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Nostalgia & Traditions- Setting Your HOME for the HOLIDAYS
A few weeks ago, I attended a tea party run by the Mad Harlot Tea Society’s outrageous, Penelope Proper. It was held in the old Calderone Theatre, (the building that houses Uniquely Natalie) and it was truly a day of nostalgia. Women wore hats and dressed for tea, ready to be transported to a time when life was slower paced and the elegance of home and table were “de rigueur”.
The table was set with lovely damask table cloths, a variety of elegant china tea settings (with white stitched doilies placed underneath), sunflower centerpieces and a table strewn with fall leaves and caramels. This blast from the past clearly evoked memories of mothers and grandmothers who enjoyed the sights, smells, and sounds of home in a way many of us, with our hectic schedules, lack the time to emulate.
Perhaps we need to rethink that last statement. Or, consider the family of today and their future memories. What will they recall as happy traditions of home? Is it worth our time and effort to continue them?
The holidays are fast approaching; although they’re the busiest and most hectic time, they’re the most family oriented time of the year. The time when our best intentioned plans often go awry because there is so much to do.
My advice – stay focused and make a plan. Perhaps some of these suggestions will help…
• Set the table early – today, if possible – use what you were saving for company, such as: your best china, silver and stemware, or the beautiful tablecloth that was Grandma’s. (The sooner you do, the less time in which your dining room table will be the drop off for non-dining room “stuff”.)
• Make sure all serving pieces are washed thoroughly and silver is polished (in advance).
• Look at the rest of your dining room and see if it’s neat, orderly and user-friendly for entertaining. If serving buffet is your style, make sure there’s enough room for all the food and adornments on your table. Don’t be left to scrounge for more set-up space when company is walking in the door.
• Do your decorations overwhelm your guests? Is there still room for comfortable seating or should you move things around in advance to accommodate everyone?
• If you can’t deal with all the cooking yourself, suggest a potluck: where everyone brings a dish. It’s not really about the food, but about the good time everyone will have when they get together. (Just make sure everyone doesn’t bring the same dish.)
• To ensure that guests don’t turn up too early, set the time for them to arrive and don’t leave it too open ended.
• If guests are staying over, make sure their quarters are prepared and user friendly (empty drawers and closet space, clean towels, fresh bed linens). Do you want to decorate that area with holiday décor?
• Is your coat closet empty? Are there extra hangers in it?
• Do candle holders have candles?
• For growing family gatherings, to relieve stress, hiring a caterer is always an option.
• If you are cooking, did you plan and write out your entire menu with the time you will serve, so you know how the event will flow?
• What about the kids? Have you planned anything special for them to keep them happy and occupied?
• If gift giving is part of your celebration, be sure you’ve wrapped a few extra presents. (If additional guests turn up, no one will feel left out.)
Enjoy the holidays and best wishes
from the Weinstein staff to you this
holiday season!
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