Holiday's at Home in November

Table design inspiration, slowing down, and a hosting gift guide

I can’t believe we are already in the middle of November. It snowed a little in Nashville today. Light flurries, but so beautiful. It got me in the spirit to start thinking about the Holiday’s. Leaning into a season of hosting family and friends I wanted to share some inspiration with you.

So, this year I feel like I’ll lean into scalloped paper cutouts, thrifted vintage lace and scalloped linens, Martha Stewart fruit sculptures, plums and apples, branches, and dried grasses. I’m loving a honey or butter yellow color scheme so I decided I am leaning towards black, grey, yellow and orange all together.

I thought I would list out some steps to make your event special, budget friendly, and enjoyable!

I think the key to hosting is creating your own special environment where people can walk in and feel at home. The can rest, relax, and enjoy something thoughtful. A candle lit, music playing, drinks clinging. You don’t need a fancy table to create a special time with your family and friends. However, designing a table and being intentional with your home, just changes the atmosphere and makes it extra memorable. Life is really fragile and pretty short, so why not create things and make things intentional if you can. There are so many ways to do this on a budget. This time of year can be expensive, and opening up your space can add to that, but I’ve found plenty of creative ways to make it work over the years.

1. Run your errands week/day before as you can make time for it. Order things early. Place a food order early. Prep as much of the food in advance as possible. If you are cleaning, do it on a different day! Prepping for an event or hosting a bunch of people can feel overwhelming to some. I have learned this by trial and error, but pre planning is the way to go. I usually do everything I possible can in advance, leaving the last minute things to the day of. If you leave everything for the day you’re hosting, it will feel chaotic, you won’t be present, and you might never want to do it again. Which is fine, but it can take the fun out of the whole idea.

2. This part will sound silly, but give yourself an hour to get ready. To change your clothes, put on that outfit you want to wear, or take a quick shower to reset. After all of your hard work of hosting it is nice to enjoy your own gathering and not feel like you didn’t give yourself a moment before family or friends arrive.

3. Textiles. You can find so many good tablecloth and napkin options on Amazon. Search the color or pattern you are going for to shop around for options. Another fun option is to go to a hobby lobby or fabric store and pick a fun pattern or design. Measure your table and pull the fabric you need. It’s often cheaper than ordering a custom tablecloth. You can reuse it for pillows or curtains or something. And if you want something really specific and nice, you can always invest in a favorite tablecloth online and reuse it for other events. Sometimes it’s just as special to reuse one you already love and changing up what goes on top.

Custom table cloths by Ford Textile:

Paloma Table Cloth by Greenrow

Plum Table Cloth by Soil to Studio

4. Serveware. There are so many options here. I think things can be assorted. In a perfect world I love cohesiveness, but am more of a maximalist. For larger events that isn’t always in the budget to have the same serve ware. If you’re hosting a big group and have different types of forks, plates, or cups, just assort them intentionally. Alternate them, or organize them all together on a side table for when it’s time to eat. And there’s nothing wrong with ordering plastic cutlery and napkins from Amazon or a local boutique. Hester and Cook in Nashville is a great place to find cute plates, napkins, cups, and serveware for parties. Amazon also has incredible options for thick plastic plates with designs on them to give the china look. Over the years, I have collected mix match plates and love serving with those as well!

Doilies add a lot to serveware. Maybe you have mismatched pieces from your wedding registry or gifts from friends. Buy some doilies on Amazon and lay them underneath appetizer plates or charcuterie boards. They look elegant and make cleanup easy. Sourcing larger platters at antique or thrift stores is also a great way to build a beautiful collection of silver or ceramic for hosting and they make thoughtful, intentional gifts too.

5. Decor. I love putting statement pieces onto a table or a kitchen island. For example, I love a huge dramatic candelabra at the center of a table or a kitchen island. Something statement that maybe doesn’t look like it belongs there but it does. If that even makes sense? Adding lamps to tables, maybe even a stool or different textiles.

Taper candles are easy to find on Amazon or at local shops. Choose a neutral or a pop of color and build off what inspires you. Whether you’re matching your tablecloth or the table itself, pick a color that complements it. Candlelight adds so much warmth and intimacy. It elevates a room in such a simple and affordable way. I’ve sourced collections of silver and iron taper holders that I reuse every year, changing the designs each time.

Of course, I’m biased toward florals. It’s my job, but I really do think flowers or even simple greenery can completely change a space. You don’t have to be a florist, it can be a fun and therapeutic experience if you let it. Most people love flowers no matter the design and they just make a space happy.

If you’re going for flowers, make it a cute morning. Grab a coffee, run to Trader Joe’s or a local floral market, and choose one to three types that speak to you. This keeps things easy and intentional while staying budget-friendly. Set up a little workshop on your dining table and have fun with it. Don’t sleep on bud vases down a table. They’re simple and make a table feel full. Play with height and spacing so people can still talk easily.

If you’re not feeling flowers, design with branches from your yard or food items. For some events I’ve only used candles and food throughout the table. Add seasonal berries, branches, or magnolia leaves from outside. You can always fill your kitchen or living room with one or two vases to add a touch of something extra. Keeping the table simple for family-style meals works beautifully too. Grab some favorite produce and style it in bowls or along the center. It’s a cheap and simple touch.

6. Food. Sometimes it’s easier not to cook everything yourself. If you love cooking, please go for it!!!!! but I usually make a few special dishes and have guests bring sides or family-style options. If people are visiting, ask them to bring prepared dishes in serving bowls. It keeps things organized and less chaotic in your kitchen when hosting a gathering. A homemade charcuterie board, one signature dessert, and a big salad can go a long way on a budget.

7. Drinks. If you drink alcohol at your gathering, it is nice to have options, but it can be easy options. Most people will probably plan to contribute by bringing a bottle, so you are not spending hundred of dollars on booze, but having a nice wine option and maybe one pre made Negroni or something is a great way to start. I have found that to be the easiest. I always have a N/A option as well. I’d even go as far to say having milk around for dessert, lol. Coffee and tea! Having a coffee or tea bar at your event is such a sweet touch. It’s easy, and people love the chance to sip something warm. It extends the meal. Sometimes, especially as Americans (sorry) we rush and eat in like 10 minutes and the whole thing is over. My family always ended meals with coffee or tea, and I still try to include that when I host.

I know I’m talking a lot about hosting and doing the most here, but it’s also so important to adapt to the seasons changing. I’ve been thinking a lot about how we’re meant to hibernate a bit in these colder months. The days get shorter and darker; work slows down; people get both excited and sentimental about the holidays. It’s all an invitation to slow down. For me, that looks like drinking something warm, reading on the couch, staying home to work on a project, making soup, bundling up for a walk, building a fire, indulging in skin care at home, and getting eight to nine hours of sleep when I can.

My routine has looked a little different this time of year as things in my business start to slow down a little. I wake up and make tea to start my day. I light incense or a candle. I read or journal. I try not to begin the day scrolling. I might go for a bundled up walk or gym and sauna, I work and answer emails, and around 5 I am usually making a warm soup or meal for an earlier dinner so I cozy up on the couch with a good movie. During this time of year it is nice to take part in holiday events or cozy drinks with friends. Going out to the movies or hosting a hang at the house. It feels weird that it gets dark at 4:30 here in Nashville, but i’ve been embracing it and letting myself relax in the meantime. It makes this time of year more enjoyable when all of our emotions get the best of us.

As we get closer to December, I have been thinking about gift giving. I love giving gifts. My goal is to make enough money to just buy gifts lol. I thought I would make you a little hosting gift guide to help you spark ideas for yourself and for others.

Some nicer things listed here and some more simple gifts to give to friends and family. Whether you are shopping in advance for December or taking a house warming gift to a friend. I hope this will inspire you!

Linen & Ceramic Lamp: My girl Lindsey custom makes these lamps. They are insanely gorgeous and the price is honestly unreal for the quality. She hand makes the bases with ceramic and orders the linen and creates the lampshade.
Green Floral Plates: Perfect for hosting!
Horse Plates: Another staple. Love these as dessert plates.
Yellow 14 Inch Tapers: Can also find on amazon. I just like some height!
Brown Houndstooth Linen Coasters: I use these all over my home as coasters. Cute for a table scape.
Tapestry Lumbar Pillow: Obsessed with this reversible pillow from Twenty Third by Deanne. It makes our home feel so warm and it is beautiful.
Muya Vessel: This vase is my favorite vase I own. Would love to get a few more for table decor.
Ratu Vessel: This is really a cool vessel. It is so unique and reminds me of garlic.
Hester and Cook Napkins and Decor Paper: H&C has an assortment of different napkin, paper placements, and more.
Silver Atmo Candle (Also found locally at Lemon Laine in Nashville)
Koala Eco Cleaning Supplies: I am loving the laundry detergent and counter top spray right now!
Furtuna Botanical Tea and Sicilian Black Honey
Lauren Manoogian Incense: I swear this is the best. It has many so it lasts forever and it burns so clean. Great gift and smells amazing. Comes in a wooden box that I reuse!
Greenrow Lamp Base & Shades: We are getting new lighting for the house. I purchased one of these wall sconces for our bathroom. It adds a lot of warmth when we have guests over.

Thank you for reading. At the end of the day, hosting isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating warmth and a place where people can breathe a little easier, laugh, and feel thought of. Life can be really hard, so sometimes it is about using the beauty around you to make life feel a little lighter. When I think about gathering, I think about all of the memorable conversations and moments I have shared with the people in my life. I have been inspired by people, made life long friendships and have been vulnerable around a table. There are no rules to designing a table scape or to hosting people at your house. Just do what feels like you and don’t be afraid to be yourself, even if it feels like a lot! It is not.

Wishing you a warm November month with family and friends.

You can pre-save my single “Porch Light” here. It comes out this Friday, November 14th.

Love,
Abby Jane