Inspired by the fresh color palette of the Southwest, Margaux of Harmony Creative Studio combined geometric elements and vibrant colors for a Southwest Style Thanksgiving. To brighten the days following, she included heartwarming ‘Thankful Journal” favors to share the Native American belief that we should be thankful everyday, not just on Thanksgiving!

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

• “Free floating” feather backdrop & ombre paint chip decorated “Thankful” letters
• Hot + low budget pepper crate table centerpiece
• Modern Thanksgiving Meal: salmon, wild greens, squash & Three Sisters Stew
• Bright linens, red diamond-folded napkins and contrasting square plates
• Name stamped feather place cards & paint chip embellished leftover boxes

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Margaux…

Inspired by the vibrant colors of the Southwest, the popular ‘Fiesta’ dishwear from the Homer Laughlin Company was featured, and the colors really pop against bright contrasting placemats and runners. Turning the square plates was a fresh take and we kept the geometric angles consistent with the overall theme. A low, colorful and ‘hot’ centerpiece of six different pepper varieties allowed for conversation during dinner – and made for fun conversation at the grocery store checkout line!

Tiny, hand-stamped feathers with our guests names were tucked inside small ‘Thankful Journals’ for them to take home and utilize all year, to emphasize the Native American belief that we should be ‘Thankful Everyday’, not just on Thanksgiving. Feathers were also strung as a backdrop for the buffet, the clear wire allowing them to appear free–floating.

Paint chips, free at any home improvement store, are a great way to add a dose of color. We cut them into strips and used as bands over both the small journals and colorful ‘Leftovers’ containers. They were also used to create the colorful patterns on the ‘Thankful’ sign featured above the buffet.

All of the food prepared was modern takes on what might have been offered at the first thanksgiving. Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that Turkey was the main course. Instead, the proximity to the Atlantic meant that fish was most likely the featured dish. As such, a full filet of Salmon was prepared with herbs and baked to perfection. Other dishes included wild greens (Collard, Mustard and Red Chard) cooked with onion and garlic, a medley of acorn squash and heirloom tomatoes and our favorite: ‘Three Sisters Stew’.

One of the agricultural techniques the Native American tribes shared with the Pilgrims was ‘Companion Farming’, where squash, corn and beans (the ‘Three Sisters’) were planted close together in order to thrive. These three ingredients pair wonderfully with onion, celery, cilantro, chile powder and lime to create a fresh take on this traditional palette.