Gathering for Fall

Unlike other seasons that loudly announce their arrival, Autumn quietly comes to us, each day slightly cooler, filling our gardens and tables with the warmer colors of nature. Travel slows from the summer months but has not yet hit its’ holiday stride, it is the perfect time to host a Fall Gathering at home and set the table with the first signs of the season.

For me Fall entertaining is a magical time of year. The bounty of harvest makes for an amazingly colorful and texture filled display that will last long past your dinner party. Look to the garden or farmers market for inspiration as well as well priced gourds in all sizes - fill baskets to place at your doorway to welcome guests to your home. Continue this theme into your home for displays on mantels, book shelves and onto your dining table.

Send out the invites for a Fall Gathering and suggest each guest brings along a dish to share, this helps reduce the amount of work you have to do and also encourages conversations about the recipes. To make it easier on the guest pick a theme to base their dish on such as “Comfort Food”, “Mom’s Favorite Recipe” or “Fresh From the Farm” – I find people like to make their own final decisions but also feel more comfortable when they have some direction.

To create this Fall inspired tablescape with mini pumpkins use a denim blue table covering to set a neutral backdrop for the colors of fall, even orange looks great against it! Stack autumn tone leaf plates on wood chargers, then set an orange mini pumpkin at each placesetting on top of a folded white linen napkin to add a special something to each place setting, you may even suggest that each guest can take their pumpkin with them as a gift. Scatter additional mini pumpkins down the center of the table, but be sure to pick the ones with perfect little stems!

For an easy, colorful yet still fall flower arrangement use sunflowers. It really pulls the arrangement together and reminds me of fields bursting with sunflowers and the last sunny days of the year. Mix in wildflowers and seeded Eucalyptus in to keep the natural feel, and a few fading tulips to add a contrasting color.

Celebrating the harvest with friends and family has been a tradition in this country and others for many generations, I encourage you to continue this with your loved ones around your table. Cheers.

An accomplished home and event stylist, Krayl Funch’s passion for living well is evident in everything she touches. Raised in Connecticut, just a short 30 minute train ride into New York City, and currently residing in Tampa Bay, she easily blends New England sophistication with Southern hospitality. Learn more www.AnAppealingPlan.com

---

Krayl Funch

Story by Krayl Funch 
Krayl is an Entertaining & Lifestyle Expert 
and author of the book  An Appealing Plan. 
For more information visit: http://anappealingplan.com/

---