Thanksgiving is for sharing: a favorite pecan pie recipe served in a favorite pie dish, a casserole shared with a neighbor in need of a little extra nourishment, or a moment with a loved one and a hot drink (by the fireplace or lit Christmas tree perhaps?).
This festive season, we invite you to gather and share with handmade dishes that look and feel good. We have some ideas, below!
But first, a personal story. Some of my fondest childhood memories are spending Thanksgiving at my grandma's house. I think what I loved most about the day was the meal preparation. For much of the morning and into the afternoon, the kitchen was a production of many bodies performing culinary activities and many animals hovering underfoot and on countertops, lusting after the turkey-forward fragrances. And also, there was lots of noise.
This small kitchen universe sounds chaotic. But actually, the whole ordeal was artfully orchestrated by my grandma, the master of delegation. In fact, in my lifetime, I cannot remember a single major injury or disaster occurring in that kitchen (on Thanksgiving at least), despite the numerous knives and hot things and furry tripping hazards.
Each family member had a very specific job. For example, Grandpa always prepped the Waldorf salad while watching the National Dog Show on the tiny kitchen television. The subsequent generations of uncles and fathers and husbands fetched spices and beer, washed the dozens of dishes, or corralled the animals. And I set the table.
I loved setting the table. I loved folding napkins in triangles and layering the plates and the bowls, arranging the glasses, and lighting the candles.
My grandma was an artist with many artist friends, so her collection of tableware was always handmade and personal, often attached with an anecdote about the craftsperson, but never precious. She had beautiful hand-formed ceramic dishes, pitchers with dramatic handles for humble water, and weighty cutlery perfect for the hearty midwestern meal. All followed by pie on wavy-rimmed pie plates and games and refilled wine glasses and more noise.
When I brought my British husband to Thanksgiving for the first time, he had never experienced a thing like it. But Thanksgiving in Akron instantly became his favorite gathering of the year, and he asks for my grandma's recipes annually.
All this to say, whatever you serve this holiday season, dishing up something for friends and family feels that much more memorable with a giant hand-formed bowl that will remind us of heaps of mashed potatoes, and which we will somehow equate with cherished times.
Here are some picks worthy of the sentiment:
Statement Ceramics
Large serving bowls for heaps of mashed potatoes and enormous salads. A magnificent wood cutting and serving board. A "chip and dip" serving platter for the football game. Ceramic candles to illuminate your meal. Not pictured, but lovely in person: a matching pie dish and casserole dish for brie.
Bold Elegance
If your taste leans more graphic and modern, we have some statement pieces for you too, like elegant glassware and etched serving platters with accompanying small plates and bowls. Serve your rolls (or create a seasonal centerpiece) with aluminum Don Drumm leaf dishes.
It's all more magical in person. Stop in E. Drumm Designs set your gathering table this festive season. Wishing you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving. We're thankful for you!