Table for Plenty
Always the consummate hostess, my mom envisioned a dining room table that would seat plenty of guests. After many years of searching, she finally found the table of her dreams—of course, it took her over ten years to find it.
The Cherished Dining Room Table
My mom LOVES this table. She loves and protects it so much that only certain people can open and close the table. I happen to be one of the chosen few. Whenever the occasion calls for the grand unveiling of her cherished dining table, my mom assumes her role as the vigilant overseer with gusto. With eagle-eyed precision, she stands guard, the keeper of domestic order, ensuring that no careless soul dares to disrupt the delicate choreography of the unfolding spectacle. Every creak of the expanding wood draws forth a gentle admonition, a whispered plea for caution, lest an unsuspecting move bangs the table. For grace and elegance reign supreme in her meticulously arranged dining domain, and woe befall heaven forbid anyone who dares to knock into anything lest they face the wrath of her disapproving gaze.
On his first encounter with closing the table at evening’s end, my sister’s boyfriend made the mistake of stating, “It’s just a regular table on gliders.” Her eyes squinted as she laid daggers toward him, saying, “It is not a regular table.” While he is still welcome at family dinners, he is not welcome to open or close the table.
Raised to Entertain
My mom has been hosting family get-togethers for as long as I can remember. She keeps a file of every holiday and celebration. Each file includes the guest list and the food served over the past forty years. My mom is 92 years old. The torch has been passed, although she still likes to have a say in the menu and guest list. We were raised to entertain for holidays & celebrations. It makes carrying on her love of entertainment easy.
I design the tablescapes because I love doing this for my mom. She always sets a beautiful table with her good china or silver utensils. If my mom had her way, the table would be set a week before the dinner gathering. It is a safety hazard for her and her walker. When I wait until a day or two prior, it stresses her out. But, it stresses me more knowing it is too difficult to navigate around the table with a walker.
I Don’t Want This Table
Now that my mom is in her 90s, she has taken to verbally bequeathing items in her house. The table is one of those items. She will say, “Hmmm, I don’t know who will want the table.” I do not want this table. For forty-plus years, because I have been one of the designated few allowed to open and close the table under her watchful eyes, it’s fine with me if I never see this table again. But ironically, I do love creating tablescapes. It’s complicated since I never cared growing up. In fact, I found it annoying even to set the holiday table.
Decorating Holiday Tables
When HaveUHeard changed its focus away from college to lifestyle, decorating holiday tables became a creative outlet and distraction from life’s stresses, challenges, and worries. The goal is to create a table of dreams. I share ideas I have come across, adding my take. It doesn’t matter the holiday. I love sharing how you can decorate a DIY and store-bought holiday table. Perhaps it will inspire you. I work with some incredible small businesses and national retailers. I believe that a beautifully created table sets the tone for the holiday.
The Holiday Seasons
Planning and conceptualizing starts as each holiday ends from the year prior. Of course, I take advantage of everything on sale. The year begins slowly with a Valentine’s Day tablescape, followed by Passover, Mother’s Day, and July 4th.
Fall is my favorite but busiest time of year. I’ve got the Jewish holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah. The best part is that my family and friends benefit from my decor and dinners. Sometimes, there may be a little gift for them. I give my Christmas decor to my niece since they celebrate Christmas with her family and extended family. It’s perfect!
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Tablescapes To Date
Valentine’s Day
The tables I do are more for my girlfriends. They love chocolate and candy, so that has become a predominant theme.
Passover
Typically, the table is kept simple. Since Passover is also known as the spring festival, celebrating the beginning of the agricultural season, I will incorporate spring flowers and colors.
Mother’s Day
I am blessed to have my mom still around. Even though my sisters and I are still moms, the day is always celebrated with all of us moms.
2024
Fourth of July
Jewish New Year
I set up my first high holiday table this past year. Honey and apples were the predominant themes.
Thanksgiving
This is my favorite holiday. Typically, I incorporate all the fall colors even though it’s about 80 degrees in South Florida and fall weather doesn’t exist here. I still love creating a fall tablescape.
Hanukkah
My Hanukkah tablescapes follow the traditional blue, gold, or silver color scheme. Sometimes, it includes a new menorah. This year, I found this cool menorah. I’m very spiritual, and this menorah leans into that. The table will be designed around the menorah.
Christmas
Although I am Jewish, I grew up celebrating the spirit of Christmas with my aunt and uncle. Honestly, it is a fun table to design. I’ve already purchased a lot of table decor. I’m excited to set it up once I add some whimsical pieces.
Other Tablescapes
Besides holidays, I will add special occasions like baby showers, bridal showers, and birthdays. I designed a tablescape for my mom’s 90th birthday tea party. The decor could easily be used for a bridal shower, too.
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