Organize Your Holiday Dinner or Party...

Hi everyone! This is a very busy holiday season coming up and I wanted to share a few tips that I use all the time when I host holiday parties. Many of you have emailed from Thursday's post and asked how we serve 35-40 people for thanksgiving and this is my secret!

Whether you have a dinner party for 4 or 40, the key to everything is…lists, lists and more lists. If you write things down and check things off, any party or dinner you have will run smoothly. Another favorite of mine is the clipboard. Keeps all those list in one place and handy to write on. I actually file last year's list underneath on the same clip board to remind me of things.

Come on in and see if these tips and lists will work for you too!

What Are Your Thanksgiving Day Traditions?

Hi everyone! Thanksgiving is one week from today, here in the states. I love Thanksgiving…family, food and lots of fun. We always have Thanksgiving here at our house with both my husband's family and mine. We usually have between 35-45 people each year. It's the best time.

Our family has many traditions for each holiday and Thanksgiving is no exception. Traditions can be anything from foods that are served for dinner to fun things we do that day. No matter what, we are just grateful to be together.

Some of our family traditions for Thanksgiving…

• my husband and I and the girls always watch the Macy's Day Parade in the morning while I'm cooking and he's peeling 20 pounds of potatoes!
• it's always at our home
• there has to be heavenly hash (ambrosia) and creamed onions 
• I make a green jello salad in honor of my mom, because she always made it for Thanksgiving. No eats it but me, but it HAS to be there!!
• and a new one started last year…we set up the family room Christmas tree and everyone helps to decorate it. I hope we can do that again this year.

What are some of your family Thanksgiving traditions?

Thanks for sharing,

~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Holiday Napkin Ring

Hi everyone...thank you for always stopping by, especially on Tuesdays!! Today's Tool Time is an easy one, but is meaningful at the same time.

Thanksgiving is this week here in the states, but this project can be used any time of there year for any holiday or occasion.

The Thoughtful Napkin Ring...

Holiday Food Preparation Tips...

Thanksgiving is this week, here in the US and Christmas is not too far after that. I thought I would share a food preparation tip that will save your sanity during the holidays.

If you are hosting the meal for family and friends, you know how crazy things can get. Here's what helped me for years when getting things ready the night before...