As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate Thanksgiving more and more. Not so much the food, I'm actually not a big fan of Thanksgiving food, but of the message of gratitude the holiday brings. It's a sweet, little holiday sandwiched between the behemoths of Halloween and Christmas. It celebrates the harvest and autumn, and I adore anything to do with autumn.
So, this is why I decorate for Thanksgiving. I don't go overboard, like I do for Halloween and Christmas.
My living room mantle
Just a little something to be a bit festive.
Thanksgiving is that transitional time, the end of autumn mixing with winter. That is why for the past few years, I have pulled out my Christmas garland and added autumnal elements to give it a taste of both seasons. This year, I kept up the glass pumpkin lights I already had on the mantle for Halloween and weaved it through the garland. I added a real pumpkin, fake autumn fruit, and silk fall leaves. I also hung my banner that reads THANKFUL in sparkly gold letters (made by my beautiful friend, Emily).
In my library, I did something similar, mixing a Christmas garland with autumnal elements. I had to add a little fall owl (on the mantle) to all my Halloween crows still flying about the room.
Left the glass pumpkin lights up here too
In my kitchen, I simply left up all the little pumpkin and gourds I put up in late September. A little reminder of the harvest.
I hope all of you have a relaxing Thanksgiving, a little respite before the Christmas rush. Isn't it so wonderful to have that long weekend to just relax with our loved ones? I love the excuse to think of all that I have been blessed with and get that warm, fuzzy feeling. Something I should do more often, honestly. I, for one, will not be joining the black friday crowds. It messes with my relaxation, gratitude vibe too much, and I have all December for that!
(Not sure when I'll be able to post again. I'm taking back my iPad today, which I just bought last month, to exchange for the new model, however, they do not know when the new model (with verizon) will be in! So, I'll be without it for a week or two. I use my iPad to edit my all of my photos and write my blog. Hopefully, it won't be too long! Or else, I'll just have to steal my husband's iPad for a bit!)
22 comments:
It looks wonderful! I think this sort of transitional time between the spooky festiveness of autumn and the wintery festiveness of Christmas is good. It makes us have a little anticipation for things to come. This year I incorporated old vintage photos in my decor to observe All Saints Day. I like the old timey touch!
Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday! ! Love your decorations- they're wonderful. Love the idea to put fall touches into your Christmas garland. Hope you get that iPad- I'll miss your posts. :)
Btw- love that cartoon!!
You have a beautiful home. Thanks for the Thanksgiving glimpse into it.
I love the sneak peeks into your house. It looks so cozy and festive. :)
Gorgeous as always my friend!!
So pretty! I like Thanksgiving decorations too and the idea of decorating around the harvest. I like your owl!
I totally agree with that ecard about Black Friday. I was planning on posting that on my blog this month too.
I do envy you - here in the UK we don't tend to dress the house up seasonally, only at Christmas.
I love the 'bunting' strung across the fireplace!
Looking at these lovely pictures, I think tomorrow I will have to start putting some Autumn colours back into my house......!
Heather - You always know how to do old-timey well! I love your late fall decor!
Pattianne - Thank you! Looks like I'm getting a macbook this weekend, so I won't have to wait until my new ipad is ready.
Julie - Thank you!
Heather - Thank you, friend! You're welcome to come stay in it if you like. :)
Julie - Thanks! Doesn't your beautiful painting look awesome in my kitchen?! I love her!
Donna - Thank you! I knew you'd like the owl. ;)
Sue - Yes, it seems we Americans are good at overdoing everything, huh? :) I'd love to see what you do at Christmas!
Oh! And of course, Julie, your girl above the mantle in my library too! Love her there! :)
I love it! So festive. I missed Halloween while in Australia and returned to temps in the high 90s so I don't feel like it's Fall yet :(
I'll go look at all of your posts that I missed to get me in the spirit!!
Hope you get the new iPad soon!
The decorations are awesome! That's OK if you don't like Thanksgiving food; you can change the menu, that will not change the tradition but it will change your taste for the season Alyson!
Your house is ADORABLE! I love the colors and the beams - so cozy & quaint. Although we live in England, we definitely still celebrate Thanksgiving - one of my favorite holidays because if its simplicity.
Hi Alyson, I happened to come across your blog and love your writing and photos (and what a gorgeous house!). I'll be checking back to see what else you're up to!
You could work professionally as an interior decorator. I know you enjoy writing too but have you considered that other career?
I can't wait to see what you do for Christmas! As usual, your decorations make me want to get creative in my home! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
I just found you from Nantucket State of Mind. I love your blog! I live in MA but my husband and I take our girls to New Hampshire every summer. We love it there.
That's a lovely post and I really like your take on the decorations mixing the seasons. We don't really celebrate Thanksgiving here in the UK, but I think there's something nice about having one day in the year dedicated to be thankful for what we have. The last picture made me giggle though :-) have a great week.
PS: Thanks so much for your lovely comments, I really appreciate it.
Leeann - Thanks for all your sweet comments! I ended up buying a new macbook to use while I'm waiting for my iPad. I was planning on getting one soon anyway. :)
A - Thank you! I always love your comments! I think I will change the menu up this year. My husband is allergic to turkey anyway, so I guess we weren't meant to be traditional.
HH UK - Thanks so much! I love this old house! Glad you are carrying on your American traditions while abroad. It brings a sense of familiar to unfamiliar surroundings. Enjoy!
Paigenicholl - Thank you so very much! I'll visit your site as well!
Sarah - Thanks for that compliment! I have thought about that as a possibility for my future. I really love making my surroundings beautiful. I live with an anxiety disorder, and the more I can suit my surroundings to be something I find calming and beautiful, the better I feel.
Meghan - Thank you! I'm looking forward to decorating for Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend. I've got some ideas rolling around in my head. :)
Kerri - Thank you! And thank you for visiting! We live in southern NH, so we enjoy both our state and Mass quite a lot. New England is amazing!!
Mademoiselle - Thanks so much for the compliment! It is such a nice holiday. It really turns my mind to the things I have to be grateful for.
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