5 Stunning Thanksgiving Themes for your Table

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Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. Thankful for our loved ones, our family’s health, careers, pets, lifestyle and of course the food we are about to devour! Before you host your gathering, you may be pondering how you are going to decorate your Thanksgiving table to celebrate this beautiful time of year.

What do I use for my table centrepiece? What is my colour scheme? Do I have time for a DIY craft project? What is my budget or… do I even have a theme in mind? Depending on the company coming and your own personal taste, these 5 Thanksgiving Table décor themes should get the Turkey rolling! Remember… decorating your table should be the fun part!

1. Classy & Upscale

The key to a luxurious look on your table is to use lots and lots of a specific element. Maybe this is using different shades of metallic as your design inspiration, like golds and silvers. You may opt to spray paint mini pumpkins a white or gold color and put them into large flower vases. Depending on the size of your gathering, you can then alternate these pumpkin filled vases with large candles down the middle of your table. Perhaps you layer your linens by using a tablecloth and 2 placemats (one bigger and one smaller) or use a charger and a placemat instead? On a budget? Read how to decorate a high-end table on a budget here.

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2. Golden Harvest

You don’t have to use small orange pumpkins and Fall colours on your table but if you love these colour combinations as much as we do, then go for a traditional “Autumn theme” using golds, browns, oranges and yellows. You can incorporate a leaf themed table using small fallen leaves from outside and place them randomly on your tablecloth, add a bit of sparkle with some battery operated mini lights and voila your table is almost done! Now for your colorful centerpiece. We found a DIY option to make quick and easy centrepieces here.

3. Thankful

How about a “thankful theme” inspired table? Using small gold painted clothespins for place cards you can attach hand written thankful words such as: love, blessed, family, food, grateful, friends, health, and so on. Or perhaps you write each person’s name and what you love about them and attach these to the clothespin? Another fabulous idea, time permitting of course, is to find pictures of your guests and use these as their place cards at your table. More tips on spray painted gold clothespins with personalized name cards seen here.

4. Nature

Bring the outdoors in with a nature inspired table. A few days before your gathering, take your family and go outdoors hunting for pinecones, fallen tree branches, moss, anything you see that you can use on your table. Use a mixture of green succulents, log candle holders, wood slab centerpieces, gourds and pinecones to create an outdoor theme. Do you like burlap? Here is a fun family Thanksgiving DIY project.

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5. Don’t forget the kids!

What about the kids? If you are setting a kid’s only table, these fun ideas will surely keep them entertained. Layer down a roll of brown paper for your tablecloth and get out the crayons! Have the children draw their own turkeys or help them to write down things they are thankful for on smaller pieces of paper and insert these into their own “place card pinecones” as seen here.

What’s your favourite table theme for thanksgiving 2017? We wish you and yours a wonderful weekend!

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5 Stunning Thanksgiving Themes for your Table

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Are you getting married? To make life a little easier for you we’ve compiled a list of the 10 popular 2017/18 Wedding Décor themes, ideas, tips and tricks from industry experts and DIY trends.

  1. Let’s start with your Wedding budget. No doubt every Bride would love a limitless one however, you need to know your numbers since this will rule every decision you and your Fiancé make as you proceed with the planning. If you have parents or family that is able to contribute to your wedding, have these conversations early on before setting a date so you have a clear picture of expenses. Consider a preliminary guest list as well so you have an idea of numbers and capacity when researching venues.
  1. Pick the perfect venue. Since most venues book a minimum of a year in advance, this a definite first on your check list. Popular venue trends are still about bringing the outside in with combining natural wood and green elements. Or better yet, have an outdoor Wedding. If your dream is to get married outside, you may have to adjust your date according to availability, especially if it’s in Vancouver!

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  1. Choose your colour palette. Why is this so important? Well, before you send out your “Save the Date” and/or Wedding invitations you will want to use your colour scheme in the design and carry this through your wedding decor, dresses and theme. In 2017/18 Brides are choosing golds, silvers and metallic for dresses and decor. Neutrals like grey and blush tones to strong bold colors like fuchsia and the pantone color of 2017 green, are also on point.
  1. Print details. Once you have your Venue picked now comes the daunting task of that endless guest list. “Save the Date” invitations should be sent out as far in advance as possible. Plexiglass, foil stamping and believe it or not…glow in the dark stationery and bold envelope colours are trending big time. DIY tip: consider sending your save the dates or invites out through email to save on postage, or applying your own finishing touches with craft supplies such as metallic stamps, invitation markers, or craft paper.
  1. Set your menu. Do your research when choosing the best caterer for your budget. A good caterer will let you sample their food and give you references. If you are opting for an outdoor carefree “farm like” theme then Food Trucks are a big trend for 2017/18 along with fun finger food, sundae and candy bars. Or perhaps impress your guests with a self-serve Doughnut wall! Don’t forget those Vegan and Gluten free menu items.
  1. Memories captured in a picture last a lifetime. An amazing photographer will be your best investment for years to come and good ones come with a wait list. Most photographers will bundle together Engagement and Wedding photos. Ask your friends and use your social media reach for referrals to check out their recent work.
  1. The perfect Dress. Keep in mind it may take up to 9 months for your dress to arrive so the sooner you get on top of this the better. These days Brides are stepping outside the normal ivory/white colors and choosing sparkly, metallic, rose gold, silver and gold show stoppers! If it has a detachable skirt and embellishments then you will be right on trend. Bridesmaid’s dresses are either bold and bright or more neutral shades of grey and blush pink. Yes, blush pink is still going strong! Be sure to consider what colour suit or tuxedo your groomsmen are wearing also so you can compliment the two for photos.
  1. Those petals. Flowers are more than just a pretty bouquet, they are memory makers. Romantic flowers like garden roses, peonies, dahlias, ranunculus and “soft petal” blooms are the still the most popular requested flowers for 2017/18. Tip: scatter loose rose petals like garland on top of tables or scatter them amongst floating candles. Single stem flowers placed in 3-5 assorted vintage vases also make for a beautiful centrepiece without breaking the bank.

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  1. Hey Mr. DJ. A DJ is still the most popular choice for wedding entertainment however, consider live quartets for the ceremony, cocktail and dinner hour/s and then bringing in a DJ to dance the night away.
  1. Wedding Décor trends. Hanging flower baskets inside or out are on point. Tall glass trumpet vases with lush arrangements are perfect for vision and allows your guests to be able to have conversations easily. Table tops: small potted plants along with varying sizes of vases, pots and candles will give you a natural and organic feel. Larger potted greenery placed strategically throughout your space will give you that perfect backdrop for pictures along with a vintage couch, antique table, sparkly chandelier and perhaps a pretty fur rug with represent “vintage chic”. Just ensure you reserve your big décor items well in advance of your date. Source your decor from markets, garage sales, craigslist or consider renting vintage items from vendors like Past Pieces Wedding Shop (located in Surrey). Want to go all out? How about a self-serve mimosa bar, a signature his and her drink for your inside cocktail hour or some fun outside lawn games to break the ice with your guests?

Overall for 2017/18 Weddings, think vintage glam meets timeless chic with a pop of sparkle. For more great reading check out these awesome resources:

2017 Wedding trend predictions

The Knot: 2017 Wedding Trends

 

5 Stunning Thanksgiving Themes for your Table

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Fall is quite possibly our favourite season here at Dollars & Cents! The trees are rich with autumn colours, scarves and boots are out of the closet, and there’s always a great excuse to cozy up on a cold fall night with family and loved ones at home. Hosting a thanksgiving dinner this weekend? Any good host knows decor is an important piece to the thanksgiving experience. Adding a bit of fall flare to your home doesn’t have to break the bank if you’re willing to get a bit creative. Here are 5 easy do-it-yourself ideas we’ve come up with that are simple and affordable. Most of these craft supplies you can find right here in store.

Glitter Pumpkins

Hate carving pumpkins? What about bedazzling them with your favourite glitter? Cover a mini pumpkin with clear ahesive, and dust in sparkles of various fall colours. For a bigger impact, try using a larger pumpkin or a metallic spray paint such as gold or silver to really add a “wow” factor.

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Thankful Jar

A great way to remind everyone the purpose of this holiday is creating a “thankful jar”. Each person in the family writes down things they are thankful for on a note to be placed in the jar. Read them at the dinner table or save them for special occasions in future. To create, decorate an old mason jar with craft paper or your favourite creative pen. 

Marquee Letters

These are all rage right now. Piece together a few marquee letters throughout the home or on you mantle. Choose simple words like “fall” or “thanks” that will be easy to display in various areas. Or choose the letter of your family’s last name to enjoy as decor all year round.

Mason Jar Flowers

Pick up some of your favourite fall coloured flowers to separte into various mason jars throughout the house. Try adding burlap or lace aroun the mason jar to add a bit more texture to the jar. These are perfect for thanksgiving dinner tables.

mason-jar

Mini Pumpkin Place Cards

Jazz up your thanksgiving dinner with mini-pumpkin place cards. Slice a small incision into the stem and simply insert your cardstock pieces in place. You can use painted pumpkins or an assortment of pumpkin colours for a more rustic look.

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5 Stunning Thanksgiving Themes for your Table

Don’t worry sun-lovers, summer has finally arrived and we’ve got some great ideas to help you enjoy the beautiful weather on your patio this summer!

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 1. Decorative Throw Pillows

Create a cozy and comfy lounge space by adding some soft throw pillows to lean into. Pick from a large variety of designs to suit the style of your patio and give your guests a reason to stay just a little bit longer.

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2. Patio Lights

The sun is going down but the party is still going – don’t panic, there’s a solution for that! String up some patio lights so you can continue to show off your deck and keep the mood alive.

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3. Mason Jars

Looking for a new way to serve up cold beverages? Well, everyone knows mason jars are all the rage right now and they are a great way to make any drink feel unique and funky. And with a little creativity, any jar can be customized with a few simple craft supplies!

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 4. Craft Beer Pints

Any beer drinker appreciates a nice pint glass to hold their precious summer beverage. Forget the sleeve this summer and upgrade to pint-size to satisfy everyone on the patio.

Tip: Frost your pints ahead of time in the freezer to make sure those drinks stay extra cold on a hot day.

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5. Candle Lanterns and Bird Feeders

Looking for a way to attract more than just your friends to your patio? Try hanging a decorative bird feeder to bring nature to your deck and you can feel good knowing that you fed more than just your neighbours this summer.

If you want the birds but not the pesky mosquitos away, try putting citronella candles in your candle lanterns to create a warm atmosphere without the bites!

5 Stunning Thanksgiving Themes for your Table

wedding-decor-coquitlam-langley

By Carly Moir – Guest Blogger

If you’ve ever planned a wedding, or been a part of a wedding party, or just watched any kind of TLC wedding show, you know one thing to be true: weddings are expensive.

If you’re a bride-to-be living in the Metro Vancouver area, it’s likely already taken careful planning and budgeting to get engaged in the first place. Between housing prices, the cost of education and starting a family, your wedding has become one of those big-ticket items on your life “to-do” list. If you’re like me, you perhaps had to wait 6 years before getting engaged because the first time you had enough money to get married, you decided moving out of your mother in law’s basement was a bigger priority. But now here you are, engaged, and planning your own wedding…on a budget.

Like many of you, I started compiling a secret wedding board on pinterest (guilty) with creative ideas for DIY decorations and inspiration. One thing I’ve been having trouble with is staying on budget while still being satisfied with the quality of décor items I’ve either rented or decided to make myself.

I’ve noticed dollar store items can be a hard source, especially the good ones. I’ve found myself visiting Michaels or craft stores for the things I wasn’t happy with at the big-box dollar stores, but the problem (as you can probably guess it), is that these craft stores were not within my budget…but I really liked their quality.

Luckily, I stumbled upon a store here in Coquitlam that gave me both value and quality: Dollars & Cents Store in Westwood Plateau. Here are a few of their items that helped me achieve my wedding décor vision.

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Centrepieces – Hosting 140 guests for your wedding means that you have at least 15 tables, which means 15 of everything. 15 centerpieces, 15 candle holders, 15 vases and so on. I found a great variety of tall candle holders, tealight holders and vases in store. Using a charger plate or a simple crate like the one above is a great way to add a base for your centerpiece and create varying heights for your items.

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Head Table – Marquee lettering has become a great way to add a bit of industrial sparkle to your head table. Use a simple ampersand, a short word, or pair together individual letters to create your own combination.

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Chalkboard Signage – One thing I never thought about until organizing my wedding décor was the amount of signage or wayfinding items you need in place for guests. Chalkboards are an affordable option for this task – you can use them for welcome signs, drink menus, or to promote your wedding hashtag.

WeddingBlog-6The smaller details – It’s important to make sure your table numbers are easy to see and have good contrast. I liked these tent cards, they fold up easy and are available well into the double digits if you have a lot of tables. If you don’t like the pricetag on wedding flowers, try using synthetic petals to spread down the aisle for your ceremony – they look just as real in photos! Need a guest book? Try something traditional and affordable like this white and silver foiled one I found in store.

WeddingBlog-3Mason Jars – We’ve seen them everywhere, at markets, at weddings. But we still love them! Versatile as vases, accents, or candle holders, mason jars are a great volume item to help you stay on budget. I was excited to find the Ball brand in store at a good price. They are a durable glass and give that great vintage feel I was after (and look pretty when painted too).

WeddingBlog-4Glitter please – It’s all about the sparkle at weddings this year. Golds, silvers, you name it. In the craft section I found not only a ton of glitter colour options for my DIY items, but also burlap, twine, and these adorable clothespins that I can use on my photo string display frame.

What I loved most is that if I didn’t find exactly what I was looking for in store, the Dollars & Cents team was willing to source out the items for me through their suppliers. Now that’s some great service. Everything I needed in one place and right in my own backyard.

Dollars & Cents has stores in Langley and Coquitlam. If you’d like more information please email dollarsandcentsstores@gmail.com