How to Host a Thanksgiving Brunch Party | As Seen on Lifestyle Today Show

Thanks to all who tuned into my segment on WLNY/CBS’ Lifestyle Today Show last weekend! I was thrilled to share my tips for how to host a chic, intimate and stress-free Thanksgiving brunch party. From your theme to your tablescape to serving the food, I covered it all! Be sure to click the video to watch the whole segment. Tips and visuals are below as well. Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!!!

CHOOSE YOUR BRUNCH THEME

Everyone loves a theme! Maybe it’s a Bohemian brunch with pops of your favorite fall colors, Pumpkins and Palomas, Harvest and Hot Cocoa, to name a few. A theme just adds that fun customized aspect to the party. 

TABLESCAPE STYLING

Create a chic and modern brunch table using a neutral palette of cream and white. It gives a clear surface to allow the entire experience to come to life. Elegantly group small pumpkins, warm florals and birch pillars as your centerpiece. Then, utilize festive glassware and sparkly placemats to introduce bling into the table.

CREATE A SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

Here’s where you can hone in on your creativity while simultaneously keeping things simple. Too many options can be stressful! One cocktail and a small selection of non-alcoholic drinks like coffee and sparkling water will alleviate that complexity and give guests a surprise to be excited about.

DISTANCE YOUR FOOD AND DRINK AREA

If you’re serving things buffet-style, keep drinks and food on opposite ends of the room or island to prevent gridlock and help keep the flow of the brunch. Having small bites like pumpkin french toast sticks, scones and cinnamon rolls help guests easily grab and go. This allows guests to mingle and keep the atmosphere lively.

Photography by Grace + Light Photo

How to Set Up an Easy, Chic & Rustic Thanksgiving Brunch Table

Thanksgiving is here again! Hard to believe it. Every year I have visions for what I would like my own table to look like - I usually help out the family and add my own touches to the table. If you know me, they're usually gold! This year, (my second Thanksgiving in CA) I'll be spending the holiday with my relatives at my grandma's house near Palm Springs. In lieu of being surrounded by the desert, I've been swooning over really great rustic table set-ups.

With all the commotion of the holidays, no matter how much of in-advance planning, I always feel like as a whole everyone leans towards a more seamless decorating process. With that said, I wanted to create an easy, chic table set up that is stress free and simple. You can still have a gorgeous themed table without going incredibly all out, and you just need a few core decorations to pull it all together.

With the help of my friend and stylist, Marisa Trujillo we created the perfect rustic table set up fit for a Thanksgiving brunch... or dinner! 

Here's how to do it:

If you have a wooden table, that's a total plus! But, of course any type of table will do. 

The core items you need for the foundation of a rustic Thanksgiving table are 3 large white pumpkins (for the center), mini pumpkins (white or orange for each table setting) eucalyptus leaves (as a table runner), gold charger plates, chunky white candles, taper candles, and delicate branches and pine cones, ideally with some type of gold glitter detail. 

Once you have your items, it's time to set everything up. Truthfully, the entire decor process shouldn't take any more than 45 minutes! Of course, depending on how many guests will be at your table the time will fluctuate.

Start by placing your gold glittered wreath in the center of the table. Then, take your three big pumpkins and place them in the middle of the wreath. If they all can't fit, choose one big pumpkin and one medium sized pumpkin to place in the middle and fill the empty space with some fun gourds, pinecones, festive picks or leaves. 

Lay fresh eucalyptus on both sides of the pumpkins and wreath. On top of the eucalyptus, lay your glittered branches and pine cones on top. 

Then, take your chunky white candles as well as your taper candles and put them on either side of the table. Don't forget to light them! Just be careful because these things are so thin that they like to topple, so make sure they're standing straight up and are secure.

Adding candles to any tablescape always adds the festive, intimate touch that you didn't know your table needed. 

Ready for this one? That was the hardest part! 

The next step is to take your fabulous gold charger plates and set them up for each person who will be sitting at your table. Top the plates with your favorite white plates. If they've got some chic, rustic detailing, even better! 

Choose cloth napkins that match the colors you're going for - whether it's orange, brown, gold, taupe or creme.

Gently place your small pumpkins on top of your cloth napkins. If you have any extra eucalyptus, take a tiny branch and place on the napkin. Acorns, a gilded leaf, or a pinecone could work just as well.

Follow with the placement of your favorite gold silverware on top or beside the plates.

The only thing left is to pour your wine, bring out your yummy dishes and carry out your afternoon with your favorite traditions.

Whether it's cutting your favorite apple pie, topping your yams with marshmallows, trying out your new pumpkin spice pancake recipe or savoring every bite of your family's heavenly corn casserole, it's the time to dig in and be thankful for the day! Amidst all the chaos, you know that Black Friday will be even crazier. So take it all in while you can!

Decorating a tablescape can often seem a bit intimidating, but as long as you've got the right items for the foundation of your table, it's really quite a seamless process and enjoyable process! I can guarantee that your guests will love this one. 

May you all have a very blessed and fun Thanksgiving!

Photography & Styling by: Grace + Light Photo