The season for indoor entertaining is here, and Thanksgiving is one of the first big events on the calendar! Before any food is on the table, your table décor can make a great first impression and set the tone for the evening. There are many options for the theme and mood your table setting can create. There’s rustic, casual, playful, formal, modern, elaborate and traditional, just to name a few, and each table should be created with its own unique vibe in mind. Like many holidays throughout the year, Thanksgiving is all about family, friends, and appreciating togetherness. However, every complete table setting has at least a touch of seasonal creativity or holiday cheer that makes it just as unique as the holiday you’re celebrating! Setting a fall-inspired Thanksgiving table is a breeze if you just let the outdoors be your guide. Nature makes it easy by inspiring us with its natural cycle of seasons and array of colours. For our table, we drew inspiration from the transition of seasons, going from vibrant summer colours to warmer and sometimes more subdued earthy tones. We kept the décor classic and simple, yet warm and inviting. This year, with the help of our easy inspirational tips, set a table that will draw in your friends and family for an unforgettable holiday celebration!

(Not So) Plain and Simple

If you enjoy setting a holiday table, but want to surprise your guests with something different, go neutral and go simple. We’ve done the colourful tables with the classic holiday hues and seasonal colours. Bright and vibrant, those tables are energetic and mirror the excitement we feel that comes with holiday cheer. This time, we had a different philosophy in mind. While we wanted to stay true to the values Thanksgiving brings forward and the season in which it falls, we kept this table’s palette in neutral tones, focusing on white and beige, with wood and gold accents. Switching things up and taking a different approach to your decor is sure to make an impact with your guests. This Thanksgiving, it’s all about the mantra less is more.

Harvest the Classics

When choosing dinnerware and stemware for a table with a warm and basic colour scheme, complementing it with classic designs will do your vision justice. On our table, we used the Riedel Stemware. Made in Germany, its sophisticated design and high quality construction will speak for itself–your table doesn’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles to impress your guests. We also went classic with our dinnerware–the curved pattern on the Sola Dinnerware Set complements the subtle swirls of colour in the Gelato Coffee Dinnerware Set and makes them the perfect pair for our neutral, yet inviting table. Sometimes the key to creating gorgeous table décor is thanks to a designer who knows when to hold back! Skipping the loud prints, vibrant accents, and the traditional holiday embellishments can be the way to a carefully balanced and elegant table for your Thanksgiving celebration.

Modern Autumn

When you think of autumn in relation to a tablescape, your mind might go to rustic-chic, warm and woodsy tones, autumnal colours and maybe even an antique look. To keep a modern and classy element to your table, you can add touches of gold or silver. On this year’s Thanksgiving table, we achieved this by incorporating some glitter in our name cards and we wrapped our Rings Flatware with a quaint gold ribbon. This easy-to-add element will add sophistication to your table in no time.

Ecotherapy

Fact: Adding seasonal elements from nature enhances any table setting. It brings the soothing quality of the great outdoors in and is sure to create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests. This time of year, you can literally pluck some great decorative accents for your table right off the trees! Plus, natural embellishments are elegant and easy. Whether it is colourful leaves, branches, or seasonal produce, like the butternut squash and acorn squash we used, integrating nature to your table will add liveliness and warmth to the ambiance you create.

Show, Don’t Tell!

If you love to host gatherings for friends and family like we do, you want to make sure your guests feel at home at every event–whether it is intimate and casual or grand and extravagant. You can show your guests your appreciation through features of your tablescape that can be thoughtful and stylish. Place settings, for instance, should have a unique inviting touch; show your guests you’re grateful that they are there with a personalized name card. Other elements you can add to make the evening feel special is to demonstrate you went the extra mile by bringing out particular items that you cherish, like a dinnerware set that has been passed down through the family, or that you save only for special occasions. Layering the place settings with multiple chargers and placemats, like we did, also adds an element of drama and novelty to the table.

Give any of these a try and we’re sure it’ll be a success.

Helping you set inspiring tables true to your unique personality,

The holiday décor is up, the invitations have gone out and preparations for your holiday feast are well underway! It’s time to start planning how you will set and decorate your holiday table. A table setting is a balance between dining essentials and whimsical décor that set the ambiance of the evening for you and your guests.

It’s important to note what will make both you and your guests well equipped to enjoy the feast ahead and to make sure that you include it in your table setting.  Otherwise, it’s all about having fun and giving holiday flare to the most scrumptious meal of the season!

This season, whether it’s a casual or formal affair, minimalist or embellished style, try something new, keep it personal, but don’t be afraid to indulge in your most festive side!   A holiday table is about showcasing the elaborate feast you have prepared in style and celebrating the holiday with your family and friends.

These tips will help get you inspired to create your most merry tablescape yet!

Go for unconventional charm

Get creative and use something in a new and alternative way. Are you still in love with the pattern from last year’s tablecloth? Fold it lengthwise a few times and use it as a table runner instead, just like we did with our Christmas plaid tablecloth on our table!   Want to make sure your guests will be so comfortable they will want stay at your table for hours?  Use some pillows as seat cushions and add an element of décor like we did with our country poinsettia place mat.  However you choose to use your unique holiday charm, guests will be awed by your decorative ingenuity!

Personalize it

Mealtime during the holidays is a family affair.  Keep things warm and inviting with a few personal touches to your table.   A small treat, or a gift that is at their place setting, or even individual decorated name cards can be a cheerful and festive way to make each and every guest feel welcome.  Not to mention the fact that that it adds an element of organization to your table.  You can be sure that there will be no awkward shuffling around when it comes time for your guests to take their seats! Adding personalized touches will make sure your holiday meal is an intimate event and that’s something your guests are sure to appreciate! We used our chalkboard cheese markers for our place cards.

Layer

Layering gives your décor fullness and can make your table unique. Believe it or not, our table has 3 placemats under each dinnerware setting – and a table runner! We placed the metallic leaf gold placemat (in-stores only) on top of the country poinsettia placemat and the flocon de neige placemat to give depth and variety to our table’s decor. Another way to add depth to your table is layering your dishes, which also can help you save space on your table! We added a little extra to our Regency dinnerware set by placing the poinsettia dessert plate and our red round charger plate at each place. Just be sure that each item that you layer with brings a new element to your table and that they work together and complement each other.

Your food can be your décor

This is a simple and easy way to add some joy to your table – and you’ve already done the work. At our Christmas dinner we are serving punch in our celebration punch set. It’s without a doubt a sweet way to add some cranberry red to the table.   And for dessert?   Gingerbread cookies that are decorated with green and red sugar add another delicious accent to the table. Make it even more effortless by displaying your cookies in our Amalia trifle bowl (in-store only), all you need to do is put them in! This tip will keep your guests looking forward to dessert all supper long!

You can Keep it Classic Christmas

Finally, if what your heart yearns for is to add some plaid patterns, golden touches and sprigs of greenery, don’t worry about being typical. Using these Christmas classics are tasteful ways to make your guests feel the joy of the season. Whether it’s a subtle hint of gold in the plaid of your tablecloth or in a placemat, a touch of any metallic, adds glitz and glam to your table and can help elevate the ambiance to a more formal affair. The Facet flatware set and the poinsettia hiball and wine glass are essentials for any holiday table! We used our gingerbread Christmas trees as a decorative accent to bring greenery to the center of our table and a floral arrangement with plenty of green and hints of red. We added sprigs of pine needles with our red cloth nature napkin and mother of pearl napkin ring and the result couldn’t have been merrier!  There’s no doubt, your guests will approve of your dedication to these décor traditions for the holidays.

Helping  you set your most inspirational holiday table yet,

October has come and gone and we all know what that means – the season of giving is here! Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list can be a daunting task. This year Stokes wants to help you get a head start on your gift giving – and there just might be something in it for you too!

Check out our gift giving guide below for every person on your list !

For the Tablescape Artist

Getting the details right for every occasion, while creating a welcoming and festive table, is what this gift beneficiary is all about. The Christmas Juniper Dinnerware Set helps add joyful cheer to any table and will help your Tablescape Artist set the perfect table.

For the Holiday Host 

A Holiday Host wants to make sure their spread has something for everyone. What better way to give them a gift by buying them something to help them make sure of that. The Heart Revolving Condiment set gives a party planner the ability to set out all their guests’ favorites!

For the ones who love making festive foods and seasonal sweets

For the cooks and bakers in your life, their happiness comes from other people’s enjoyment. Lend them a hand this holiday season by making sure their spice collection is on point with the Mason 16-Jar Spice Rack.

For the one who always brings the Holiday Spirits

Do you know someone who never lets a party guest go without a drink in their hand? For this lucky person on your list, it’s all about helping people enjoy the moment in a relaxed atmosphere. The 3 bottle dispensing system on our Bar Butler will them make sure everyone’s joining in on the merrymaking.

For the one who loves to brew the perfect cup

This person on your list believes a hot drink can cure all.  Whether it’s to get their day started, hearing out a friend, or with a good book in hand, something brewed should always be within reach. The Mousse Milk Frother will take their brewed experience to the next level.

For the specialty chef

The specialty chef is someone who likes to experiment. Finding the right appliance to help them make exactly what they want, how they want,  is what makes them tick. The Triple Swiss Raclette will let this person on your list grill anything to perfection.

For the one who devoted to decking the halls 

This gift recipient is easy to please, all they need is something that can add some holiday cheer to their home! Avoid clashing with decorations they already have by going with a classic and elegant look like our Rudolf’s Sleigh.

For the one who loves to snuggle up

We all know one person who would stay inside all winter if they could! This homebody knows that cold days are for cozying up with something to read or for starting a Netflix marathon. Make sure they stay warm all winter long with this Red Checkered Throw.

For the playful one

This one is for the person on your list who loves a good game and some healthy competition. Getting the whole group involved, while making the energy in the room go up a notch is what this person loves. The Drinking Roulette Game would make a perfect gift!

Here to help you get every aspect of your holiday season just right,

Here are the 5 most important things to consider when setting your table.

1) Your Guest-list

The first rule of hosting is figuring out who you are going to invite. Make a list of every person who will be attending and decided, in advance, who will be sitting where.

2) Your Colours

Choosing your colour-scheme is the first step in building the perfect Thanksgiving table. Once you’ve made your selection, you can easily build around it. You can decide to match everything together, or add hints of contrasting colour to brighten the table.

* For example, here we decided to add a hint of blue to contrast the warm colours of fall.

3) The Etiquette Of Table Setting

Here you have two options: you can either take a modern approach and freestyle, or rise to the challenge of attempting a formal setting. Here is one thing to keep in mind: different people have different tastes. Try to be open-minded and thoughtful and offer people as many options as possible!

4) Pick Your Items

Lists are your friend! Before setting your table, make a list of all the necessary items (plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery, etc.) and a separate list for all the decorative items (flowers, placemats, napkins, candles, etc.). Once you have everything ready, take your time to set each place-setting with care and precision. Don’t over-crowd your table; if you can’t sit without knocking something over, you haven’t done your job right!

5) Don’t Be Afraid to Decorate!

A beautiful table needs details, props and decorations. The more you add, the warmer and more inviting it looks. Flowers are always an option, but try to think outside the box. For Thanksgiving, we were inspired by the look and feel of autumn and used the gold harvest glass pumpkins as centrepieces.

6) Even though it isn’t a rule, it’s important to enjoy the moment.

Entertaining guests can take a lot of time, planning and energy, so stop, breathe and admire all of your hard work!

Here is a list of all the pictured items:

– Goa Red Wine Glass
– Goa White Wine Glass
– Goa Flute Glass
– Goa Martini Glass
– Goa Hiball Glass
– Retro Blue 20-pc Dinnerware Set
– Lexie Mirror Flatware Set – Service for 4
– Rectangular Serving Platter
– Sunflower Placemat – Orange
– Sunflower Placemat – Yellow
– Sunflower Centerpiece
– Gold Harvest Pumpkin – Small
– Gold Harvest Pumpkin – Large
– Gold Harvest Pumpkin – Tall

As we hop closer and closer to Easter, it’s time to start planning your springtime celebration. Easter gatherings bring your closest family and friends together around a shared table. Stokes Saturdays has put together some of our favorite tabletop items which are perfect for creating a beautiful Easter gathering in the comfort of your own home.

Easter is the perfect occasion to serve your delicious home cooked meal family style. Instead of preparing individual plates for each guest, serving family style will save you prep time and ensure that your guests are interacting with each other. No need to create a center piece for your elegant affair, our Petal White collection is crafted in glass, with white accents spun into each piece, making them unique and special. The Large Petal White Platter is the perfect serving dish for your main course and the accompanying bowls in this collection are perfect for salads, side dishes and more.

Once you and your guests have had their fill of the main course, it’s time to move to dessert. Continue serving your meal family style. With so many sweets available this time of year, be sure to have an assortment of cookies, cupcakes, macaroons and more for your guests to indulge in. The Glamour serveware collection is elegant and will surely compliment your springtime tabletop. The Glamour Footed Cake Plate should be the centerpiece of your table with a delicious cake for all guests to enjoy. For smaller, bite sized desserts use the 2-Tiered Glamour Stand. No Easter celebration is complete without an abundance of sweets!

The subtle pastel color of our Seafoam Coffee Collection will end your Easter gathering in a refreshing style. Pastel colors represent the springtime and the excitement that comes with budding trees and flowers. Fill your Seafoam mugs with coffee you brewed using a French Press. Using a French Press is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to brew delicious cups of coffee time and time again. This handy tool brings out the rich and full taste of your coffee beans that you thought could only be achieved by a barista.