Real Simple A Joyous Thanksgiving

GROWING UP, my Italian-American family’s Thanksgivings were completely traditional (turkey, mashed potatoes, too much pie) and utterly not (the antipasto course?). But if you think about it, my Thanksgiving couldn’t have been more American: We are pros, as a nation, at mashing up our many worlds. So, my family’s penchant for turkey plus prosciutto—on a table set with Irish linens and crystal, a favorite of my first-generation Irish mom—is a feature not a bug, according to Alexis McCrossen, PhD, a cultural historian at SMU and author of Time’s Touchstone: The New Year in American Life. Thanks to our diversity, we have “so many heritages and customs,” she says. “It is wonderful that we have a holiday in which we can all celebrate in so many different ways.” And celebrate we…

In the Entryway GIVE THE PEOPLE SOME SPACE! Clear out what you can from the coat closet or hall tree so guests have room to hang their winter hats, scarves, and puffy sleeping bags—er, jackets. MAKE YOUR SHOE STANCE CLEAR. Shoes on or off? There’s no right way; it’s up to you. If you prefer them off, tell guests and offer them socks or slippers for their comfort. Make sure you have a nearby bench or seat for easy perching. TAKE DRINK ORDERS. Travel makes everyone thirsty. Water, wine, or a cocktail can hit the spot. As you welcome your guests and they take off their coats, ask if you can get them anything. GET A SPARE KEY MADE. If your boarder will be staying for a while or you…

MANY BIG RETAILERS start Christmas in July, and the Hallmark Channel begins counting down to the holiday in mid-October. While you may not want to deck your halls the minute the leaves change color, many of us who are wild about this time of year just can’t wait to start decorating for both Thanksgiving and the December holidays. You can get your seasonal joy on right now and make your home feel special without screaming “Hanukkah” or “Christmas.” For clever ways to create a cozy holiday vibe that will take you all the way through New Year’s, we tapped Mr. Christmas himself, Benjamin Bradley, who hosts Holiday Home Makeover with Mr. Christmas on Netflix and helms the interior design firm E & Co. Home in New York City. Ahead, Bradley’s…

AS THE WEATHER GETS COLDER, gathering around the fireplace with family and friends is a must. But making this zone attractive, cozy, and festive can feel like a daunting task. “Fireplaces and mantels can be the afterthought,” says Theresa Butler, an Atlanta-based interior designer. “But you can make it really beautiful, and it can become the focal point of the room.” And you don’t need to break out or replace the mantel. Here, Butler and Jennifer Morris, a New York City–based interior designer, share their tips for making the most of the space. A Simple Formula There’s a trick to getting the right proportions. Morris recommends building out the sides of your mantel decor with taller features, then gradually sizing down as you get closer to the center of the…

Do This … Give up on the idea that the firebox will ever be entirely soot-free—it’s impossible. Every few uses, scoop the fully cooled ashes into a metal bucket. A bit of leftover ash is okay and can even help kindle your next flame. Embers can stay hot for days, so use a bucket with a tight-fitting lid to snuff out the cinders, and place the bucket on a noncombustible surface, such as a stone hearth. MONTHLY During prime season for your fireplace—typically now through February—clean off the surrounding areas at least once a month. (Soot is the devil’s glitter—it spreads.) Collect stray soot using your vacuum’s brush attachment, then wipe down the hearth with a dry soot sponge. Tackle stubborn debris on brick, stone, or tile with this method:…

Wild Side THE LOOK Relaxed and romantic. THE ELEMENTS Market-fresh mums (in lilac, pale orange, and burgundy), dahlias, and orange strawflowers. Just-picked persimmon and nandina branches, Japanese maple leaves, viburnum, and crocosmia seed heads. THE VESSEL A wide bowl on a pedestal. THE LESSON Go low and wide so it doesn’t block conversations. Table Talk THE LOOK Moroccan spice market, simplified. THE ELEMENTS Spider mums, dahlias, Blushing Bride protea, snowberries, heptacodium, pink Himalayan salt, yellow curry, whole nutmeg, and cardamom pods. THE VESSELS Dark pottery and metal vases and bowls. THE LESSON Stagger mini displays down the center of the table. Choosing a neutral palette and sticking with a single color for the flowers turns a mix of elements into a cohesive centerpiece. Still Life THE LOOK Modern and monochromatic. THE…