A few weeks ago on Instagram, I mentioned that I’d be posting a hydrangea wreath making tutorial. I had good intentions. Unfortunately, I’m suffering from election exhaustion combined with some serious pandemic induced inertia. Oh, and how could I forget? There’s also the household disaster. My entire dining room (ie, my workroom) was destroyed by a pipe fitting that broke and caused a tremendous flood. A new pipe fitting, I might add. So my supplies were ruined, and the room has since been opened up and is awaiting reconstruction. Hence, there will be no hydrangea wreath making tutorial. Instead, I’d like to take time in this post to give you some thoughts about Thanksgiving. And maybe share a picture or two of what a 200+ year old house looks like when it’s opened up right down to the lathing.

Simplicity

This is a time of great uncertainty and stress for everyone. There’s no way around it. So, though I’m of the mind that, yes, we need pretty things to bring cheer and light, I’m also equally inclined to think that we need to acknowledge that it’s ok to step back and take the simple route when it comes to holiday celebrations and decorating this year.

Front Porch Containers

As you can see below, I went simple and almost somber with my front porch urns this fall. I just wasn’t feeling “color.” That’s ok! And guess what? I left my window boxes bare. Nothing but dirt. For the first time in 17 years. And that’s ok, too. If you were able to do yours and decorate with color and cool elements, that’s great. But if you have done (much) less than that, don’t beat yourself up.

In addition to not having gone all out on my front porch urns this year, I didn’t bother to sweep. Nor, apparently, did I bother to wipe off of the entry any of the dust or dirt that has accumulated through the months of 2020. It is what it is. And … — In addition to not having gone all out on my front porch urns this year, I didn’t bother to sweep. Nor, apparently, did I bother to wipe off of the entry any of the dust or dirt that has accumulated through the months of 2020. It is what it is. And I happen to love the green against the yellow and white of the house. Simple and pretty, yet also suitably understated for our times. ©BetsyGibsonDesign

Indoor Florals:

Suitably Simple and 2020 Foolproof

Again, if you’re like me--and you’ve already seen my front porch urns for this fall, so you know--you really won’t feel like putting a whole lot of effort into Thanksgiving. But you’ll still want it to be nice for your family at home and for those family members you’ll be seeing on Zoom.

Here are a few ways to make your table suitably simple and 2020 foolproof.

Go simple with white snowball pumpkins and/or mini white pumpkins with some seasonal greens on the side. Eucalyptus is nice, but Magnolia is also pretty. You could also combine Eucalyptus, Magnolia and Cabbage with your pumpkins for a “heftier” looking centerpiece.

Because we have an antique French farmhouse table, I could go super casual and not even bother with a table covering. There’s a lot to be said for that this year…©BetsyGibsonDesign

2. If you’re feeling ambitious….this may be a little 2019 on the ambition scale, but if you’ve got it in you, go for it! This design contains white snowball pumpkins, air plants, dried oregano, dried lotus pods, dried ball thistle and dried mushrooms. Oh, yes. And dried moss. It’s easy to put this sort of design together, it’s just a matter of whether you feel like dealing with trying to ferret out the dried elements. Some of them might not even be available at your farmer’s market this year. In fact, I asked the manager at the farm I like to frequent about various dried elements that I like to use year in and year out, and he told me that they’d ordered very little of their dried *and* fresh florals for this year. So even if you’re up to the task, you may be thwarted by lack of materials.

If you’re inclined to put a bit of effort in this year…One of my 2019 designs. It includes snowball pumpkins, air plants, moss, dried oregano, dried globe thistle and dried mushrooms. ©BetsyGibsonDesign

3. If you’re not interested in using three different types of foliage, and if the thought of putting an actual design together makes you ill, well….there’s always the easiest way out. Which I’ll be taking this year. Three cabbage roses in a container, accompanied by a snowball pumpkin on the side. Depending on the size of your table, you could do one to several of these little beauties and feel as festive as 2020 allows. You’ll still be enjoying the colors and the textures of the season, but you’ll be better able to focus on those for whom you are thankful.

So simple, yet so utterly seasonal!! Cabbage roses and white snowball pumpkins. Done! ©BetsyGibsonDesign

4. And finally, for those who just cannot, there’s always the non-seasonal easy way out. White Hydrangeas in a container of your choice. Just cut the stems, strip the lower leaves and drop into your water. Done. And pretty!