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!
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.
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
So it’s the end of November and you still haven’t thought about the holidays? Don’t worry, I’ll guide you through it. I’ve had the music on for at least a couple of weeks to get me in the mood, although it doesn’t take much. I’m usually thinking about Christmas by the beginning of September, and I’m one of those people who buy all the specialty holiday magazines as soon as they hit the stands.
It helps to work in the magazine industry, where putting together our holiday issue starts in July so it can be at the printers by the end of September. So now I’ve got my arsenal of Christmas Ideas by my bedside table, with Post-It notes aplenty poking out the top.
I come from a big family of holiday lovers, and this year my mom has been downsizing, so I’ve greedily taken in all her piles (and piles… and piles!) of Christmas magazines from, oh, about 1959 all the way through to last year. My husband, as you can imagine, is thrilled (but he’s a great sport!).
So here is today’s task to get you started: Put on some holiday music and hang your front-door wreath.
Level: Easy!
Time: < 5 minutes (if you can find the wreath).
What’s your first holiday task? Share your ideas by clicking “Post a comment” at the beginning of this post.
