Southern Lady Autumn Celebrations 2014

Fall leaves, pumpkins (to carve and to bake with), Halloween costumes, tailgating food, and crisper, cooler temps—these are the things I love about fall! When there are so many great reasons to enjoy this season, it is really hard to choose just one. I can tell when autumn is on its way in my area. The leaves begin their beautiful color transformation, and you can smell an aroma in the air that makes you want to unpack sweaters and get ready for Halloween. I love wearing a costume. (You are never too old!) One of my fondest childhood memories of this special day is of me dressing as a witch. My mother let me wear green makeup and put a little black dot on my nose to resemble a wart. I’ve…

What better way to celebrate fall than by hosting a Halloween party? You’ll surely find yourself in festive spirits as you get creative with spooky décor and tasty treats. Start by sending the perfect invitation. Make sure to include all pertinent information so everyone will know what type of fun to expect. You don’t want to leave your guests questioning whether they should or should not dress in costume. Also, be clear whether children are welcome or not. Consider having a kid-friendly party to make it easier for parents to attend. With interactive games, yummy treats, and great party favors, the little ones won’t want to leave. Set the scene with appropriate lighting. You don’t want your guests feeling as if they are in a dark, haunted house. Make sure high-traffic areas…

AUTUMN INSPIRED The patterns on these paper products from Hester & Cook always put a smile on my face. From the table setting place cards to the beautiful bird designs on the note cards, each piece offers a fresh look for the season. See the selection at hesterandcook.com. HARVEST FARE Mix fall décor into your appetizer platter by using hollowed-out acorn squash as serving dishes. To make these, cut the tops off three squash, scoop out the seeds, and then clean out each one thoroughly. Serve hummus, marinated mushrooms, and a mixture of feta cheese and olives in each homemade bowl. SILVERWARE STORAGE Create a charming flatware holder by hollowing out the center of a colorful pumpkin. Place a glass cylinder in the hole, and add forks, knives, and spoons. Wrap jute around part of…

SEASONAL ADORNMENT Instead of flowers for your focal point, display a pumpkin on a rustic cake stand. Surround the stand with other gourds in varying shapes, sizes, and colors. LAYERED DÉCOR A new use for your serveware! To create an autumn accent piece, fill a three-tiered stand with miniature pumpkins in shades of green, white, and orange. RUSTIC DISPLAY Fit as many miniature pumpkins and gourds as you can into a glass lantern. Then place a few outside the container to enhance the appearance of your outdoor tablescape. COUNTRY BASKET Bring elements of the countryside into your fall décor. Toss pumpkins into a large, seasonal basket, and complete the look with foliage, pinecones, and maize.…

create the look ✓ Move away from the traditional fall color palette by bringing in white tones for a clean and simple look. Use natural elements to maintain a stylish autumn tablescape. ✓ Place large, white pumpkins on square cake stands, and surround each with light and airy baby’s breath. Continue the theme by adorning the table with miniature pumpkins and other gourds. ✓ Let place-card holders serve double duty as edible takeaways for your guests. Fill Mason jars with a sweet treat like white chocolate–covered pretzels, and place a piece of burlap over each one. Secure the lid, and attach a handwritten name tag to each jar with a strand of jute. ✓ At each place setting, put a homemade flatware holder. To make, cut a strip of burlap, and fold over, creating…

create th e look Make the dinner festive with a seasonal color palette suitable for all ages and both genders. (We chose natural colors with an accent of gold for our fall birthdays.) ✓ Bring subtle pattern to the table setting with linens, like this printed leaf design from Sferra. ✓ Keep decorations simple—sometimes the birthday cake can serve as your centerpiece. ✓ Make birthday hats for use as place cards. Download the template at celebratemag.com⁄ party-art. Then, using kraft paper, cut out and secure the edges with tape. Attach gold-glitter letters to spell out guests’ names, and glue a gold pom-pom to each hat. ✓ For small, additional decorative touches, incorporate greenery and candles. ✓ Pick gift wrap and bows that complement each other. Arranged on a table, the presents can add to the celebratory…