiling and stretch spider webs across the walls.

Serve the food on red platters, the soup in test tubes, and the cocktail in clear martini glasses. Sprinkle skull-and-cross-bones confetti across the tables, and place plastic vampire fangs in between the serving platters. Stack black napkins nearby. Bouquets of red roses finish the look.

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:50:09 -0700

Think pumpkin-patch-chic when staging the decor for a pumpkin carving party. Place a wheelbarrow next to the front door, fill it with pumpkins, and when guests arrive, ask them to pick one. For a rustic feel, throw some hay in with the pumpkins. Inside the house, set up carving stations: cover tables and counters with old newspapers, carving tools, and place lots of garbage bags nearby. Leave the chili in a big pot on the stove and stack black bowls next to it. Fill jack-o'-lantern bowls with chili toppings and candy. Display the pumpkin cake on a black cake stand and invite guests to put their beer in an oversize ice bucket. A single bouquet of Fall flowers is festively elegant. Don't forget to stock up on tea lights. Once everyone is done carving their pumpkins, place a tea light in each one and set them outside on the porch.

Veggie Flower Arrangement Is a Cool Centerpiece - and Snack

YumSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:39 -0700

As a parting present to a friend, Sugar staffer (and OnSugar manager!) sabs creatively crafted a floral arrangement - made entirely out of fresh, edible vegetables! The result was a stunning centerpiece that, like a flower cake, would be a thoughtful (and edible!) gift for someone who avoids sugar.

I loved the idea so much that I had to ask sabs how she did it. Interested in making one yourself? Find out how when you read more

Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:00:24 -0700

The menu for my harvest-themed dinner party is inspired by wine, so the tablescape will reflect this general feeling, too. To keep things casual and slightly rustic, don't cover the table with a tablecloth. Instead, place a linen runner down the middle and arrange bunches of ripe grapes as centerpieces.

White plates allow the food to be the focal point. Serve the meal family style and bring the braised chicken and saffron risotto directly to the table. Since the dinner is a celebration of wine, offer guests the choice of red or white wine and have the proper glasses for each.

During the cocktail hour, serve the Champagne punch in an elegant bowl and arrange the goat cheese mousse and strawberry compote on a wooden cheese board.

Lots of candles create an intimate glowing atmosphere while a single lavish arrangement of flowers is a welcoming hello if placed near the front door - it's the first thing guests will see and they'll immediately get in the mood!

Come Party With Me: Tailgate - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:15:58 -0700

When planning a tailgate, start by checking out your team's online shop. You can find all sorts of fun stuff like folding chairs and snack helmets, which are ideal for holding shrimp artichoke dip. Then head to a local party store to pick up color-coordinated supplies: paper plates, napkins, plastic cups, and balloons.

Pack a folding table and tablecloth in your trunk and ask a guest to bring a bouquet of flowers. To ensure that they don't get crushed, store the oatmeal cookies in tupperware. Don't forget a knife and cutting board so you can slice the sandwiches and quesadillas.

What do you bring when tailgating?