Interiors by Design: Make Thanksgiving a natural celebration -- and don't forget to be thankful

Enjoyment can become secondary to the "have-to-dos" and the pressure of making everything picture-perfect.

While I can't grant you the gift of time, which is always in short supply, I can offer some suggestions on how you can celebrate more simply, be more mindful of why we celebrate, and more relaxed about the ways to do it.

For this week, let's focus on Thanksgiving. This food festival that often turns into a football and parade-watching extravaganza is one of my favorites. But unless you're still in elementary school, its history tends to be forgotten.

Refresh your memory with a new book "The Thanksgiving Ceremony: New Traditions for America's Family Feast," by Edward Bleier. This small volume documents the first feast that brought the Pilgrims and a group of Native Americans together to celebrate the harvest in 1621. It also includes inspirational pieces to be read aloud at your Thanksgiving table, from artists such as Emily Dickinson and Maya Angelou. It is a helpful reminder of why we're celebrating in the first place, and once we've put the holidays into their historical and religious perspectives, it becomes a little easier to let go of some of the more commercialized expectations and details. A succulent, memorable meal on a beautifully dressed table is what we aim for, but it is insignificant compared to the challenge of recounting all our many blessings.

With that said, let's talk about the memorable meal and table. Whether you're hosting, helping or showing up as a guest, keep these tips in mind as you celebrate the day:

* Use nature for your decorating inspiration. It is easy to decorate for Thanksgiving without spending a lot of time or money. Dress your table simply with a white or natural linen-colored cloth. Candlelight is key, even if you're dining at noon. Intersperse a generous display of mismatched candlesticks and same color candles with natural elements -- dried leaves, gourds, nuts in the shell, and more candles -- tea lights set in hollowed out baby pumpkins, apples, or squash. Use these same elements to decorate throughout the house on an entry table, sideboard or mantle.

* Use bold splashes of color. If you want to add some jazz to your dining table, bring out the jewel tones. Instead of a white cloth, break out a brilliant red, blue or emerald green. Use colored glassware and create a centerpiece of richly hued fruit, purple plums, figs, red grapes, gold and red pears, lady apples, and champagne grapes. Make sure all the fruit is washed and well-dried before displaying on a pedestal dish or in a glass bowl and encourage nibbling from the centerpiece.

* Mix and match your tabletop items. Pull out all your best service pieces and dishes, but don't worry if they match. Dessert plates that are different from the cups and saucers that you bought at a tag sale, a transferware tureen that you got from your mother-in-law, sterling mixed with your flatware -- use it all. It adds character, interest and a bit of family history to your table.

* Make sure a gift doesn't add last-minute effort for the host if you're a guest. If you're bringing a food item, whenever possible, carry it to the party already beautifully presented on a serving platter. Or bring your own special serving piece to arrange the food once you arrive.

* Before or after your meal you might have each guest state one thing they were thankful for during the year. It will make for thoughtful conversation.

Plan ahead, keep it simple, count your blessings and include others in your good fortune. This is my Thanksgiving formula. I hope it works for you and that you enjoy a wonderful holiday.

Chris Casson Madden, frequent contributor to Home & Garden Television, is also author of 16 books, including "New American Living Rooms," (Clarkson Potter Publishers, $35.)