thanksgiving

Thankful Hearts

It is November, and for many of us it’s a time for reflection, being grateful, and thinking about our many blessings. During this season many families will gather around a Thanksgiving table and spend time sharing things that they are thankful for. This is wonderful – focusing on the positives in our lives rather than the negatives is important, and we as humans don’t practice thankfulness enough.

As we approach this season of thankfulness, our team at Help You Dwell wants you to know our hearts are overflowing with gratitude and love for you, our clients and friends. We are overjoyed that so many of you have allowed our team members into your homes during the past year. We have laughed with you, cried with you, celebrated with you, and hopefully served each of you well.

Our Thankful Team

We hope you can set aside some time to pause and reflect on your many blessings during this season of thankfulness. Take time to tell those that you love how much they mean to you. You mean so much to our team and we have truly been blessed by helping you.

There’s no better time than now to get started organizing your home to help create an environment that brings you peace and happiness. Remember, bringing calm and order to your home is a process. We are happy to help you along the way, no matter what challenging situation or complicated transition you may be facing.

CALL US AT 865.245.9080 OR BOOK OUR SERVICES HERE!

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Ideas for an Organized + Meaningful Thanksgiving

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Before you get overwhelmed or let another list of ideas make you feel like you aren't doing "enough"... we're sharing these tips to bring just a little additional function or fun to your Thanksgiving, but it doesn't have to be complicated. There is something very sacred and special about welcoming guests, family and friends into your home with as minimal fuss as possible. The hospitable act of opening your door, your table, your kitchen, your heart and your family is not to be taken lightly. Give yourself some grace. And if you are the one visiting someone else's home, go with gratitude. What if you chose not to get caught up in the expensive decor, fancy fixings, or newest trends this year? We challenge you to make a little commitment to yourself and whoever you are gathering with - that you will simply be grateful to gather, and the rest is all secondary. 

Our ideas to bring functionality + fun to your Thanksgiving:

Image from The Pretty Blog.

Image from The Pretty Blog.

  • Turn up the tunes. Make a family mix playlist on Spotify, so that everyone gets to hear a few of their current favorite songs. Or you can pick a genre or artist that everyone will love and have it playing in the background all day.

  • No Phone Zone. What if you and your guests all put your phones away (silenced and in another room) during your meal? Consider how this could eliminate distractions and foster togetherness at your table.

  • Take your feast outside. If the weather allows, shift your Thanksgiving meal outside - embrace the crisp fall air and a change of scenery. Ask your guests to bring camping chairs and set up a fire to enjoy after the feast. This will allow time to linger and savor the day a little longer. This blog post is an incredible inspiration for your outdoor Thanksgiving.

  • If you have help, take it. Don't try to be a superhero - let your people pitch in and give you a hand.

  • Walk it out. If you can find just 20 minutes, grab a neighbor or loved one in town and step away from the kitchen and enjoy fresh air and company for a brief break. If you enjoy your Thanksgiving meal for lunch, this is a great idea for the whole gang after the meal. Get your body moving for just a bit, you might even enjoy that pumpkin pie a little more if you do.

Links we're loving: 

Image from The Pretty Blog.

Image from The Pretty Blog.

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hosting for the holidays

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Image from Remain Simple blog.

Image from Remain Simple blog.

21 days til Thanksgiving! That reality might cause you excitement, panic or any feeling in between. We want to encourage a spirit of "intentionality" instead of "perfection" this holiday season. Think about being a guest in your own home this year: what do you notice, how did you feel, what was the focus? We're sharing a few practical and thoughtful ideas to create an intentional holiday gathering this week. 

Intention: your guests will see it, taste it, feel it and enjoy it. 

While there are so many moving pieces to coordinate for the Thanksgiving meal to be ready, one thing you can have prepared ahead of time for guests to enjoy upon arrival is a festive cocktail. Make it in a large batch so you aren't spending time making individual mixed drinks. Don't forget to mix up a batch without alcohol. Take a look at this recipe. 

Image from The Kitchn blog.

Image from The Kitchn blog.

In order to plan well, the host needs to know the amount of people they'll be serving. Send a text or email out 2 weeks in advance to get an accurate number of guests. Take a look at this helpful chart about servings and quantities for the size of your group. 

Don't go crazy with seasonal decor. Less is more! Instead of shopping for hours for the "perfect" centerpiece or tablecloth, look outside. Bring some natural elements in to create a rustic and welcoming table. Include your kids as you gather leaves, branches, or greenery from your yard. Lighting and natural elements will create a warm and inviting ambiance for your table. 

If you prefer a later Thanksgiving meal, someone is sure to be hungry before meal time. Whether it be your children, new acquaintances or yourself- these cranberry brie mini tarts are a beautiful appetizer that won't require additional dishes or silverware to serve and enjoy. If cooking one more thing feels like an unbearable burden, grab some cheese & crackers and have these out to snack on. 

Image from Fox and Briar blog.

Image from Fox and Briar blog.

Shift the focus outward. Your Thanksgiving table can be the launching point for a group investment in a local cause. There are so many ways to give back in our community. Take a look at this list of specific avenues to give of yourself this holiday season in Knoxville.

With just a pencil and paper, your feast can get a lot richer. Challenge your family or friends to take a moment to write out the things you are thankful for. If you want to go a little deeper, try sharing one or two of your items on your list. Gratitude begets gratitude and the thoughts shared around the table will create memories and meaningful moments.

Share your favorite Thanksgiving decor ideas, organizational tools, and traditions with us. How does your family or community celebrate?  

The Thankful List

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than to make a list of the many things we are thankful for. Here are each of our top 5.

Caroline's list:

Photo by Knox Heritage

Photo by Knox Heritage

1. My Knoxville Community. I'm thankful for my neighborhood, the kids down the street that stop by to say hello, the older gentleman that always waves when I walk by, and the neighbors that we have shared meals and stories with. I'm thankful for a downtown that is creative and encourages new businesses, the farmers market, and local festivals. I'm thankful for my church which is made up of a mess of humans that hurt each other but strive to confess and repent and live life together. I'm thankful for a city that feels like home to me.

2. This sermon. Daryl Arnold from OBC in East Knoxville preached at our church on November 17th and I basically cried through the whole thing. Thank God (literally) that I don't have to work my way into a relationship with Him.

Photo by Katie Norrell

Photo by Katie Norrell

3. A home and a family. After working in the social work field for several years I often think of the many neighbors we have in our city who spend their nights on park benches and in tents. Many of these people are estranged from their families and holidays just become another day of the year to them. I'm thankful for a husband and family that love me in spite of myself.

4. Good Health. I have a few friends and family members that have chronic health problems and illnesses and it has made me much more mindful of how thankful I am to be in good health. I've watched as people I love have struggled with the most humbling grace and rawness and have watched in amazement at the beauty that seems to accompany brokenness.

5. The ability to make money doing something I love. It is uncommon in our world to have the opportunity to do what you love for a living. I still kind of can't believe that Taryn and I get to work together to organize, stage, decorate and meet amazing people along the way. What a privilege! 

Taryn's list:

1.  My family's health.  Matt, my kids, myself & both sets of our parents are alive & very healthy.  I am so grateful my kids get to know their grandparents & that Matt & I get to be active & involved in our kids lives.

2.  My people.  The close circle of women, men & children that I get to love & be loved by brings me to tears weekly, if not daily.  I am thankful that I am known & cared for by so many.

3.  Hope.  No matter the circumstances, this one word has carried me beyond what I could've imagined.  I'm thankful for a husband who never gives up, friends who remind me of my purpose & a God who calls me His.

4.  East Tennessee.  This place I get to live just continues to fill me with wonder, awe & curiosity.  The people, the artisans, the hills, the food, the rivers, the music, the art, the history - I am thankful to be a Volunteer.

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5.  Help You Dwell.  I have been blown away by my experience with HYD.  Any creativity that has been buried in me now has an outlet as part-owner of this little business & I just love it.  We have so much room to grow & the ground is fertile.  I am thankful.