If Halloween is known for candy and the winter holidays associated with gift-giving, then Thanksgiving is devoted to dining. Every year, on the third Thursday in November, families and friends across America gather around tables set with festive cornucopias, pumpkin-themed décor and harvest time centerpieces. But people don’t love Thanksgiving just for the festive furnishings; the heart of the holiday rests in the mealtime menu. Classic recipes, such as cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie are guaranteed crowd pleasers, and it can also be fun to spice up the dinner offerings. Turkey alternatives, unconventional sides and complementary beverages can make this year’s Thanksgiving meal even more memorable.

Not the Same Old Turkey

In recent years, cooks have become far more daring with the Thanksgiving turkey. In additional to the traditional oven roasted approach, it isn’t uncommon to see deep fried, Cajun spiced or barbequed birds. But if you want to break out of the turkey mold altogether, a variety of suitable substitutes are waiting in the wings.

Duck is another exceptional bird that works well on the Thanksgiving menu. You can decide which way to prepare the delectable meat, but the braised duckling with oranges from the Reader’s Digest looks especially appetizing, and the citrus twist also has the potential to complement a variety of sides. Grilled or roasted leg of lamb is an elegant cut of meat that can also satisfy main course needs.

Some people also prefer to serve seafood or no meat at all. Savory scallops and salmon are two excellent holiday seafood choices. Martha Stewart’s 15 non-turkey Thanksgiving suggestions are a great resource, with mouth-watering recipes including grilled scallops with risotto and vegetarian pumpkin thyme rigatoni. Seasonal squashes are also hearty meat alternatives, featured in rich dishes such as Chow’s roasted acorn squashed stuffed with wild rice and roasted delicata squash salad.

Time-Saving Sides

Once you’ve decided on main course, the next all-important question is which sides to prepare. A little pre-planning for side dishes can actually save a lot of time in the kitchen. Mark Bittman who writes The Minimalist food blog for the New York Times recommends preparing as many side dishes as possible before the big day arrives. To help cooks get a leg up, he offers 101 simple recipes for Thanksgiving-ready sauces, soups, veggies, grains and more than can stay fresh overnight.

Quick-cooking guru Rachel Ray also offers some ideas for unique, but simple dishes that might not have made a Thanksgiving debut before. For instance, all you need is extra virgin olive oil, spices and a head of cauliflower for her delicious roasted cauliflower. Her recipes for dark greens with cranberries would also be a flavorful complement to turkey.

Perfect Wine Pairings

To top things off, what better way to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal than with the perfect wine pairing? The Philadelphia Foodie blog has a helpful chart of wine suggestions for different Thanksgiving themes. If roasted turkey is the star, white wines are the traditional match, but it also recommends lighter reds, such as pinot noir and Beaujolais. For rich vegetarian meals, a Sauvignon Blanc is a fine selection.

Chow, on the other hand, advises using side dishes as your wine guide as their flavors will be more prominent. In that case, it suggests medium-bodied reds (pinot Meunier) and bright whites (pinot Gris). But whatever varietal you choose, remember that Thanksgiving meals are usually extended affairs, which means the wine should be light enough for guests to sip on for a while.

Amid the menu planning and cooking, if you feel yourself getting stressed out about preparing a sumptuous spread, just remember: the most important ingredient to the perfect Thanksgiving meal is fellowshipping with family and friends. Once the table is cleared and the dishes are cleaned, spending time with people on that special holiday will make all of the energy you put into the food even more worth it.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, if you are hosting a family get-together this year you might be starting to get your menu together.

While gathering recipes for the turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and Grandma’s apple pie, one important thing may be escaping your attention: the table.

If you don’t usually set the table with much other than silverware and napkins, you may want to read on for some cool ideas to try this year to make your table beautiful, festive and welcoming.

Also, stop back by for more decoration ideas and crafts–including mantel decorations and wreaths!

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Although it’s easy to stick a storebought cardboard turkey in the middle of the table, why not spend just as much time and effort on featuring a more welcoming–and beautiful–Thanksgiving centerpiece on your table this year.

Thanksgiving centerpieces come in a wide variety of options. Thanksgiving flower centerpieces are a beautiful choice. Look for centerpieces featuring a variety of Autumn colors–like orange and yellow. Seasonal flowers like mums are common in these centerpieces. Many of these arrangements are displayed in festive vases or containers, like faux pumpkins, adding to the overall seasonal feel of the flowers.

You can also find Thanksgiving cornucopia centerpieces. These offer an even more festive feel to add to the table.

When choosing your centerpiece, keep in mind the size of your dining room table, the amount of dishes you are serving and the number of guests. This will help you pick the best size centerpiece for your get-together. If you are hosting a larger get-together, you most likely will want to feature more than one centerpiece.

Name Cards

Name cards make a practical–and elegant–addition to your holiday table. They make your guests feel special and add a festive touch to the table. Use festive fall colors–like yellows, oranges and browns–to construct these cards. Have fun making them, and possibly enlist the rest of the family to participate in this craft.

Name cards can be as simple as cutting shapes out of colored paper with the guest’s names on it, or a little more elaborate with designs, popout shapes and glitter. Use cardstock instead of flimsy construction paper to make the cards more durable.

Look for clip art, templates and stencils to use in this project. You can add a little sparkle to your cards with glitter.

Another cool place card idea is to use in-season fruit–like pears or apples–with a cute tag specifying the guest’s name as the card. Embellish the tag with glitter and a pretty font, and tie them to the fruit-stem with ribbon or more natural looking twine.

Thanksgiving Napkins

Instead of the usual white cloth napkins, consider using more seasonal linens. This can be as simple as finding napkins in colors such as beige and tan–or festive prints–or, you can make Thanksgiving napkins yourself by embellishing plain napkins with shapes such as leaves. Find a pattern or template, or draw free-hand, and use fabric paint to fashion leaf shapes on the napkins. You can use these linens year after year!

Use festive napkin rings or simply use natural raffia as napkin rings.

Thanksgiving Tablecloths

For Thanksgiving, you might want to use a more seasonal tablecloth than Grandma’s white lace tablecloth.

You can find ready made Thanksgiving tablecloths–or, you can make your own. Just use a plain tablecloth and draw or stencil shapes like leaves straight on the tablecloth using fabric markers or paint. You can create a simple look by doing this around the edge of the tablecloth, or you can mimic the look of falling leaves by making a random pattern of leaves on the tablecloth.

Thanksgiving Table Decorations

In addition to centerpieces and place cards, consider making your own small decorations to scatter on the table. This can be a family craft which is fun for kids.

Find a website with tabletop paper craft ideas, or get the kids to help you create simple bowl decorations with fruit, pinecones and gourds.

Use your imagination and have fun making these decorations.

Thanksgiving Placemats

For Thanksgiving placemats, you can buy placemats in festive colors or prints, or you can make your own.

Use craft paint and leaf stencils to embellish plain napkins, or use fall leaves sandwiched in between clear contact paper. You can get creative here.

Thanksgiving Candles

Another great idea is to integrate Thanksgiving-themed candles on your dining room table.

One option is to go ahead and choose a Thanksgiving flower centerpiece with candles.

You can also find candles with leaf designs already on them, or you can use plain candles in festive candle-holders.Here is a cool candle-holder craft using corn-husks.

Kids’ Tables

At the kids’ tables, you can really have fun getting the kids involved making decorations.

Let your kids get creative and make decorations like centerpieces, placemats, and place cards. Do some research on the web to find projects, or just let your kids use their own imaginations. Have them gather leaves, pinecones and acorns from the yard. Set out craft supplies like pipe cleaners, crayons, construction paper, ribbon, stamps, feathers, glue and crayons, and let them have fun creating decorations. Let them know that there are no rules–just have fun with it.

We hope we have given you some inspiration for beautifying your holiday table. Have fun creating festive touches to use year after year on your Thanksgiving table! Be sure to stop back by over the next few days and week to get more great Thanksgiving decoration ideas!

Halloween is the perfect occasion to get together with friends and neighbors to celebrate the fall season. Whether you wish to host an all-out fright fest, a harvest-themed dinner party or a kid-friendly Halloween hoedown, party planning for Halloween isn’t as scary as is may seem. From sharing ghost stories to bobbing for apples to making frightfully delicious confections and cocktails, there are endless activities to choose from to keep guests of all ages entertained.

Before visitors arrive, a memorable Halloween bash starts with the right decorations. Along with vibrant autumn leaves, festive décor, including seasonal flowers, wreaths and pumpkins, provide welcoming bursts of color. Inside, fun Halloween centerpieces will add softening touches to the cobwebs, ghosts, spiders and other spooky stuff lurking around.

Kids Halloween Party Tips

For kids, Halloween is all about candy. To balance out that sugar high and engage young guests, a successful party ought to include plenty of activities.

Games are always a smart way to kick things off, and bobbing for apples is a classic Halloween contest. In fact, unmarried men and women used to bob for apples, and the first person to bite one was supposed to be the next person to get married. Kids might enjoy a nighttime scavenger hunt with flashlights, as well as hide-and-seek games such as ghosts in the graveyard, blind man’s bluff and zombie tag.

If the weather’s too chilly for outdoor games, crafts are another option. Instead of kids arriving in costume, they can make their own personalized masks for a masquerade party. Pick up some plain canvas bags and fabric paint, and children can decorate their own trick-or-treat totes. Or, make Halloween-themed maracas to scare away any ghouls or ghosts kids may encounter while they beg for candy.

Of course, no Halloween kids’ party is complete without treats. But instead of just handing out candy, kids can have fun in the kitchen making their own. Caramel apples, for instance, are simple for even younger guests to manage. For a salty snack, popcorn balls should please tots and teens alike. There are also all sorts of creepy Halloween recipes for terrifyingly tasty eyeballs, witches’ hats, ghosts and vampire fangs that kids will love.

Adult Halloween Party Tips

Adults can also get in on the Halloween merriment with something as simple as a pumpkin carving get-together or themed cocktail party. And if you don’t have the time or budget to transform your home into a haunted house, never fear. You can rely on creative food and presentation to set the appropriate Halloween scene.

A dinner party or potluck offers plenty of room to incorporate seasonal foods without having to incorporate a “scary” element to all of the dishes. Pumpkin soup, apple pie and roasted butternut squash are just a sampling of popular fall comfort foods. Devil’s food cake, red velvet cake or even pecan caramel spiders can provide an extra dash of Halloween spirit.

Speaking of spirits, Halloween cocktails will add some otherworldly ambiance to the affair. Fill hollowed out pumpkin shells with ice to keep beers and beverages chilled for guests. You could also pick up a decorative cauldron and serve apple cider as “witches brew.” Fans of black and tans will enjoy black velvets, which are half-and-half mixtures of Guinness and champagne. For livelier aperitifs, blood orange margaritas, piña ghouladas and bloody marys are also crowd pleasers.

Perhaps more than anything else, a festive Halloween party depends on the host. Whether entertaining a group of children or sharing an evening with friends, put on a costume and embrace the true heart of the holiday. Enjoy the opportunity to have a little spooky fun, and guests will get into the Halloween spirit as well.

Fall is here, and so are the wonderful outdoor activities it brings with it–like hiking, camping and biking. But as the weather cools off and the days get shorter, getting out of bed is getting that much harder. The urge to snuggle up on the couch with a good book or movie is starting to get more appealing than going out on the town. Don’t fight the urge–get comfy! Read on for some inspiration.

Warm up with yummy Fall recipes

The summer days of frozen margaritas and ice cream are slowly but surely transitioning to hot cider and apple pie. If you’re a gardener, you may be harvesting your tomatoes and peppers now. Why not use some of the fruits of your labor–or of the grocery store–and try one of the comfort-food recipes below tonight?

1. Chili

There are as many variations of chili as there are tastes. The basic, core ingredients are pretty much standard though: tomatoes, peppers, onions, chili powder and beans. Of course, many of us choose to include meat–usually ground beef or turkey–but there are many flavorful meatless versions. You’ll find a quick and easy chili recipe here; for you more advanced chefs here is a recipe with more exotic ingredients, including chocolate! Do you have a chili recipe you swear by? Post it in the comments to share!

2. Chicken soup

With Fall marking the start of the cold and flu season, it’s always good to get your daily dose of vitamin C. But, if you do happen to fall sick then nothing is better that some homemade chicken soup–although it’s delicious even if you aren’t sick! Be sure to load yours with tons of nutritious vegetables!

3. Pot roast

This pot roast recipe is cooked in a slow-cooker, so it simmers all day and you come home to a delicious meal that sticks to your ribs! Serve with bread for a delicious and quick weeknight meal.

4. Apple pie

The ultimate in comfort-food deserts! Although there are a ton of more unique–and time consuming– versions out there, here is a tried-and-true old fashioned apple pie recipe. Serve it over ice cream for a real treat!

5. Hot chocolate

Sure–instant hot cocoa is always yummy and convenient, but nothing beats homemade hot chocolate! Pair with some classic sugar cookies–either from scratch or a mix–yum!

Curl Up on the Couch with a Good Book

Snuggling up on the couch with a good book is always comforting. Although it’s always nice to enjoy a good movie, we sometimes forget about books. Learn something new, read an interesting biography, a suspenseful mystery or a page-turning novel. Get some inspiration from the New York Times Bestseller List or Amazon. And don’t forget about your local library! It’s a wonderful–and free!–source for books, music and movies.

Learn to Knit or Crochet

Did you know that knitting is cool now? Well, it is! Knitting books with cool patterns and easy-to-follow instructions and knitting ‘parties’ have sparked a resurgence in this pastime. Try it–it’s fun! I won’t lie; it’s not as easy as it looks. But the payoff is great! And it’s very calming to sit on the couch and knit up a cozy creation. Start with a basic scarf–take it from me and my beginning disasters!

Fun & Games

Take out that dusty old Scrabble and Monopoly and enjoy a fun night with friends or family.

Movie Marathon

On a rainy–or just lazy–day, there’s nothing better than watching movies on the couch. So, put your chores off for once (the dishes will just get dirty again and the leaves will just keep falling!), clear your day, grab someone you’d like to snuggle up with, and have a movie marathon! Don’t forget the popcorn.

We hope we’ve inspired you to slow down, relax and get comfy!

Sunday–September 13th–is Grandparents’ Day. Show your love and appreciation this year by surprising them with flowers or a gift basket and really make their day.

A few best sellers:

Grandparents' Day Flowers-Teacup Bouquet

Grandparents' Day Flowers: Songbird Bouquet

Grandparents' Day Fruit and Plant Basket

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Make the world a more beautiful and fragrant place–send flowers!

Someone you care about has a birthday coming up. Are you planning on waiting till the last minute and sending a gift card again? Don’t do it! Send thoughtful birthday flowers or gifts instead–read on for personalized flower and gift ideas for that birthday girl or boy in your life.

Family and Friends

Mom

What Mom doesn’t like to get flowers? Below are some personalized ideas for your Mom, tailored to her style!

The How Sweet It Is flower bouquet is a good choice–and safe bet–for your Mom, regardless of her personal style.

A unique flower trend is “flower cakes” like this Wishes Come True bouquet.

Best (Girl)friends Forever

What better way to make your B.F.F.’s day then sending her a beautiful flower arrangement? The Fashionista Flower Bouquet is absolutely for your best fashionista girlfriend.

Or, send a gorgeous orchid!

Sister, Aunt or Cousin

A cheerful and pretty flower bouquet like the Polka Dots and Posies bouquet will certainly bring a smile to her face!

Romantic Birthday Flowers

Express your love, passion and devotion with these flower arrangements perfect for making her birthday one to remember.

Fragrant and gorgeous lilies mingle with classic roses in this gorgeous and romantic Celebrations bouquet

This Rambling Rose Bouquet is a unique and romantic spin on classic roses and sure to convey your love and affection.

Or, satisfy her sweet tooth with a delicious chocolate gift basket like the Grand Ghirardelli Chocolate Basket.

Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Boyfriend

Guys love flowers and gift baskets too! This Home Run bouquet will definitely hit the ball out of the park!

Or, a great idea is to send a great plant for his home or office like this Areca Palm–a lasting way to spruce up any home or office.

Say Happy Birthday this year with style–send birthday flowers or gift baskets and make their special day even happier!

Summer love is in the air! That means it’s time to get outside and enjoy these summer days and nights, and what better way to enjoy the season then with your summertime love? Read on for some great date ideas for your summer love!

1. Picnic at the Beach

What’s more romantic than a sunset picnic with your sweetheart? If you live near a beach or lake head on down with a picnic basket or cooler, a blanket or chairs and a bottle of wine. Enjoy some food and drinks, great conversation, and a beautiful sunset…and maybe even some fireworks!

Food ideas: Apples and cheese, sandwiches, chips and hummus, sliced watermelon
Drink ideas: Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, lemonade, iced tea

Don’t forget the wine opener!

2. Bike Ride for Ice Cream

Enjoy some fresh air by riding your bicycles to the nearest ice cream stand or restaurant for some sweet treats. Added bonus: Work off the calories on the ride back!

ice cream!

3. Movies Under the Stars

If you’ve never been to a drive-in movie theater, then you’re really missing out. A romantic–and affordable!–setting, drive-in movies have been institution in this country for decades. Unfortunately, there are not as many drive-ins as there were back in the 50s and 60s, but if you’re lucky enough to live close by, you’d better hightail it over there this weekend! They offer great fun for all your friends when heading as a group there, hanging out before the show and sitting all together for the feature–however, the real goodness and romantic nostalgia of the drive-in shines through when you take your sweetheart. At most drive-ins you are allowed to bring in your own food and drinks, so if that’s the case, either pack some snacks and drinks or stop off at a restaurant for some good food to go. Bring comfy chairs to enjoy the show in. Holding hands+watching a movie on a big screen under the stars=a beautiful evening.

Don’t live close by to a drive-in? Do some research–many areas offer free movies at local parks in the summertime. If you cannot find any outdoor movies in your area, it’s time to improvise! Grab your laptop with a movie to watch, a blanket, a bottle of wine and your sweetheart and head to a park, the beach, or any favorite outdoor spot.

Drive In Movies

4. Bring Out Your Inner Kid at an Amusement Park

Just because you loved riding roller coasters and eating kettle corn at the amusement park when you were a kid doesn’t mean you’ve grown out of it! Drive to the closest amusement park or keep an eye out for any fairs to head to with your honey. You’re sure to have a day of fun in the sun, no matter how old you are!

Roller Coaster

5. Romantic Dinner Al Fresco

romantic dinner

Why spend all your money on a romantic dinner at a crowded restaurant when you can enjoy the romantic privacy of your own backyard, patio (or if you’re really lucky) right on the beach? Whip up a delicious and easy dinner like this Seafood Spagetti, grab a nice bottle of wine, and get ready for some romance!

For an extra special touch, make a romantic playlist of your favorite songs and set the table with candles and beautiful flowers, like these mixed roses:

Colorful Jubilee

Runner Ups:

1. Outdoor concerts & festivals
2. Botanical gardens
3. Miniature golf
4. Moonlight swim

Get creative with your dates by making the most of the summertime weather and fun–you don’t need a ton of money to share romantic moments with your summer love!

Stay tuned to the In Bloom blog this summer for more Summer Lovin’ romantic ideas.

It’s a magical time of year–fireworks, BBQs, pool parties and fun on the beach. It’s a time for getting together with your friends and family to laugh, eat and celebrate our independence. Read on for some great ideas for entertaining your 4th of July guests.

Crank up the Grill

Two words come to mind for 4th of July: Fireworks and BBQ, and not necessarily in that order! In addition to the summer staples–hamburgers and hot dogs–why not try something new this year? Try this Ultimate Barbecued Chicken and be sure to impress. Molasses and brown sugar set this recipe apart from the rest. For a delicious and unique main dish give this Sweet Cola Ribs Recipe a try. For a quick, easy and nutritious side dish, just slice up some eggplant and zucchini, coat in olive oil, season with salt and pepper and throw it on the grill. Yum!

Entertaining

What’s a 4th of July get-together without all your favorite family and friends? If you’re entertaining this year, try out these creative party ideas. Instead of just serving boring beer to your adult guests give these Fun 4th of July Cocktails a try. And don’t forget the music–make a patriotic themed playlist with songs like ‘Born in the USA’ and ‘Bye Bye American Pie’.

Setting the Scene

Why not have fun with your 4th of July party this year? String up some red, white or blue holiday lights in your backyard for a festive touch. Miniature American flags scattered along backyard paths is a nice touch. For centerpieces, pick a beautiful and festive flower arrangement to set the mood. Surround with boxes of sparklers for an extra fun touch!

American Spirit Flower Bouquet

Happy 4th of July!