| Thanksgiving dinner is a great time to gather family | | | | from afar, you may want to contact florists close to |
| and friends in celebration. Hosting Thanksgiving dinner | | | | your destination to see what they offer and when |
| can be very stressful and require a lot of hard work. | | | | they will be able to deliver it or if you can pick it up. |
| If you find yourself lucky enough to be invited to | | | | - Centerpieces: Centerpieces geared for the |
| Thanksgiving dinner at a friend or families home, you | | | | thanksgiving holiday are often filled with rich colored |
| should consider offering a gift to show your | | | | gourds, pumpkins, and multi colored dry mini-corn. If |
| appreciation for the time and effort that was put | | | | your host and or their family have allergies or if you |
| into the meal. Here are some great gifts that will | | | | want to give a gift that doesn't require much care, |
| celebrate the season and show how thankful you are | | | | these autumn centerpieces are great and will last |
| for a great meal you didn't have to prepare. | | | | awhile with little if any maintenance. Feel free to |
| Wine | | | | include an autumn infused candle to compliment your |
| Wine is a great gift to bring along for Thanksgiving | | | | arrangement. |
| dinner. It can be opened and enjoyed with the meal | | | | Gift Basket |
| or your host can save the bottle to drink at their | | | | Everyone loves a gift basket. Gift baskets offer you |
| leisure. Most hosts will recognize the gift of wine as | | | | the chance to please several members of the family |
| an addition to their well prepared meal and will open it | | | | with great holiday foods. Base the contents of your |
| that day, so it's important to choose a wine that will | | | | gift basket on what your hosts enjoy most. There |
| compliment a turkey dinner. If you're merely along for | | | | really is no limit to what you can put in your gift |
| the dinner ride, then I suggest bringing two wines, | | | | baskets. Many gourmet companies offer premade |
| one red and one white, however, the decision is up | | | | gift baskets that your guest will love, but here are a |
| to you and your budget | | | | few suggestions. |
| - Reds: While red wines generally go well with dark | | | | - Coffees/Teas: Coffee and Tea baskets are great |
| meats, their rich appearance and taste tend to be | | | | way to give your hosts a gourmet gift that will wake |
| popular around the holidays. Choose a red wine that | | | | them up in the morning and help them drift off to |
| is on the lighter side and has berry undertones. A | | | | sleep in the evening. I suggest choosing a medium |
| great wine pairing for your holiday turkey is Pinot | | | | roast coffee that you know they will like as well as a |
| Noir. Look for a Pinot Noir that is light to medium | | | | holiday infused coffee. You can choose tea the same |
| bodied and boast of cherry, raspberry or currant | | | | way. If your budget allows, add at least two coffee |
| flavors. It's best to stay away from full bodied reds | | | | mugs and some tea biscuits or biscotti to complete |
| like Cabernet Sauvignons. | | | | your gift. |
| - Whites: White wines compliment Thanksgiving | | | | - Wines and Cheese: A wine and cheese baskets can |
| dinner with a crisp and refreshing taste that often | | | | be an excellent gift for your hosts to share on a |
| goes well with all the warm and spicy sides you find | | | | quiet, cozy night at home, or for a small intimate |
| on a festive table. When choosing a white wine for | | | | gathering. Include both red and white wines as well as |
| the occasion, look for one that is dry. Most experts | | | | cheeses that compliment those wines. Depending on |
| suggest a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc as a | | | | your budget you may want to consider including a |
| Thanksgiving food pairing. | | | | cheese cutting board and a variety of crackers. |
| Flower/Centerpiece | | | | - Sweets of the Seasons: If your hosts have a |
| Sometimes people feel that flowers are over done, | | | | sweet tooth, consider opting for a gift basket full of |
| clichéd, and just kind of corny. Occasionally | | | | gourmet chocolates, marzipan treats, and cookies. |
| this is true but fall bouquets and centerpieces are | | | | You can mix and match different sweets to make |
| absolutely beautiful and really compliment any room. | | | | sure that everyone in the house has something they |
| - Bouquets: Choose flowers in deep reds, oranges, | | | | like. It's important to consider any dietary needs your |
| yellows, and purples for the perfect holiday bouquets. | | | | host may have and give a gift accordingly. If they |
| Popular flower choices are Asiatic Lilies, Carnations, | | | | are on a strict diet you may want to opt for a |
| Sunflowers, and Chrysanthemums. If you're visiting | | | | different gift. |