Hey, Sweet Friend — can you feel it?

We’re in full-on cozy mode now. This is where hosting becomes a little bit magic — the flicker of candlelight, a favorite playlist (I've curated a Thanksgiving Days list for y'all!), the sound of glasses clinking and laughter spilling across the table. Here are a few of my favorite ways to make your home feel like the warm hug everyone’s craving this time of year.

🛍️ Things I’m Loving

Okay, y'all. I'm going to get very real with you: I cannot talk politics with my family. It ends in heated debates and frustration that isn't necessary. To help mitigate the talk from swaying into the Deep End, I love using conversation cards. It focuses your conversation, but also gives you open-ended ways of knowing your people better and better.

Night Cap Cards — pull a few and ask the table. Simple questions that help keep your conversation moving, but also open the door to getting to know your people better. I'd love to know what movie my family thinks closely relates to their lives!

Dinner Dares — these cheeky little (gorgeous!) cards have been out of stock for years! And they’re finally back! I’m so excited. I used these at my New Year’s Tini Weenie party, and everyone LOVED it.

Rechargeable Flameless Taper Candles — Y’all, I love an unscented candle. It makes your entire table have this ambiance you can’t replicate. But! One year, when I had a lot going on with the centerpieces… a magnolia branch caught on fire. So, when I have a table filled with “flammable” items, I use the fake candles! I’ve been searching for rechargeable ones, and these look like a great option! I have this set of various ones. We buy them at Sam’s Club for a song, and while you do need to use batteries, they’re just lovely.

🪩 Hosting Tips

🕯️ Speaking of candles, if you’re using real ones, use unscented. No one wants to smell the gorgeous Capri candle with their turkey and gravy…

🥣 Choose serving dishes now and label them with sticky notes. (Hopefully you’ve already done this! If you haven’t, I’m adding it to your list.)

🎀 Iron napkins while you watch your favorite show.

🧊 When you do go to set your table, if you need to iron the tablecloth, try this trick: Add your tablecloth to your dryer, and toss in a cup full of ice cubes. Turn her on high for 20 minutes, and your tablecloth will come out fluffed and ready for your table!

💌 A Note from Me

Hosting is sensory — sound, scent, sight. The little details you prepare now will make your guests feel the love on Thanksgiving Day. I like to do a couple of sensory things as I’m preparing my home for any gathering.

I walk into my home as if I’m the guest… I make notes of what I see, what I need to shift, etc. How can I make my people feel immediately welcome? Next, I’ll sit down at the table (this is after I’ve set it!)… Can I see every person’s face and not a floral arrangement or candle, etc? A good rule of thumb when you’re setting your table: nothing higher than your wrist when your elbow is on the table.

That was a lot of tips, y’all! ((As I’m writing this, I’m making a separate list of “Oh! I should share that with the whole world…”))

Keep it cozy, keep it glowing, and don’t you dare burn the magnolia,

xo, Ashley 🕯️