While spiced pumpkin definitely makes our list of favorite colors for Thanksgiving, sometimes a step outside the traditional orange and brown colors on the Thanksgiving table bring an unexpected vibrancy to the holiday.

Yellow, gray, and gold are at the top of the color charts this year. Warm, friendly yellow pairs with sophisticated gray for a color combo that can’t go wrong!

This teal green and gray is a fresh and fun take on Thanksgiving colors for your tabletop. Touches of rich brown bring the familiar feel of Thanksgiving to this modern color palette.

Photo credit: pumpkins by Southern Living

The classic elegance of ebony and ivory will forever be stylish. This stunning color combination is striking and comfortable at the same time. Warm, but full of contrast, we love the refined look of ivory and black on the Thanksgiving table.

Step outside the box, and get a little giddy with colors this Thanksgiving!

Some of our best memories are from sitting around the kids’ table. Giggles, wiggles… and no parents! Then, do you remember the proud moment that you were officially old enough to be seated at the adult’s table, secretly realizing that the kids’ table is more fun?  This cute table was designed by Kim at The Celebration Shoppe.

Be the hostess with the fun kids’ table!

Some of our worst memories are from sitting around the adult table, as parents, secretly miserable because the kids’ table is nothing but chaos, and we can’t even focus on the adult conversation. Ugh, did that disgusting noise come from my child?

Don’t be the hostess with the miserable parents!

As the hostess, there are a few tricks to help things go as smoothly as possible at the kids’ table. Really, the number one thing to keep in mind is that a child that isn’t given direction will choose his own direction. Not always good, right? Here are some easy ways to direct those kiddos, and have some happy parents at the adult table.

Fun ideas for the kids’ table:

Simply set the supplies for these activities on the table with an example, or two, and be prepared to be amazed!

We are loving Paisley and Lace’s idea for dried corn necklaces!

For guests of all ages, check this out…

You can’t go wrong with these precious pilgrim hat crayon sets created by Lisa Storms at Fiskars. Cover the kids’ table with kraft paper and let them color away. You won’t be worried about spills on a nice tablecloth, and the kids will be happily busy. With one for each kid, there’ll be no gobbling over who gets the red crayon first!

Pipe cleaners! These kiddy creations from Family Fun are just the beginning. Turn the kids loose with a few handfuls of pipe cleaners, and enjoy the amazing power that these humble craft supplies have for keeping peace at the kids’ table.

Gobble up loads of other Thanksgiving ideas on our Thanksgiving Planning Pinterest board!

If you’re new to the game of hosting for Thanksgiving, or just looking for some classic, top-notch recipes, you’re in the right place.

Classic roasted Thanksgiving turkey recipe

If anyone knows how to roast a bird, it’s Ina Garten. Here’s Ina’s roast turkey recipe that comes with rave reviews.

Stuffing is tricky. Gotta get the temperature right, so you don’t make your guests sick! Furthermore, by adding the stuffing to the center of the bird, you’ll need to cook the turkey longer to get the stuffing up to the correct temperature, leading to an overcooked turkey. We recommend dressing instead.

Dressing is really just stuffing, but cooked separately from the turkey, and baked in the oven to get a deliciously crisp crust over a moist and savory dressing. Here is a collection of dressing recipes, so you can choose your favorite flavors for this classic Thanksgiving side dish.

Getting’ in your zone for hosting Thanksgiving dinner has never been easier. Use this Thanksgiving planning guide, and today’s tried and true recipes for a stress free Thanksgiving!

Check out our Thanksgiving Planning Pinterest board for even more ideas and recipes.

Planning to host a house full of Thanksgiving guests can seem daunting, but we’d like to help you actually enjoy your guests, and join the festivities this year. Rather than feeling trapped in the kitchen with mountains of dirty dishes and a sinking feeling about that still-frozen bird in your oven, we want you to find your inner hostess peace this holiday season.

Some advance planning and preparations before Thanksgiving Day are the keys to a blissful, no-stress Thanksgiving. Today, we have a planning schedule for you to use to prepare for the influx of guests. Whether your Thanksgiving guests are in town and bringing a dish for a potluck style gathering, or you are playing Martha and planning a gourmet spread single-handedly, this guide will keep you on track. You’ll be able to enjoy your family and friends, and be a got-it-all-together hostess at the same time.

Two weeks before Thanksgiving:

Plan your Thanksgiving Day menu. If you write down your menu this year, and attach the recipes to the menu, in the name of tradition, you’ll be ready every year thereafter. Want to add a little spice? Just switch out one recipe for a surprise dish, instead of reinventing the wheel each year. Need some help? Visit our Thanksgiving Pinterest board for recipes, ideas and Thanksgiving inspiration!

Save your grocery list! This list should be copied and attached to your Thanksgiving plan. For the first year you do this, you’ll need to go through each recipe and write down a giant list of all groceries that would be needed to cook the entire menu. Write every item down whether you need to buy it this time, or it’s already in your pantry, making a star by the items that could be purchased well in advance. Then, copy the list. One copy goes with your Thanksgiving plan, and the other copy is to use for shopping. We have a holiday binder where we store all of our recipes, shopping lists, and planning tools for each holiday. Saving these items year after year removes a huge amount of the workload of hosting for a holiday. For this year’s shopping trip, use your giant grocery list, and shop in your home first, marking off items that you already have in stock.

Shop for the groceries that will last for two weeks or more. Stress is definitely to be had trying to navigate the grocery store in the days just before Thanksgiving. To alleviate some of the hassle, shop for as many of the items as you can ahead of time, when the stores are less crowded. You can shop early for all the starred items from the shopping list that you created.

Get the Thanksgiving table ready. Locate linens, decorations, candles, chargers, and place cards for the table. They can even be set up on the table, now. Your dining room will look festive for the next couple of weeks, and this chore will be off the list. Count the dishes, utensils and glassware in advance, but add them later.

One week before Thanksgiving:

Buy the bird. If you are buying a frozen turkey, you’ll need to purchase it a week in advance to allow plenty of time for thawing. During this shopping trip, you can buy all the other groceries you still need. Because you’ll be doing preparations in advance, they won’t be sitting in your fridge for long.

A week out, you can also begin to prepare some foods. We know… you want them all to be fresh and perfect, and they will be. You’ll just be preparing ingredients; chopping, sautéing, and partially preparing dishes to be transformed into their full glory just before you are going to serve them.

Here is a list of food prep that can be done up to a week ahead:

* Chop vegetables for the stuffing. You can even sauté the vegetables, and store them in an airtight container or zip top bag. If you use sausage your stuffing, that can be done in advance, too.

 

* Make pie crusts. You can make the pie dough, roll it out into rounds, and sandwich a sheet of wax paper between each crust, stacking them on a cookie sheet or cutting board. Crust, paper, crust, paper… until you have enough pie dough rolled for all your pies. Now, simply wrap the entire stack, including the tray, with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge.

 

* Make the pie fillings and store them in the fridge in airtight containers.

 

* Make the cranberry sauce or relish. This, too, goes in the fridge in an airtight container.

 

* Dry your bread crumbs for the stuffing, if necessary. Store them in a container at room temperature.

 

* Make chicken or turkey stock. Confession: We have even made the gravy in advance. If you roast a small turkey, turkey breast, or chicken a few days before Thanksgiving for a family dinner, the drippings can be used to make your gravy in advance. Simply make your gravy as you normally would and refrigerate it in an air tight container. On Thanksgiving Day, it can be gently warmed and whisked into a gorgeous gravy. Your guests will be awed by your calm finesse, as crunch time to get everything on the Thanksgiving table doesn’t leave a single drop of sweat on your brow.

 

* Make dough for the rolls, shape it, and freeze the unbaked rolls.

 

* Soften butter and flavor it by stirring in some cinnamon or herbs, then pipe it onto a baking sheet covered with wax paper into fancy pats of butter. Place the tray in the refrigerator to let the pats of butter set. Be sure to pull them out of the fridge to soften before dinner on Thanksgiving Day.

One Day before Thanksgiving:

 

* Assemble and bake pies.

 

* Peel and cut potatoes, and place them in cold water in the refrigerator.

 

* Thaw dinner rolls overnight on the counter with a towel placed on top of each baking sheet or pan.

 

* Set the table.

 

* Pull out all the serving dishes and utensils and drop a note into each dish to remind yourself what to put inside each when the food is ready to be served. This will keep you from forgetting that cranberry sauce in the fridge!

 

* Enjoy a glass of wine, and enjoy your guests.

Heading into holiday season, it’s always a great idea to stock up on a few stellar hostess gifts. This holiday gift guide will help get you ready to party-hop all season long!

Simmering sachets (get the how-to here) will keep the hostess’ home smelling like the holidays, even when she’s taking a break from the baking.

Hostess gift giving best practices include bringing a small gift that will make the hostess feel special and appreciated, and make all her friends swoon… just a tad. And, let’s face it, we tend to run with a circle of beloved friends and family, so having a huge list to pull from, so each gift is personal, is a plus. (You don’t want Aunt Betty to get the same gift she saw you give to your sister last week!) Choose your favorites from our holiday gift guide, and stash them in a covered bin or basket in the closet. No more dashing out at the last minute so you can show up to the party with a gift in hand for the hostess, and you’ll have a bushel of beautifully unique gifts for your special hostesses. Here’s the best part. Forgot a Christmas gift for the teacher? Not a problem, visit your holiday gift stash for that too!

So, in true Party Diva style, we’ve collected some of the most memorable and thoughtful hostess gifts in our holiday gift guide that can be put together in minutes. Tried and true holiday gifts are great, because there are a few favorites that everyone loves to receive. How not to be boring, though? Presentation is everything.

Holiday Gift Guide—the hostess

Slate coasters keep the guests drinks claimed, and the water rings off the furniture!

Ladies love candles. This idea from Good Housekeeping is just simply pretty.

Make the morning after the party easy on the hostess with this homemade holiday muffin kit. These gifts inspire a lazy Saturday morning with coffee and muffins, or an easy way to get a continental breakfast on the table for a house full of overnight guests. Be sure to grab the free printable recipe card.

Wine, the classic hostess gift, is a great option. Jazz up this tried and true gift with a personal touch on the presentation. These vintage wine tags are perfection!

Pretty pastries and carefully crafted pops can make lovely indulgent food gifts for the hostess. She can present them to the guests… or stash them away for when the guests leave! Simple containers, sweet cupcake wrappers, and a delectably delightful dessert come together as a fantastic holiday hostess gift.

Bathroom beauties are a prized luxury, and doesn’t every gal like to put her best soaps forward while she’s entertaining? Pretty soaps, bath salts and lotions are always a hit. It’s easy as pie to make bathroom basics beautiful. Here’s an easy bath salts recipe and sweet packaging idea with free printables for the bath salts. The chic, versatile window tin can be found here.

For even more ideas with pictures galore, visit our Hostess Gift Ideas Pinterest board—Hostess Gift Ideas.

With three versions of this easy chocolate truffles recipe, your chocolate dessert buffet will be gorgeously filled to the brim. With a few tweaks, the same recipe can be used to create distinctly different chocolate truffle desserts and a will put a plethora of possibilities up your hostessing sleeve! Master a few easy chocolate handling techniques, and you’ll open the door to a gazillion possibilities from coating luscious cakes to creating these delectable delights.

Classic Chocolate truffles recipe

If you’ve never made chocolate truffles before, they may seem intimidating, but trust us when we say that once you have the basics down, it’s a snap. This chocolate truffles recipe and tutorial on truffle basics will give you all the details you need for making perfect chocolate truffles, every time.

Chocolate truffles on lollipop sticks

For this tray of chocolaty treats, we pushed a wooden lollipop stick into each chilled truffle before we dipped them in the chocolate coating. Go for gorgeous presentation with this cake pop kit, available in loads of pretty color combos, that makes it so easy to turn a few truffles into gorgeous chocolate party favors or display them on your chocolate dessert buffet.

Chocolate Truffle Recipe—Tiny Chocolate Almond Tarts

By adding a ¼ teaspoon of almond extract with the heavy cream in your chocolate ganache mixture, the very same truffle ingredients turn into a chocolate almond tart. Silky smooth chocolate ganache tops a simple shortbread cookie crust.

Easy shortbread cookie crust:

2 cups of crushed shortbread cookies
¼ cup melted butter

• Combine melted butter with crushed cookies.
• Press the crust mixture into the bottoms of each well in a mini muffin baking pan. 
• Bake for 5 minutes at 375, or until lightly golden. 
• Let the crusts cool completely and then pour the ganache mixture over each mini crust. Top each tiny tart with a toasted almond slice.

Spicy Chocolate Truffles

These truffles are kicked up a notch with the easy addition of some crushed Thai chilis. Add spice to suit your taste, and roll them in cocoa powder to finish these easy chocolate truffles.

One recipe… one entire chocolate dessert buffet! We love easy.

With entertaining at Thanksgiving comes loads of cooking and clean up. Make it easy on yourself, and create a special Thanksgiving brunch for your guests that doesn’t include more cooking on Thanksgiving morning.

On the buffet: pumpkin muffins, mini cinnamon rolls, mini pecan tarts, and sweet Seckel pears.

You can make all of these brunch treats ahead of time and stash them in your freezer. Pull them out the night before, and you and your guests will wake up to a gorgeous continental breakfast, or with the addition of an egg strata… a beautiful Thanksgiving brunch. Egg strata is a perfect make ahead dish. Just assemble the ingredients the night before, and place the casserole dish in the fridge. When you get up in the morning, pop it into the oven. Amazing… and amazingly easy.

The finishing touch for your Thanksgiving brunch is a crock pot filled with spiced apple cider. Just fill the crock pot with cider and some mulling spices in a cheesecloth bundle the night before. Ready when you awake! We used Autumn Nights Dessert Skirtz cupcake wrappers to dress our cider cups. Dresses a plastic cup for the occasion. No need to wash dishes!

One of my favorite things is setting the table for fall. With fall color inspiration, the table becomes a work of art. Nature is ready and waiting to help you color your blank canvas. With inspiration from your favorite fall color palette, gather items from around your house and outside to create a layered look of warm, fall colors.

Add in a pop of unexpected color for interest. Dessert Skirtz cupcake wrappers from the Autumn Nights collection make the perfect packaging for your party favors. They look gorgeous on your place settings, and your guests will be sweetly surprised. These inexpensive and easy party favors are a favorite. They are simmering sachets… just add it to a pot of simmering water for the smell of fall to swirl throughout your home. In addition to party favors, they make great homemade Christmas gifts.

With fall in full swing and Halloween behind us, the focus is on cozy décor for your home, getting ready for a house full of guests, and warm home cooked meals. As the leaves fall from the trees and colors outside dull, we love bringing the fall colors indoors. Add spice to your indoor fall décor with new splashes of unexpected colors that live harmoniously with the comforting fall colors we know and love. Check out these inspiring color combinations…

Traditional fall colors with a splash of pale aqua

Fall colors with a punch of plum

Fall colors with monochromatic elegance

Fall colors with modern flare

Adding a touch of unexpected color or texture can make a huge impact. Go for colors you love. Be bold.