I’m a big fan of a long, low centrepiece on the special occasion dinner table, and this year I’ve decided you can never underestimate the power of grass. Look outside right now and all you see is brown, yellow, muddy groundcover (I know, I know, we’re lucky it’s not still snow). But I was surfing through some websites today and saw some images of grass, and right away I felt as though inspiration had entered the room. Immediately I thought of summer, and heatwaves, and bright colours, and walking in bare feet.
I think some pots of grass would make a fantastic centrepiece this Easter. You could do individual pots at each place setting, or lined up in a row down the table, or even do just one long tray of grass. If you start growing it now, it will be a good height by Easter Sunday. Sprouts or ferns would also work well. You can nestle in some eggs and chicks, or add a few crocus or lily of the valley to the mix for interest. Voilà, you’re done!
Well, we made it! Meat is thawing and drinks are cooling, everything’s sort of clean and tidy. Have to stop by the grocery store today and THAT’S IT! Then I’m going home and plan to have a rest curled up with a Christmas-themed book I borrowed from my sister, Named of the Dragon, by Susanna Kearsley. It’s lovely so far, and a nice respite from the hectic season. I’ll be deciding on my place settings, preparing a cauliflower dish for tomorrow, and making sure my timetable for Christmas Day’s cooking is on schedule. This is my little family’s day to stay in and have a quiet night before the rush of Christmas Day. We have a tradition where we have appetizers for dinner, just little picky things for the three of us. We relax and let the spirit of the season take over.
Whatever doesn’t get done today, don’t stress! Being with family and friends is really all that matters. Wishing you and yours all the best for the holidays!
Today is the Home & Country holiday tea for our team. We’ve booked ourselves into Toronto’s Windsor Arms for its 12:30 seating and plan to indulge in a couple of peaceful, civilized hours before going our separate ways for the holiday break. I have a couple of things to pick up on the way home (one gift card and a couple of quick stocking stuffers from the drug store), a poinsettia or two and then I’m done! I think… I have one small hiccup—I hid a couple of things for my son, and now I can’t find them. The good news is they’re kind of extra bits, so if I don’t find them in time it’s not the end of the world. But still. Frustrating.
At home, I’m wrapping silverware in linen napkins, attaching a tiny gold ornament and preparing place cards for Christmas Day dinner. I’m also cleaning vases for my centrepieces (I’m doing a long row of cut poinsettias in vintage containers down the middle of the table).
Oh, and don’t forget to take the turkey out of the freezer and place in fridge to thaw.
Grab your compost bin, it’s time to clean out your fridge. Space must be made for all the yummy delicious things that are going to fill the shelves over the next few days. I’ve done my grocery shopping, and I’m starting to do my make-ahead dishes so I’m not overwhelmed on the big day.
Must stop eating chocolate! There are so many goodies going around the office that my pants are already starting to feel tight. And there’s not time to go to the gym (as if I would anyway!). I’m feeling pretty good about my efforts today. Gifts are wrapped, tree is up (although not decorated, that’s my job tonight), and cooking is underway.
If you have time, pick up a Christmas issue of one of the international magazines that just hit the stands last week. I got Country Living UK and a French magazine for a last blast of holiday inspiration. Then make a cup of tea (or pour a glass of eggnog) and relax for half an hour. Cheers!
So, five days to go and I’m officially exhausted! I woke up bright and early this morning to finish up my shopping, and after clearing off the car and shoveling the driveway, I was off to the shops. I managed to complete everything on my list (still looking for cipollini onions), and now I’m ready to finalize my menu and e-mail around to family and friends that are attending Christmas dinner to tell them what to bring. I’m having turkey and beef, with hasselback potatoes and a few other side dishes. I need dessert, so I’m going to ask my sisters to bring cookies or something easy, and I think I’ve got everything else covered. Oh, and I need to borrow a tablecloth and a big coffee-maker from my sister. Good, that’s settled. Now I can take a break and finish some more wrapping. This is also a great day to take half an hour and call a long-distance friend that you won’t see over the holidays. It’ll make your day.
This seems to be THE weekend for parties, and I’m off to my sister Andy’s house for her yummy holiday party. Can’t wait! Hope you’re enjoying some festivities, too.
OMG, went to the shops last night with my mom and stood in line for (what seemed like) ages. NOT made better by having my eight year old tagging along. From now on, it’s gift cards all the way! But my mom finished her shopping, so I count it as a productive evening. I still have a few things to get, and I’m going to brave the Toronto snow storm at lunchtime today to see if I can finish up. I need a trip to Indigo for a couple of paper items, I still need to get a Wii game, and a couple of picture frames.
For today, teacher’s gift and babysitter’s gift, wrapped and delivered. Check.
If the snow stops in time, I’m going to try and do my grocery shopping tonight as well as continue my wrapping. I’m looking for some cipollini onions, and they’re proving a bit hard to find. But after last night I want to avoid the stores on Saturday. Who’s with me?
Level: Easy to medium (depending on how high the snow is!)
Time: 2 hours, tops!
Set up a work space and start wrapping. Put on some music and pour yourself a glass of wine. Even if you’ve only bought one gift, wrap it up! Try to use recycled gift wrap this year, whether it’s wrapping paper, fabric bags, leftover wallpaper or even last year’s remnants. Every little bit makes a difference.
It’s also time to schedule family movie night just to give yourself a breather. Order some take-out for dinner and settle in to Watch White Christmas, Elf, It’s A Wonderful Life or The Sound of Music. Just concentrate on the quieter pleasures of the season.
Level: Easy to moderate (getting everyone together to sit down for a movie can be a challenge!)
Time: 3 hours
There are only 10 more productive days before Christmas, so revisit all your lists today and make sure you’re covered. Make a work-back schedule for the next two weeks, including cleaning jobs, social engagements, wrapping, getting to bed early (yes, put it on the schedule!), cooking and running errands. I always concentrate so much on Christmas that I totally forget Boxing Day, and wake up on December 26 with nothing to eat in the cupboards or fridge because I’ve emptied it all out to fit in Christmas dinner’s menu items! But not this year—this time I’m going to make sure I have it all planned, and today’s the day to think about it.
This is also the time you should be thinking about finalizing sending out your cards, completing any online shopping you have to do and determining which nights you can get to the mall (you definitely don’t want to be doing that on the weekend!). So list it and lock it today.
Level: Easy
Time: up to 1 hour
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by Suzanne Moutis
December 5th, 2008
1 Comment |
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Great gift card ideas from the Style at Home Show
It’s a good thing I’m so ahead of myself or I might be in trouble. We’ve had a week of sickness in my house, and as almost all parents know, this is pretty typical of the season. It didn’t help matters that the office Christmas party was last night and I may have overdone it just a little bit!
So I’m taking advantage of a couple of days when I can sit back, knowing that I’m still on schedule. Tomorrow I’ll be full speed ahead again with the decorating, and my sisters and I have been e-mailing today about getting gift cards for the older kids in the family.
As a rule, I’m not a huge fan of the gift card; I think it’s lazy gift-giving, but sometimes it does make sense. If you’re going the gift card route, try to add some interest in the presentation. For anyone who saw my presentation with assistant editor Karina Leimanis at the Style at Home Show this fall, you know we had tons of great ideas to dress up a gift card. You can colour photocopy the cover of a favourite book, or add a fun playing card or a picture of yourself to a tag and attach the gift card to the other side. Genius! I’d love to know what other ideas you have for dressing up a gift card. Post a comment and let me know!
Creative ideas for dressing up gift cards
P.S. Today’s the day to start thinking about your menu, if you’re hosting, or dishes you’re going to bring if you’re dining somewhere else on Christmas Day. There are only 3 grocery shopping Saturdays left before the big day, and if you’re like me, you’ll have to shop at least twice to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything on your list.
Level: Easy
Time: <20 minutes
Got those cards done yet? Let’s send them off and move on to decorating. It’s time to deck the halls, so pull out the boxes of ornaments and garland and go crazy. If you’re like me, you have an ever-expanding collection of holiday paraphernalia. And I think I said my mom is downsizing, so I’ve taken in a bunch of decorations that remind me of Christmases as a kid. Kitsch factor? High. My kid? Totally in the mood. My husband? Still thrilled (not!), but putting a good face on it. Really, though, putting the holiday stamp on your home doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. All you need is a bowl full of clementines in one room, a poinsettia on the windowsill and a basket of pine cones near the door. You’re done!
Level: Easy to moderate
Time: < 1 hour
