A Few Favourites: Ringing In the Holidays
Yes, it’s the end of November, and for some, Thanksgiving has just wrapped up, but I like to get a jump on some holiday shopping. Actually, I know several people who are actually done their Christmas shopping! I figure I can’t be the only one, so today I wanted to share some fun kitchen gifts that can inspire anyone to be a cook in the kitchen (or at least set the table beautifully).
Note: Not one inch of this post is sponsored. I just want to share with you the wonderful kitchen finds that make my heart pitter patter. Also since Christmas is coming up, I thought I would share some great and affordable kitchen ideas for the food lovers on your list!
Let’s talk about casseroles for a moment, shall we? Just because you’re making something delicious doesn’t mean you can’t serve it in something pretty. Ree Drummond – The Pioneer Woman – is a huge inspiration of mine. While I don’t live on a ranch in Oklahoma, I do live out in the country and love rustic and vintage style pieces. I received these beautiful dishes as a birthday gift and have used them from everything to lasagnas, to baked casseroles, to crisps. The best part? You get two in a set and they are dishwasher safe (I love those magical words). It’s an affordable gift (under $40 Canadian), and perfect for the cook in your life!
Next up, a little more Pioneer Woman to get your heart racing (or at least mine). Ok, I have to admit, I have a mixing bowl obsession! It’s weird, I know. But I love having varying colours and sizes on hand. Plus nothing drives me bonkers like starting a recipe and half way through having to wash a bowl just to use it immediately again. Plus this bowl just screams fun fun fun! Also at an affordable price point (under $30 Canadian), this would make a great gift for a new home owner/renter, a new cook, or for the seasoned chef who wants a little pretty to whip up something delicious in! Look at that colour… and those polka dots!
Here in Canada the Canadian Tire gift guide recently came out in the mail. I have to say, I was as excited to get the magazine as I was to get the Ikea catalog. So after perusing a few times, I found these beautiful dishes: stunning red for the holidays, or the deep charcoal for everyday. They are on my wish list from Santa this year! And for those of you who don’t know why I would need yet another set of dishes… well… I’m my mothers daughter. I can’t count how many complete sets, or partial sets of dishes she has. Each table setting is a creating to reflect something fantastic. A few weekends ago we celebrated the ends of fall and wished my Dad and a close family friend Suzie a Happy (belated) Birthday! Her tablescape included brown plates, with white salad plates that had the cutest squirrels on them. She completed the look with deep orange napkins (that had little acorns in white all over them), and served a delicious Spaghetti & Meatball dinner with home made Cesar salad, and delicious crusty bread (a recipe that I will be making and sharing with you shortly). All of that to say, I would love two sets of daily use dishes. The white/grey combo we are sporting now I would reserve for Spring & Summer and this delicious red colour would make ann appearance on our tables for fall and winter.
As with any design trick when decorating your home, the same applies to decorating your table and that is height. You don’t want everything to lay flat on your table… candles give height, bowls and stands can create depth to your space… and frankly, these serving platters with stands are absolute amazing. I love that you can stack them on top of each other or just serve on your table side by side… the possibilities are endless. Safe for food, you can serve your next loaf of artisan bread sliced up on one, or you can have a selection of dips ready for a bowl of crudites.
I can’t even begin to explain how excited for Christmas I am. The Christmas lights, decorating the tree… all of the amazing traditions we come together as a family and enjoy! We typically host my family and Clint’s family on Christmas day for dinner, and although it can mean a busy day, I love taking the week off together, watching movies in our pjs, cuddles on the couch, and really just spending time together as a family. What are you favourite traditions about the holidays?
Come back soon! I will be sharing with you my Top Christmas Gift Ideas for your #FoodieMama! TONS of great gift ideas to fit any budget. And who doesn’t love that?!
Love the photo from Ikea! 🙂