Looking for fresh Thanksgiving decorating ideas? Consider the great Northwest and our strong commitment to ecology and a green environment. Dress your rooms with holiday touches that can be reused, saving you time and money.
Let's get started!
* Glad for plaid - Instead of buying an expensive, single-use holiday tablecloth, cover your table with an inexpensive plaid fleece blanket or length of fleece cloth. Retail stores, as well as fabric stores, have these available during the holiday. Use it as a table, and later you can wash it and keep it as a holiday gift for yourself or make gift pillows from it. Be sure to pick plaid colors that work with your already existing décor.
* No more plain plates - Don't buy plates that you use for only one meal, no matter how attractive they look. Just think of the shelf/storage space they will take up!
Instead, look for solid-colored plates that can work as serving plates later. Be sure that they work with your plaid table cover, as well. Or use white plates (you should have these as they have so many uses), and accent each plate setting with fall leaves or small pinecones.
* Camping tonight - Visit some dollar stores or secondhand shops and look for vintage camping lanterns. Clean them up, and put a small votive candle inside. They cast a lovely light, and you can use them later as Christmas lights or on summer evenings in the garden.
* Let's be neat - If you need lots of napkins for your guests, consider cutting up an old sheet and stamping it with a leaf design that works with your plaids. Or look for inexpensive, linen-like dishtowels. Cut in half and hemmed, they have an heirloom look if you have the right fabric.
* Our part of the forest - If you are worried about a fire in the fireplace with a house full of guest, try this: Purchase some real wood and put it in the fireplace. But don't ignite it. Instead, arrange candles of various heights on them and let them be your holiday cheer. Later, after the guests leave, the remaining will make the fire easier to start.
* What's for dinner - Last, but not least, don't forget our great regional foods and wonderful local markets as you plan out your menu. Our Northwest wines are world-famous as are our berries, cheeses, salmon, coffee and so much more. Patronize these great producers and have a tasty treat never to be forgotten because, well, we are all home for the holidays!
E-mail Ana Kinkaid at BetterSecondTimeAround@gmail.com.[[In-content Ad]]
