Festive Outdoor Friendsgiving & DIY Garland

Why celebrate Thanksgiving just one day? This holiday deserves to be brought to the office, celebrated with friends over the weekend, and in as many other ways as possible! One, because the food is SO delicious and there are always too many new recipes to try, and two, because celebrating what we’re thankful for should happen more than once! These creative friends had the same idea – so they made a whole weekend out of ‘Friendsgiving’ celebrations! Get inspiration for your own holiday celebrations and learn how to make an Olive Branch garland for your table too! The simple instructions are below!

From the Stylist, Antoinette Watson of Claiborne & Lime

Friendsgiving was a three-day weekend of events in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday to celebrate friendships old and new with fellow creatives and friends. Over the course of the weekend many of the traditional elements of the holiday were present: cooking, baking and creating new fall cocktails. We also played board games, shared stories over long breakfasts in a garden and enjoyed a Friendsgiving dinner that went until the wee hours under the stars. 

Olive Branch Table Garland DIY

When we decided to host Friendsgiving, we were inspired by the all of the olive trees in nearby Los Olivos and wanted to bring some of that rustic, wine country landscape to our dinner table. Luckily for us, we were able to snag some branches from a tree that had been recently trimmed. Of course, you can also order them through a local florist or flower mart.  I always recommend looking in your own backyard or neighborhood to find things that are native to your environment.  In the past I’ve also used eucalyptus, magnolia and bay leaves, which are equally stunning alone or mixed together.

Materials:

*(8-10) bouquet size bunches of olive branches
floral wire
wire cutters
floral scissors
*each bouquet represents approximately 1 feet of garland

Instructions:

Start by using floral scissors to cut all of the small, bottom branches off of the larger branch.  Once you’ve cut as many branches as you need lay them out side by side, begin to create small bouquets and loosely tie them with floral wire.  Next lay the first bouquet down and stagger the subsequent bouquet about halfway down and tie them together using floral wire.  Continue to stagger the subsequent bouquets and tie with floral wire until you have reached the desired length for your garland.  To finish the ends of the garland create two separate small garlands of approximately 1-2 feet each and tie the ends together on each side. Finally, be sure to mist your garland with water to keep it fresh, especially if making a few days ahead of your event.  Happy Making!

Vendors

Photography: Kristen Beinke Photography 
Creative Direction & Styling: Antoinette Watson of Claiborne & Lime 
Design Direction: Laura Mormann & Lani Ako
Monogrammed Napkins: Mark & Graham 
Food: Chef Jasmine Croom of Cream de la Croom
Serve ware & Glasses: Dish Wish Events