This post and giveaway are brought to you by Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.
Most of us are going to be doing some type of holiday entertaining in the next few weeks and I thought I’d share how I think about setting our table and incorporate some items I found at Pier 1, Fifteen years ago, my husband and I registered at Pier 1 for our dishes and we still love and use some of the pieces we received.
First, before you go out shopping, take a little inventory of what you have. I didn’t have chargers or place mats or cloth napkins, those were on the top of my list to look for.
Only the finest glassware for my family, right? We are not fancy folk, as much as I like beautiful stemware, the mason jars serve us just fine, we can in corporate those in with the new stuff.
The most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for items for your holiday table is VERSATILITY. It’s tempting to spend a lot of money on big beautiful Christmas Trees or Golden Turkey’s on stands but those are one trick ponies. First, put your money where it can work for you all year around, for all sorts of occasions, that’s one of the things I like about Pier 1, their items are unique enough to be interesting but traditional enough to be timeless.
It was no surprise that I found everything I needed to set my table. I already had white dishes so that was my starting point–whatever you have that you need to use is your starting point.
Then I added a runner I found at a thrift store {texture} rustic basket style chargers/place mats from Pier 1 {super texture and versatility}, my white dishes, and thrifted wooden bowls.
I also found these sweet ric rac trimmed white napkins. No turkeys or poinsettias on my napkins, if I’m spending money {ok even gift card money} I want to spend it on something I can use for Easter and New Years and all the other occasions.
I also found something I didn’t expect. Napkin rings. Feather napkin rings. I’ve never even used napkin rings before but I loved the height and unexpectedness that these added to my table. Plus, when we don’t use them, I can pile them into a white vase and they look like a huge bouquet of feathers.
See, here they are all piled into the centerpiece. By the way, that oval dish right there is one of the items we registered for and still use. Let’s talk centerpiece for a moment. You don’t have to be all elaborate to have something pretty.
I used a Pier 1 white footed bowl, one of their chunky candles and nuts and feathers that I had. I’ve been on the hunt for this scalloped footed bowl for ages. I first saw it at Angela’s Cottage…
She filled it with watermelon and I can’t imagine anything that wouldn’t look lovely served in this bowl. Plus it was only $20.
It’s such a pretty centerpiece and, I can use it for many things during each season.
I also found a few sprigs of wintry branches {Pier 1 had lots of branch type items to choose from}. I cut the glass tile looking one apart and put it in the centerpiece to make it more wintry.
So, things to remember as you think about your table:
Layer, use texture, incorporate what you have and then shop for useful, versatile items that will work for all seasons. And while you are at Pier 1, you can also drop off your Toys for Tots donation.
Plus, three of you are going to win your own $50 gift card to Pier 1. Might I suggest a few of my favorite items?
Leave a comment and tell me something you’ve bought from Pier 1 before. For a second chance to win you can tweet with a link to this post make sure to use the hashtag: #Pier_1_Imports
I used to live a block away from a Pier 1 & so I was a frequent shopper…always stocking up on candles, candle holders, place mats, serving pieces, vases, gifts, pillows, and more! Since we moved a few years ago, I don’t make it there as much, but I miss it because I love their style. Oh, I have a funky accent wall mirror from there that we still love!
I’d love to have a good reason to do some Christmas shopping there…and winning a gift card sure would help!
Thanks for a fun giveaway!
I bought cobalt blue stemware from Pier1 years ago … bought it for my mom’s birthday because she loves blue. Those beautiful blue glasses have been used for every holiday since! Thanks so much for a lovely giveaway! (I can be reached at greatnarf [at] gmail [dot] com)
Iron scones that hold candles for my dining room. I was in there about a month ago and saw tons of things that I loved.
I recently bought at Pier 1 the most wonderful extra large red garden lanterns that I will use on my front porch for upcoming Christmas parties filled with multiple height candles and greens in the bottom. I am so excited about these. The glass comes out, so later on if I get tired of the color the lanterns can always be painted another color!
Your blog is such a blessing and inspiration to me. You have inspired me through scripture you’ve shared and how you decorate to be content with what I have and to always look at ways to repurpose what I have. I too LOVE to decorate, but sometimes don’t have the budget I wish I could to do all the things I dream of. Are you sure you are not the Proverbs 31 woman?
God bless and Happy Thanksgiving!-
Oh how I love Pier 1! I got a canvas print art there that I just love. Also, 2 pillows for my living room, candles for my patio, a few yummy reed diffusers, 2 living room lamps, and the occasional dish and picture frame. So see….again, I just love Pier 1!
I purchased some fall pillows for my couch at Pier 1 that I just love!
I have bought stockings, ornaments and place mats there. I love that store!!!!
Love the idea of non-themey stuff. Never understood plates with turkeys and snowmen that would just be covered up with food and only used once a year.
Glad you found the scalloped bowl. Mine was a hostess gift from my momma for the 60th bday weekend we had at the cottage for her. I love it!
I’ve bought the most wonderful smelling candles at Pier One…specifically a big box of pumpkin spice tealights that I look forward to lighting all year!
Love Pier 1 Christmas ornaments…all of them.
A few years ago I bought a super cute ornament that hangs on my tree. It’s a really unique ball, and I love it!
I love Pier One! I have bought wine glasses and outdoor lanterns from there! I love to just walk around in there and see what new items they have!!
The last thing I bought from Pier 1 was a bunch of long-stemmed water-lilies for a Monet-themed retirement party I was working on. They were just what I needed!
Your table looks wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
rosemills (at) bex (dot) net
Candles, a wicker hamper, I’m sure some pillows…gifts, you name it! LOVE that store!
I can always find pillows at Pier 1- love the pillows!
I actually have that same white ruffle serving bowl and I absolutely LOVE it! So elegant and it makes a statement. I could spend hours in Pier 1!
I love Pier 1! We registered there when we got married too. We have beautiful plates and bowls, napkins, and a table runner from Pier 1 that we’ve been using for 9 years now!
The best thing I ever bought at Pier One is a bedspread from some faraway land. I used it on the bed for awhile, and now it’s in rotation as a sofa cover or chair cover when I want to change things up in the living room.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
Love Pier 1. We registered there when we married and we buy gifts there all the time. For others. And myself. And more for myself. : )
My favorite thing I recently bought at Pier 1 is a brightly colored owl ornament for an ornament swap!! I wish I’d bought 2 now!! My daughter bought a beautiful beaded pillow there too! Happy Thanksgiving, Nester! Your table is beautiful!!
Where would I start? Love Pier 1! So many great items :)
I bought some pillows and candles there before! Great store. Love your table.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I tweeted! @beneathmyheart
Last year I bought my step mom the cutest little table top bird feeder at pier 1! They are always good for a couple Christmas gifts!
twittered!
I bought a desk there a while back which I still love. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Just bought a basket and a rug there. I love Pier1!
Pier One is great for linens(especially napkins!) and candles. Happy Thanksgiving!
I LOVE Pier 1. I’ve gotten almost all of my placemats & napkins there, and tons of candles. I NEED those feather napkin rings. Would love to win that gift card! Happy Thanksgiving!
I bought some white ceramic dishes from Pier I 7 years ago when my husband and I first moved in together. They were on clearance so I bought the set. They are my absolute favorite dishes! Love them and love them even more that they were a fabulous price!
Love Pier 1! I have purchased ornaments there over the last several years, and I love to walk through the store, it is always inspiring
Lovely napkin rings! I have bought several baskets from Pier 1 over the years!
Hmmm…I’ve bought napkins and placemats, aprons, wreaths, candles, the list goes on. I just love a beautifully styled table. Thanks on this beautiful day of Thanksgiving!
Nester, although i have viewed your blog for a while now i’ve never responded. If you’re anything like me, words of affirmation are nice every now and again so… just wanted to say thanks for taking time out of your busy mommy day to blog about your passion for hospitality and making your home a welcoming place for family, friends and strangers. I, like you, am on a limited budget and “home decor” tends to fall to the end of the priority list, yet my passion remains. one of my favorite places to “find” good things to repurpose is at my mom and dads:) After 35 years of marriage my mom is thrilled to down size and get rid of some of the festive decorations she used to put out, and i as a new mom, am thrilled to take them off her hands. It’s fun to make new memories in my home with items from my childhood:) so anyway, thanks for sharing and inspiring me to look at things differently, try new furniture arrangements and make my home a more comfy place for my family and guests!
As for Pier 1, lots of things (always sale items of course) currently my favs are 3 red canisters that sit on my counter in my kitchen. Beautiful, functional, and lets face it…I will ALWAYS have red somewhere in my kitchen:)
I bought a plastic woven chaise and armchair for my deck. I love them.
My dishes are from Pier 1 also. Love them :)
We have an awesome circular wall-hanging from Pier 1, and a beautiful 3-photo frame, and a candle holder that we love. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love Pier 1!! I dont have one very close to my home but anytime Im near one I have to stop and shop!!! My favorite thing I’ve bought from Pier 1 is a teal throw. I love snuggling up on the couch with a good book a hot cup of tea and my throw. Not only is it warm and comfy but it looks great in my living room!
I love Pier 1! One of my current favorite finds are sweet little metal bird napkin rings that seem to perfectly match every occasion….and their ginger peach candles- love!
So much purchased from Pier I it’s hard to remember, but the first thing that came to mind was a colorful set of bud vases that I keep in my kitchen and use all year round.
Christmas ornaments. :-)
I bought the caaauuuttteeessssttt stocking stuffers for my nieces at pier 1. I love all their stuff, but especially the seasonal kids items!! Thanks!!
I have purchased some white dishes (ramekins for fun individual desserts), Christmas ornaments, votive holders and a whole host of other goodies.
My favorite throw pillow is from Pier 1–great colors and a very cute bird!
I’ve never actually bought anything from Pier 1, but I would love to!
We registered at Pier One when we were married too (12 years ago!)!!! All of our dishes are Pier One, some of our glass wear. I’ve bought table cloths, furniture, candles, pillows, wreaths and toys at Pier One. Love the store!
I love to browse Pier 1 and usually bring home a little something. Recently it was a little blue bird bank. I’ve drooled over that white bowl for awhile. I may have to take the plunge now.
I buy little makeup bags there. They hold EVERYTHING from my girls’ diabetes supplies – who doesn’t love a little sparkle with their insulin to coupons for various stores. They are beautiful and always cause a stir… the good kind!
i LOVE Pier 1~ there pillows and the white bowl you have are my favs!
Ornaments! Love them!