Journey To Me

Frugal Fridays!!!

Welcome to this week's edition of Frugal Fridays!

My tip for today is on Thanksgiving Dinner.

I am hosting 12 people for Thanksgiving Dinner and it is my first time having this dinner at my home.  My husband's family is well-to-do and they break out the china and real silver at their houses for dinner.  I don't have china or real silver (though I do have my great grandmother's everyday flatware, which I will be using) and was feeling down in the dumps that I would not be able to host dinner in a grand dining room like they are able to do. 

So, I just put it out of my head that I (at 29 years old) am supposed to have a huge house with a formal dining room and china and silver...  I have beautiful stonewear dishes which I received as wedding gifts (we specifically requested NO CHINA as we would so seldom use it) and I am going to place 2 borrowed "church basement tables" in my large living room and cover them with homemade tableclothes.  My wine glasses are made of glass, not crystal, which is okay with me because it costs me pennies to replace glasses instead of dollars (I break things often when handwashing) 

They will just have to live with bringing a dish to pass (I requested they do this if possible to cut down on my stress and grocery budget) and sitting on folding chairs for one afternoon.  Plus, in the three and a half years I have lived at this house, they have not once come to visit (most live over an hour and a half away).  So, I guess it is even a blessing that they would choose to drive all that way to spend Thanksgiving with me! 

I am going to just let it happen as it is supposed to.  Maybe my next house will have a large formal dining room!  (Probably not as my husband thinks they are a wasted space!!!  What a smart man I have!) 

So, I could go out and buy all the fancy things I think I need to host this meal, but I am going to let myself be happy with all the great items I already have to use in making dinner an event to remember!

Thanksgiving Plans

02:54, Friday, November 9, 2007 .. Posted by Comfortcottage

Your dinner plans sound lovely. Stoneware and homemade tableclothes! Family is such a blessing and now your relatives will know how much they've missed by not visiting you and enjoying your hospitality sooner. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Linda

Untitled Comment

06:22, Saturday, November 10, 2007 .. Posted by gokings13

When a meal was shared in the Bible........I don't recall reading about the china or silver ware, or decor? :-)

Remember, it's about family...not flatware, and you will be relaxed and so will your company!

Laura

Untitled Comment

04:21, Saturday, November 10, 2007 .. Posted by gabbie427

Remember getting together for the holidays is about family, gathering, visiting, loving on one another. Who cares if it is stoneware, expensive china or chinet?? LOL

Our family personally buys the pastic silverware and styrofoam divider plates and napkins. With that many people there are SO many dishes to wash afterwards, and our family can throw most of it in the trash and go visit and enjoy the holiday instead of standing in the kitchen washing dishes or loading the dishwasher!!!!

I think the stoneware, and homemade tableclothes and cozy tables in the living room sound wonderful and inviting!!!

Enjoy the holiday adn don't stress over it hun!!!

God Bless,
Amy Jo

Thanksgiving

01:17, Monday, November 12, 2007 .. Posted by borderling

It sounds wonderful. Pray blessings over your home before your guests arrive. Let the Holy Spirit do His work. People will feel comfort and peace in your home. This is what they will truly remember.
From Glory Farm,
Rhonda