Rex & Regina’s Blog

I am loving the look of double placemats these days. They are a nice alternative to runners while still providing a pop of color and texture to a table.

Stores are carrying double placemats more and more these days, but if you don’t see them in stock, you can always take a regular runner and turn it crosswise on the table.

I made double placemats for my Thanksgiving table last week. So easy! Standard runners are 16″ wide, but I made mine 18″ to make sure they covered the width of the charger.

Easy DIY double placemats for my Thanksgiving table

These neutral double placemats from CB2 are fabulous and would work with almost any decor.

duo linen placemat for two, from CB2

Thanksgiving is just days away. If life has kept you running a mile-a-minute and you’ve not had a chance to focus on your Thanksgiving tablescape, try this simple votive idea on for size.

A votive wrapped with vibrant fall leaves and tied with twine can make a nice addition to a buffet or dining table this Thanksgiving.

lovely leaf votives, from Better Homes & Gardens

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is a week away! Boy, do I need to kick my  planning into high gear. If you are like me and need to start preparing for the Big Meal, begin with this planning checklist:

1.) Plan the menu.

Do you want to stick with the tried-and-true favorites this year or be adventurous and try something new? Or maybe a little of both? Check out some of these great online resources to help you narrow in on a five-star Thanksgiving menu:

Finecooking.com has a fantastic menu, complete with shopping list, created by seven top chefs featuring new spins on traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

A step-by-step guide and menu for cooking for a crowd is featured on Epicurious, complete with wine pairing tips.

Speaking of wine, check out Food & Wine’s list of top 10 great Thanksgiving wines.

Cranberries are a must-have when it comes to a great Thanksgiving menu. I love these ideas from Let’s Entertain on how to incorporate cranberries from beverages to dessert.

2.) Make sure you have the right equipment.

Williams-Sonoma has a wonderful checklist of essential Thanksgiving kitchen accoutrements. Scan the list to be sure you have all the tools you need to cook the bird, make the gravy, mash the potatoes, serve the pie…

3.) Check the weather.

Will it be sunny and beautiful, allowing guests to enjoy a drink on the patio? Or cold and rainy in which case you’ll need to practice some rainy day hospitality?

4.) School yourself.

What’s the best technique for making great pie crust? For carving a turkey? No need to fake it. There are great resources online like  Saveur’s step-by-step instruction photo guide for carving a turkey or Martha Stewart’s Pie Crust 101.

5.) Set it up.

Doing a buffet? Check out this short, helpful Epicurious video with Clinton Kelly on tips for setting up a great buffet.

Need centerpiece ideas? This previous post offers some simple, stylish, organic-inspired ideas. Country Living also offers easy-to-execute ideas for dressing up your holiday table.

6.) Prepare for leftovers.

Plan ahead for how you will use all of that yummy leftover turkey. Epicurious has dozens of ideas to help you out.

Want to send home some leftovers with guests? Why not dress up the take home containers?

7.) Give thanks!

Above all, remember to pause and reflect on the many things in your life that you are thankful for.  Invite your guests to do the same. For while food and drink and beautiful table settings are all important parts of the day, gratitude is the guest of honor.

Thanksgiving dinner is a meal we look forward to all year long. My husband and I buy a humongous turkey just so we can have a mountain of leftovers. Our menu is always ten times larger than it needs to be — how can you exclude even one of the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes?!

I love this fabulous idea for packing up leftovers to send home with your guests. The simple boxes and the grosgrain ribbon make a stylish statement. What a thoughtful way to send your guests home with Thanksgiving treats!

Stylish containers for Thanksgiving Leftovers, from Country Living

Here’s a roundup of stylish, yet easy-to-create Thanksgiving centerpieces. What I love about each of these is that they incorporate natural, organic materials.

I am still considering which one I might try out this year on my holiday table! Which is your favorite?

lentils and orange candles add an autumn tone to the table, from Every Day with Rachael Ray

fresh produce turns into a fresh, chic centerpiece, from Better Homes & Gardens

corn husk votives featured on Martha Stewart

leaves in clear hurricanes make for a modern table, from Martha Stewart

simple but beautiful centerpiece, as featured on Good Housekeeping