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12 days until T-day - Your
holiday countdown
If you are counting down with us, then
you've already gotten most of your big
cleaning chores out of the way, planned your
decor and menu, and gotten the bulk of your
shopping out of the way. You're well ahead
of the game -- and the stress -- for a
successful holiday feast.
With the help of Apex designer Roberta
Frank, we've put together another week's
worth of holiday preparations.
Today and Sunday
Turn your attention to the dining table,
concentrating on the tableware needed for
serving and eating a Thanksgiving dinner.
Tableware might include platters for turkey,
ham or other meat; serving dishes with
utensils; a salad bowl; bread basket;
glasses; china; silver; gravy boat and
various smaller dishes for condiments. Also,
remember dessert plates, coffee mugs or
china teacups, sugar bowl and creamer, and
salt and pepper shakers.
If you're expecting a large crowd and don't
have enough plates to go around, says Frank,
consider using another pattern or glass
plates. Mixing china and crystal is
perfectly acceptable as long as the look is
festive.
Will you have a table for kids? If you are
not brave enough to entrust your china or
best dinnerware to small fingers, use less
expensive dinner plates or even colorful
paper plates that coordinate with your color
scheme.
Look for inexpensive glasses at a dollar
store or Wal-Mart. They often have
attractive selections. Or check out the
colorful plastic options offered nowadays at
party stores. You'll often find them to be
just as fancy as the real deal.
If you get out to the store this weekend,
pick up some pretty potted mums to put out
on your front porch and steps to greet
guests. Choose bloom colors that complement
your home's exterior color and the color of
your front door.
Monday and Tuesday
Polish the silver, and wash the china and
serving dishes.
While the weather is nice, assess outside
chores. No need to take on all the work;
spread the responsibility. Through the week,
assign outdoor chores to family members --
yes, even the kids. Sweep the driveway and
front walks; clear out cobwebs on the front
porch; tidy up the front yard and flower
beds.
Will parking be a problem? Be sure to let
neighbors know that you are expecting a
crowd.
Also, in case the weather is nice on
Thanksgiving and some of the party
-- or kids -- move outside, tidy up the
patio, screened porch or backyard play area.
The idea is to do the big stuff now so that
next week is minor maintenance.
Wednesday
Plan your table centerpiece. Consider fall
colors that coordinate with your china and
tablecloth.
A basket, cornucopia, glass bowl or silver
tray will work perfectly as a container. Use
candles, gourds, pumpkins, fruit, leaves,
nuts and berries, and chocolate turkeys to
create your autumn centerpiece. Fresh
flowers and candlelight also add a natural
and glowing effect to your table. Scour
magazines for ideas.
Make sure family members are pitching in
with the outdoor chores.
Thursday and Friday
Design the children's table differently. Let
them participate. Use turkeys or other
artwork made at school for their
centerpiece.
Place cards are a great project for
children. Using construction paper, cut a
rectangle and fold it in half lengthwise.
Cut a brown circle for the turkey body and
glue on right side. Now, cut out three color
leaf shapes for feathers and glue on the end
of the body. Write the names of the little
dinner guests. (Make a couple of extras for
any unexpected guests.)
Set aside activities and board games for the
children to do while the grown-ups mingle.
Don't forget the adults who are always
looking for fun.
Keep some board games or cards ready for
them as well. |
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