Bay laurel can be arranged from any florist, however this is also a fantastic time to take a walk around the area and see what lovely branches you might have in your backyard.

Keep It Simple For a meal which currently requires days of homework, serving meals buffet-style is a surefire way to lighten the load on the hostess. And on a vacation that is as food-centric as Thanksgiving, there is no better way to provide guests the freedom to come back to get a second (and third!) Helping of their favourite dishes. I put up my buffet onto a classic wood sideboard. This is a superb time to get creative and consider repurposing furniture from various other areas of the house -- an old dresser, desk or just a wood door propped on sawhorses would make a perfect buffet.

Take It Up a Level Using levels on a buffet is a little trick I learned from my times in catering -- it is a fantastic way to draw visual height and functionality to your display. With this rustic-elegant dining table, I sourced classic wooden cheese boxes from antique stores then piled them underneath serving platters, flower arrangements and decorative elements for added visual interest.

Inspired Entertaining Defining your colour palette is the first step in making a signature look for your celebration custom shower glass doors frameless . and it doesn't have to be complicated. Locate one decorative component or tabletop piece that you love, and let that set the tone for the remainder of the decoration. This season, I was attracted to the plum, gold and sage green in this set of heirloom china, therefore that I allow those colors inspire the flowers, place cards and favors to get a simple yet pulled-together look.

Add Organic Elements A stunning garland made of lush greenery is also an affordable way to alter the look of your buffet. This one was made by linking bay laurel branches with floral cord, then adjusting it into the corners of the table for a natural, seasonal pop of colour. Bay laurel can be arranged from any florist, however this is also a fantastic time to take a walk around the area and see what lovely branches you might have in your backyard.

The Season's Harvest Celebrate the season by scattering harvest elements such as gourds and pumpkins around the platters on the buffet. Pick up the real thing in the supermarket or stop by the local craft store for artificial gourds and squash which may be reused on your decor year in, year out. A quick shot with spray paint turned into these gold and white -- perfectly in line with the table elegant aesthetic.

Contain Yourself Place silverware and rolled-up linen napkins at the close of the buffet so guests aren't juggling too many things as they go online. For a cheap way to beautifully display utensils, paint fundamental canning jars at a colour to coordinate with your decor strategy. Before painting, eliminate the silver components, then once the paint has dried, then reattach it for a sophisticated "mixed alloys" look.

Opt for Fuss-Free Florals Incorporate autumnal branches on your floral arrangements. This centerpiece was made using lemon geranium, cranberry viburnum, oat grass, hops and green wheat in an easy ceramic vase to get a look that's organic, seasonal and simple.

Light It Up Add ambiance using an eclectic selection of mismatched brass candlesticks. These may be found inexpensively at any thrift shop or antique store. When topped with a flickering taper candle, they include warmth, height and vintage appeal for your holiday buffet.

All in the Details You have spent all day cooking a masterpiece, proudly allow guests know what they have to appear forward to by labeling each dish on the buffet with a pretty menu card. I am sharing those that I made for my buffet using the simple downloadable template attached below. Just print on card stock, cut out, then fill in the title of every item. Fold over the marked lines to create a tent shape which stands up on its own, and also display facing each serving dish on the buffet.

Barrels of Fun To prevent things from getting too congested around the buffet, then I love to set up a different drink station where guests can pour and replenish their own drinks. For this meal, I continued my rustic-elegant scheme by rolling out a wood wine barrel into the corner of the dining room to serve as a temporary pub.

Piping Hot Nothing puts guests at the holiday spirit like aromatic, piping hot apple cider vinegar. On the table, set out a pitcher of cider with lots of fairly teacups and mugs so guests may help themselves. Add cinnamon stir sticks for a spicy taste of fall.

All Hail the Turkey Let's face it: The turkey is the culinary star of the series. Though in the past I've tried techniques from frying to brining, this season I chose to stick to convention by roasting a whole fresh turkey, infusing it with herbal and citrus flavors. Served on an easy white dish atop a bed of lemon slices, sage and chamomile, I elevated the bird in my cheese box levels to become the gorgeous focal point in the middle of this buffet.

The Good Stuff When it comes to Thanksgiving, stuffing is obviously among the most eagerly expected dishes. This recipe is especially yummy with seasonal favorites like cornbread, dried fruit along with yummy herbs. My guideline when making stuffing: Prepare yourself for visitors to return for seconds -- and consistently make enough for all those day-after turkey sandwiches.

'Tis the Season Butternut squash is a quintessential fall dish that tops most people's Thanksgiving must-have lists. My version is roasted with fresh sage and pumpkin seeds until golden and caramelized. It perfumes the entire house with its sweet aroma while cooking, and looks beautiful served at an easy white serving bowl.

Eat Your Veggies Brussels sprouts may not have the best reputation, but if prepared my way, they're always the first item to evaporate from the Thanksgiving table. This maple-glazed variant with thyme is my family's favorite and has been known to convert just about any guest to a true sprouts fan.

Seasonal Sweetness Put a fresh spin on convention and exchange at standard pumpkin pie with this layered, seasonal confection. These pumpkin parfaits are light yet decadent and look amazing served in mismatched vintage stemware. An added perk? They can be prepared the night before and kept in the refrigerator until time to serve. When guests are ready for dinner, then place them on a buffet with leftovers at the ready.

Let Them Eat Turkey Everybody knows that one of the greatest things about Thanksgiving is appreciating the leftovers days after the feast. This year, share the wealth by turning leftovers into prettily-packaged favors for every guest to tote home. Simply publish this template on full-sheet labels in the office supply store, then cut and stick to take-away boxes for visitors to fill with each of their favorites out of the meal.