We woke up this morning to a frosty lawn and more burnt orange leaves on the ground. Fall has made her presence known! With Halloween just behind us (oh, we had a fun one with a neighborhood party – Ava dressed as a sweet little fairy and baby Bennett was a little puppy), it means that the season for intimate gatherings is upon us. From casual football Sundays to a formal Thanksgiving dinner or festive cocktail parties, this is one of our favorite times of the year. Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, so soon we’ll start mapping out our menu, collecting fun ideas for fresh recipes, and layout platters and accoutrements.
Some of our favorite effortless ways to entertain are below, captured beautifully by Kerry Jeanne Photography:
Welcome your guests with some kind of refreshment! Whether it’s a non-alcoholic berry spritzer or a champagne cocktail, dress up serving trays with loose blooms and leaves for a perfectly festive touch.
Cinch cloth napkins with twine and dress place settings with small posies of flowers and greenery. Monogram by La Happy Designs
Give your guests a little thank you token for taking part in the party – something as simple as muslin pouches filled with chocolates or cookies will do the trick! Favors can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. It’s the sentiment that counts! 
For smaller gatherings, calligraphy menus and place cards add a lovely formality to place settings. Calligraphy by La Happy Designs.
Our over sized autumn centerpiece is filled with favorite bounty of the season (artichokes, the last blackberries on the vine, wheat, and chocolate cosmos) and staged on the side of the table to add ambiance but not to block conversation at the table.
Because champagne flutes look even more festive with flowers, we made sweet corsages by bunching up a few stems, wrapping with green floral tape, and securing with a piece of ribbon!
We hope that your celebrations this season are festive and fun! Who else is hosting Thanksgiving?
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