For the majority of Americans, one of the biggest highlights of the years takes place in late November. Thanksgiving is the one holiday of the year where the entire purpose is gathering together with loved ones to share a thoughtfully prepared meal. No gifts are exchanged, there are no expectations beyond sharing a day together, and beyond contributing a dessert or a bottle of wine, guests typically just need to bring their appetites and a positive attitude. As anyone who is host or hostess of the day can attest, entertaining on any scale is an artform. Whether welcoming a large gathering of family, a pot-luck style “friendsgiving” or an intimate dinner with a small group, the tone one sets in their home is as important to a memorable holiday as the meal or wine one serves.

Image courtesy of Antique Elements 

In establishing a vibe for your venue, it’s all about the details; the table setting, the floral arrangements or the serving wear can go a long way to elevating your soirée. We often look with fondness at the wide selection of home décor we see at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show (OMBAS) each year with an “imagine the possibilities…” mindset. When we come across a lemon squeezer from the Arts & Crafts movement—a movement that put an emphasis on the quality of decorative arts in response to the “damaging effects” of industrialization—we imagine what a delight it would be to serve our friends a Lemon Smash with all of the theatrics of a silver plate squeezer from the 20^th century, shaken in a sterling silver cocktail shaker shaped like a plane!

 

How indulgent would it be to serve a digestif of single malt scotch out of a crystal decanter from Tiffany & Co.? Or to pour your guests champagne in an exquisite Baccarat flute? While refrigeration is no longer the rarity it once was, it would be impossible for a guest to not be impressed if you serve the now common commodity of ice out of a Tiffany & Co. Parcel Gilt Sterling Silver Ice Bowl from 1877. The Meiji-inspired design is replete with details that once indicated both exquisite taste and knowledge of national politics and is just as stunning through today’s contemporary lens.

The whimsy of replenishing the water on the dinner table out of a 19^th Century Chinese rose cider jug with cover is almost too much for us to comprehend, the garden detail and dragon borders evoking the charm of more gentile times. And as your guests sit back in satiated enjoyment, how lovely would it be for them to gaze upon a hand-blown glass vase or sculpture? In an era of “add to cart” sensibilities, the allure of hand-selected treasures is that much more exceptional, and the upcoming OMBAS show, taking place January 9-13, 2025 has ample options to outfit your entertainment space and render it as memorable as the company with whom you surround yourself.