Hostess with the Mostess™

Don’t forget about the little ones tomorrow! Here are a few of my favorite table decorating ideas from Martha Stewart’s Thanksgiving Tables for Kids gallery….

Getting excited for Thursday… and these pumpkin treats are looking especially good! Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake and Pumpkin Whoopie Pies from rachaelraymag.com.

Looking for some gift ideas to help you say thanks to your Thanksgiving hostess with the mostess and/or host with the most? Here are a bunch of fun options to consider… The entire first set comes from the always hip & unique online shop, Patina .

{pictured above} bright mini nesting bowls , onion goggles , pinch bowl set , groovy mums tray , orange/clove hand soap (LOVE the packaging!), Giving Thanks , and pumpkin candle jar

More cool & contemporary ideas from Crate&Barrel, cb2, Elsewares, and Lekker home..

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Hi Everyone -
Just wanted to let you know that we have new Thanksgiving party/tabletop themes and ideas up on hostesswiththemostess.com ! The first is "Autumn Spice " and is super affordable - almost entirely made up of scrapbooking papers & embellishments, exotic-looking dried flowers from Michael’s , and cinnamon stick filler from Target (for $5.99)! Click here for full details.

The second Thanksgiving theme is "Modern Elegance " and has a more elegant/traditional feel, but with a modern twist.
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A few tempting signature drink ideas for your Thanksgiving Soriee, featuring some very Thanksgiving-appropriate ingredients…

• Pumpkin Pie - features Kahlua, Malibu Rum, Milk, Cinnamon, and Pumpkin Pie Filling {recipe via cocktailtimes.com - see below for our modified version}
• Gingersnap cocktail - features spiced rum, ginger brandy, eggnog, and a gingersnap cookie! {recipe via thebar.com}
• Pumpkin Divine martini - features Grey Goose La Poire flavored vodka, pumpkin butter (!), Triple Sec, clove, and nutmeg - amongst other things {recipe via cocktailtimes.com}
• Spiced Apple mixer from Stirrings - a blend of real apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make life easy - just add vodka and serve!

Pumpkin Pie Cocktail Recipe Modification:
We tested the *original recipe for the Pumpkin Pie cocktail today - and found it to be way too “pumpkin-y” for our taste - so here’s a modified version of the recipe that we liked better, with a much more subtle hint of pumpkin:

• 1 oz Malibu rum
• 1 oz Kahlua
• 6 oz milk
• 1/3 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 to 1 tsp pumpkin pie filling (depending on desired taste)

Blend all ingredients together in a blender with a few cubes of ice. Serve in a glass rimmed with very finely crushed graham cracker crumbs. Sprinkle more cinnamon on top for garnish. Enjoy!

*(original recipe ingredients: 1 oz Malibu rum, 1/2 oz Kahlua, 2 oz milk, 3/4 oz pumpkin pie filling, ice, cinnamon for garnish)

Here’s a super easy way to dress up your Thanksgiving cocktail or wine glasses: do-it-yourself drink tags made from scrapbooking coaster tags! For the “charms” pictured here, I used the contemporary, autumn-themed Here’s a super easy way to dress up your Thanksgiving cocktail or wine glasses: do-it-yourself drink tags made from scrapbooking coaster tags! For the “charms” pictured here, I used the contemporary, autumn-themed Madera Island mini coaster tags by SEI.

The mini coasters are made of chipboard and ready to go as-is, so all you need to do is punch a small hole at the top of each one using a 1/16″ hole punch. Thread the tag onto a strand of raffia, then tie the raffia onto the glass, wrapping it around the stem a few times before tieing it into a knot. Super quick & easy - and you can tailor this idea to any holiday or party theme!

*These charms are part of our new Autumn Spice Thanksgiving theme. Click here to check out the entire thing on hostesswiththemostess.com!

Metallic dishes and decor are really popular for the holidays this year - and rich copper provides the perfect hue for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Here are some pretty, shimmery picks available now at C&B…

{pictured above} glittery copper Flicker Candles ($6.95 - $16.95), Hammered Copper Platter and Chargers ($34.95 - $54.95…gorgeous - but a splurge!), Lena Compote flared bowl ($36.95) and Glitter Ribbon Drop Ornaments ($2.95/ea)