As Seen on The Portia Show with Portia Bruner

There is something so special about the BRRRR months of the year! As the air turns crisp, the days become shorter, and the holidays approach, we find ourselves looking for more opportunities to gather, create, celebrate, and connect with the people we love.

I had the wonderful opportunity to join my beautiful cousin, Aftan, on The Portia Show with Portia Bruner, where we shared some of my favorite ways to celebrate the season, from Halloween and the fall harvest to Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and Christmas!

If you know me, you know I believe that some of the most beautiful memories are created around the table. And it doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated, or picture-perfect. Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity, a simple recipe, and the willingness to make time for one another.

For our “Bring on the Brrrs” segment, I wanted to share ideas that bring food, creativity, and family together. These activities are simple enough for children to enjoy but beautiful and delicious enough for adults to appreciate, too.

So, let’s celebrate the BRRRR months, one gathering at a time!

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OCTOBER: A Little Halloween Fun and a Whole Lot of Fall Flavor

October is the perfect time to bring a little playfulness into the kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, planning a fall gathering, or simply looking for something fun to do with the kids, these ideas are easy, affordable, and full of seasonal charm.

Halloween Mozzarella & Pretzel Broomsticks

A Treat That’s Also a Craft!

Who says Halloween treats have to be filled with sugar? These adorable little broomsticks are a fun savory snack that doubles as a hands-on craft for the kids.

Ingredients

• 6 mozzarella string cheese sticks
• 12 thin pretzel sticks
• 12 fresh chives, optional, for tying the broomsticks

Instructions

1. Cut each mozzarella string cheese stick in half crosswise to create 12 shorter pieces.
2. Using a small knife, carefully make several thin cuts into one end of each cheese piece, creating the appearance of broom bristles. Leave the top portion intact.
3. Gently insert a pretzel stick into the uncut end of each mozzarella piece to create the broom handle.
4. For an extra decorative touch, tie a fresh chive around the top of the cheese bristles.
5. Arrange the broomsticks on a festive Halloween platter and serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Set the Table with Love Tip: Let the children help assemble the broomsticks while an adult handles the cutting. You can even create a little Halloween broomstick-making station with pretzels, cheese, and festive plates.

What I love about this idea is that it’s more than just a snack. It’s an opportunity for children to use their imagination, work with their hands, and enjoy something they’ve created themselves.

Sometimes the best part of a treat isn’t eating it. It’s the fun you have making it together!

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola

The Perfect Fall Breakfast, Snack, or Homemade Gift

One of my favorite things about fall is filling the kitchen with the warm aromas of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and maple.

This homemade pumpkin spice granola is crunchy, lightly sweetened, and filled with cozy autumn flavor. Serve it over yogurt, sprinkle it on baked apples, enjoy it with milk, or package it in little jars as thoughtful gifts.

Ingredients

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes, optional
• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
• ⅓ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ¼ cup melted coconut oil or avocado oil
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ cup dried cranberries, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and coconut flakes.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, pumpkin purée, melted oil, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, vanilla, and sea salt.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
5. Spread the granola in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 35–45 minutes, gently turning sections of the granola halfway through for even baking.
7. Allow the granola to cool completely on the baking sheet. It will become crispier as it cools.
8. Stir in the dried cranberries, if using.

Set the Table with Love Tip: Fill small glass jars with the granola, add a pretty ribbon and a handwritten tag, and you have a delicious homemade fall gift.

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NOVEMBER: Fall Harvest , Thanksgiving & Friendsgiving

November invites us to slow down and remember what really matters: gratitude, connection, and the people who make our lives beautiful.

I especially love finding ways to include children in holiday preparations. When children help create something for the table, they aren’t just watching the celebration happen. They’re becoming part of it.

DIY Harvest Pumpkin Floral Arrangements

A Beautiful Centerpiece and a Meaningful Take-Home Gift

One of my favorite ideas from the segment was creating beautiful pumpkin floral arrangements using artificial flowers and dry floral foam.

These arrangements are perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any fall gathering. They’re affordable, easy to personalize, and can become wonderful keepsakes.

Supplies

• Small or medium decorative pumpkins, preferably faux pumpkins
• Dry floral foam
• Artificial fall flowers and greenery
• Floral wire cutters
• Craft knife (adult use only)
• Stickers, paint markers, or decorative lettering
• Ribbon, optional
• Hot glue, optional

Instructions

1. Choose a decorative pumpkin that complements your fall tablescape. Faux pumpkins work especially well because the arrangements can be saved and reused.
2. Have an adult carefully remove the top of a hollow faux pumpkin, if needed.
3. Cut a piece of dry floral foam to fit snugly inside the pumpkin.
4. Trim the stems of your artificial flowers to different lengths.
5. Begin arranging the flowers in the foam, starting with larger blooms and filling in with smaller flowers and greenery.
6. Add ribbon, stickers, or other decorative touches.
7. Let each child personalize their pumpkin by writing their name, adding stickers, or creating their own design.

Budget-Friendly Tip: Shop your local craft stores for seasonal artificial flowers. Around this time of year, many stores begin offering discounts on fall florals and decorations. It’s a great opportunity to create something beautiful without spending a fortune.

Make It Personal: A Thanksgiving Table Filled with Love

Here’s what makes this idea so meaningful.

Imagine your Thanksgiving table filled with little pumpkins, each decorated by a child with their name written on it.

The children walk into the dining room and see their creations displayed as part of the celebration. Suddenly, the table isn’t just something the adults decorated. It’s something the entire family helped create.

You can even use the pumpkins as personalized place settings!

For Friendsgiving, invite each guest to create a small arrangement at the beginning of the gathering. Display the pumpkins together as a beautiful centerpiece, then let everyone take their creation home.

It’s a centerpiece, a craft, a place setting, and a keepsake all in one.

And isn’t that what gathering is all about? Creating moments that people can carry with them long after the meal is over.

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DECEMBER: Christmas Memories, Handmade Ornaments & Something Delicious to Share

December is one of my favorite times of year to create traditions.

There’s something wonderful about gathering around the table with Christmas music playing, warm drinks nearby, and a simple craft everyone can enjoy.

For our segment, I shared a beautiful ornament-making activity and a savory pull-apart Christmas bread that’s perfect for holiday entertaining.

DIY Christmas Keepsake Ornaments

A Little Sparkle, a Little Creativity, and a Memory to Treasure

These handmade ornaments are simple, elegant, and a beautiful way to capture memories with family and friends.

Supplies

• Clear, fillable Christmas ornaments
• Pink gemstones or decorative acrylic jewels
• Small dried flowers
• Decorative ribbon
• Letter stickers
• Paint markers
• Small funnel, optional

Instructions

1. Begin with a clear ornament and carefully remove the top.
2. Add a few pink gemstones or decorative jewels inside the ornament.
3. Gently place small dried flowers inside, arranging them so they can be seen through the clear surface.
4. Replace the ornament top securely.
5. Tie a beautiful ribbon around the top for hanging.
6. Personalize the outside with stickers, a name, the year, or a special message.

Set the Table with Love Tip: Create an ornament-making station at your Christmas gathering. Place all the supplies in pretty bowls and invite guests to make an ornament to take home.

I especially love the idea of adding a name and date.

Years from now, when someone takes that ornament out of storage and hangs it on their Christmas tree, they’ll remember the people, laughter, and love that surrounded its creation.

That’s the beauty of starting traditions. We may be making something simple today, but we’re creating memories that can last for generations.

Savory Christmas Pull-Apart Bread

With Mozzarella, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Parmesan & Fresh Parsley

This is the kind of recipe I love for holiday entertaining! It’s warm, cheesy, beautiful on the table, and incredibly easy to make using store-bought pizza dough.

The sun-dried tomatoes add a wonderful savory flavor, while the mozzarella and Parmesan create that irresistible cheesy pull with every bite.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Bake Time: 25–30 minutes

Servings: 8–10

Ingredients

• 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough, brought to room temperature
• 1½ cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, well drained ( optional)
• ⅓ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• Marinara sauce, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, combine the mozzarella, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
3. Divide the pizza dough into approximately 20 equal pieces.
4. Flatten each piece of dough slightly and add about 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture to the center.
5. Pinch the edges of the dough together, sealing the filling inside, and gently roll into a ball.
6. Arrange the dough balls seam-side down on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with one ball at the top and increase the number of balls in each row, adding a small trunk at the bottom. Leave just a little space between the balls so they can expand while baking.
7. Mix the melted butter or olive oil with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Brush over the dough.
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the dough is fully cooked through.
9. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with the remaining shaved Parmesan and fresh parsley.
10. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.

Set the Table with Love Tip: Place your Christmas tree bread on a large wooden serving board and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs around the edges for a beautiful holiday presentation.

This recipe is wonderful for Christmas parties, holiday movie nights, family gatherings, or even as an appetizer before Christmas dinner.

And the best part? Everyone gets to pull off their own little piece of cheesy goodness!

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Bringing It All Together: The Beauty of the BRRRR Months

As much as I love decorating a beautiful table, preparing delicious food, and creating something special for the holidays, I’ve learned that the real beauty of entertaining isn’t found in how everything looks.

It’s found in how people feel.

It’s the child who proudly points to the pumpkin they decorated.

It’s the laughter around the table while everyone makes Halloween broomsticks.

It’s the friend who takes home a little floral arrangement and remembers being included.

It’s the Christmas ornament that becomes more meaningful with every passing year.

And it’s the warm bread being passed around a table filled with conversation, laughter, and love.

The BRRRR months give us a wonderful opportunity to slow down, open our homes, and make room for connection.

You don’t need an elaborate menu, expensive decorations, or a perfectly styled home to make someone feel welcome.

You simply need a little intention, a little creativity, and a heart willing to share.

This season, I encourage you to create moments rather than just plan events. Invite the children into the kitchen. Let your guests participate. Start a new tradition. Make something with your hands. And most importantly, make space for the people you love.

Because long after the decorations are put away and the last bite has been enjoyed, what remains are the memories we made together.

That’s what it means to Set the Table with Love.

Watch the Segment!

A special thank-you to my beautiful cousin, Aftan, and The Portia Show with Portia Bruner for the opportunity to share these fun and festive ideas!

Catch our episode, “Bring on the Brrrs,” Tuesday, October 27, on FOX 5 Atlanta at 1 p.m. EST, with additional broadcasts and weekend streaming on FOX LOCAL and FOX SOUL.

For more seasonal recipes, entertaining inspiration, and mindful ways to bring people together, visit:

http://www.setthetablewithlove.com

From my table to yours, may this season be filled with warmth, gratitude, delicious food, and lots of love.

Set the Table with Love