With families wanting to share time together genuinely connecting rather than simply opening presents, Professional Service Gifts are all the rage these days. Professional Service Gifts offer the receiver more free time to focus on what really matters to them, whatever that may be. As a Professional Service provider myself, my work specifically supports the connections my clients desire to have with their families and I am passionate about creating more time for them to do just. I am thrilled when people purchase time with me for their loved one.

There is no doubt in my mind that I will love your friend and I can help her with her space, but purchasing a gift like this for someone else requires a bit more soul searching for the giver. Broken down to its core, what you are essentially purchasing for another person is the experience of inviting a stranger into their home to delve into a personal aspect of their life. This definitely isn’t for everyone. No one likes their vulnerabilities highlighted. (I know that I don’t!)

If you are considering purchasing a gift of consulting with me for your family member, colleague or friend simply be mindful of who you purchase a gift like this for and play the exchange out in your head beforehand.

YOUR INTENTION: “I love my friend. She is always saying how she wants to be more organized and wants to refresh her living room. This gift will support her, get her started and ultimately give her less anxiety about her space and fill her life with joy.” [All true, I might add.]

YOUR FRIEND’S POTENTIAL RESPONSE: “Thanks so much…um….yeah, this is really thoughtful. I see why you got me this because I have talked about it. So, they will be coming to my house??” [anxiety, vulnerability,nerves ensue]

See what happened there? Your intention was awesome, but it kind of backfired because your friend wasn’t really ready to delve into this yet. People’s homes are very personal to them and inviting someone in to help them with design and organization can be tough.

Do not misunderstand, purchasing a gift for consulting with a Home Stylist, like me or a Wardrobe Consultant, Makeup Artist or even a Cleaning Service are incredibly thoughtful, generous gifts. You are amazing to even consider something so creative. However, just make sure they are open to this before you spend a considerable amount of money on something that they may not use.

I hope these thoughts help support you in your gift giving this year and if my business is on your list I look forward to hearing from you.

More holiday decorating tips, tricks, and DIY projects to share throughout the month. Stay Close!

You’ll soon come to learn that I am kind of a wreath fanatic. I am not exactly sure when this happened, but I love them. This tutorial provides you detailed instructions for how to make your very own holiday wreath. Embellish as you see fit for your own home.

Ribbon

Select whatever you like. I prefer wire edged because it’s bendy and will stay put.

Fastener

Floral wire is the legit way to do this, but I didn’t have any and I am impatient so I used twist ties I had in the kitchen.

Wreath

This one happens to be real, but it doesn’t have to be.

Step 1

Darn, I forgot to tell you that you need scissors…go grab a pair - I will wait. Now, cut a piece of ribbon a few inches long. Bend it in half and secure a twist tie tightly around it once or twice.

Step 2

Select a location that you like on the wreath and secure the remaining end of the twist tie around the branch. Try to place it far enough in that you do not see the fastener.

Step 3

Pouf out {very technical terminology} the ribbon with your fingers. {Repeat steps 1-3 for as many pieces as you would like on your wreath}

Step 4

Bottom of Bow: Cut a piece of ribbon twice as long as you would like the tails of the bow to be. Example: For 3 “ tails cut the ribbon at 6”. {Truth, I did not do this, I just cut a longer piece} Next, fold the ribbon end to end with the open end facing up.

Step 5

Create Cute Edge: Fold the ribbon in half long ways

Step 6

Cut from an inch or two down the folded edge on a diagonal up to the corner of the open edges

Step 7

Open it up…voila! Nicely done.

Step 8

Secure tails of bow the same way you did with everything else you have attached previously

Step 9

Make hills and valleys with your ribbon making sure to hold onto the bottom of each valley as you create how you want your bow to look. I decided I just wanted a simple, traditional bow. Since you have already secured the bottom of the bow to the wreath you do not need to allow any extra ribbon to hang down. Simply cut at the bottom of the last valley and secure with twist tie. {you may need a larger one for this because it gets thick. Also, be sure to twist it tightly}

Step 10

Fasten the top of the ribbon a little bit over the tails so that it looks like one piece.

Step 11

Admire your work. Great job. Go hang it up! If there is not already a loop in the back for hanging you can use an over door hook specifically designed for holding wreaths or add a small piece of ribbon or rope around the top.

SET YOUR TABLE BEFORE GUESTS ARRIVE

If you are hosting a number of guests it may take longer than you think. Allow yourself enough time so that you are not rushing this at the end. A well planned table is a happy table!  Don’t worry if everything doesn’t match. No one cares. Everyone is just happy that you are hosting and not them! [If you’ve never set a table before just follow the simple template included]

BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT SEATING ARRANGEMENTS

Taking a few extra minutes to plan out where people will sit at your table is an appropriate and helpful detail for family and friends who may not interact very often throughout the year.

As the hostess, you will be able to place people strategically and create a balanced flow for the meal.

Considerations for seating arrangements include.

• Optimal conversation

• Seating guests apart who do not jive well together.

• Placing your fabulous left handed guests where they won’t bump others [me!]

• Being aware of accommodations for (wheelchairs, high chairs, hearing aids)

Centerpiece

Do not pressure yourself to create an elaborate tablescape. If you are new to the table setting game, low and simple is way better in the long run. After all, the meal is about the food and the conversation.

If you have kids, it is also fun to get them involved in the meal without having them actually have their little hands in the food. Not only will this occupy them for a few minutes, but they can talk about their creation at dinner and will feel great knowing they contributed to making the meal so special. Win-Win!

DIY Simple Centerpiece for your Kids

• Empty glass vase

• Snag some leaves, branches, twigs from outside

• Fill up the glass vase with the outdoor elements

• Place in center or in a line down the center of your table

• When done, open door and empty the vase back outside

  Voila!

Clean Up

People do not always agree with me on this one, but my feeling is to not rush to clean up. Enjoy yourself and relax. You have been cooking all day.  If your guests start taking items to the kitchen you can absolutely stay seated and simply say “Thank you!”

Even with specific instructions regarding washing your china, etc….it is also completely acceptable to allow your guests to manage the entire cleanup. “Too many cooks in the kitchen” only applies to the cooking. With cleanup “many hands [that are not yours] make light work!”

It is also admissible to inform your children ahead of time that they are responsible for clearing the table after the meal which allows guests to remain seated.  Then when a guest does rise to clear you simply say “Oh I insist you sit, Sue -  Rue and Julie are in charge of clearing.” [my mother was a big fan of this one for years!]

If you follow these four simple Table Tips for your Thanksgiving table, I guarantee that your guests will be appreciative of your thoughtfulness.

“gobble gobble”