Ways to beautify Shabbos

amother

Today at 5:42 am

Please provide some ideas of what you do. Any tips or ideas are appreciated.
I took this on as a zechus for something recently and Hashem answered my tefilah, so now it’s my turn to fulfill this commitment.
Right now I’m focusing on having everything preparing by chatzos Friday, any other practical ideas welcomed.

mommypinks

Today at 8:05 am

A few things I try and like to do:
- Shabbos fancy kitchen towels for washing
-pretty napkins for the table (mine are throw away ones)
-using real dining wear instead of plastics
-polish candlesticks/ Kiddush cup often (I don’t but this post definitely gave me chizuk to start to try!)

amother

Poinsettia

Today at 9:21 am

We made shabbos prep more streamlined and it just feels better and easier, kind of just organic to get ready (and so simple to clear up).

One cabinet above the center counter was emptied and challah board got a place with the cover and knife above it. So easy to pull out and get ready, so easy to put back.
Kiddush cups were so hard to polish so we went out and bought pretty glass ones that have a place near the challah board.

Not everybody liked the shabbos food so we started splurging and buying the meat that everybody likes and it has become an excitement, when is the meal.

We created a tradition like that for shabbos day meal as well, making a board together with things that everyone is excited about.

We also prepare for the meals all together. Less stress more fun. Make the process family time instead of trying to force family time at the meal and it becomes an organic enjoyable process.

Friday night we use fine dishes and load our dishes into the dishwasher. Shabbos day we use beautiful platters but stick to plastic. Makes it simpler.

amother

Clematis

Today at 9:36 am

Everything mommy pinks said is stuff I was brought up to do routinely every week as part of standard Shabbat prep. It was what we did "lich'vod Shabbat" and never thought of it as a special extra effort to "beautify" the day above and beyond. Just as we change linens every Friday, just as I have clothes I wear only on Shabbat--I even feel a bit guilty if I have to wear them to a simcha midweek-and never wear my weekday clothes on Shabbat. Same thing with jewelry : there are items I never wear midweek, only on Shabbat. That's not even a conscious decision but kind of a reflex: this is my nicest necklace or pair of earrings, of course it's for Shabbat. I could never understand women who didn't have a separate wardrobe for Shabbat. Money has nothing to do with it. I could have all of one nice skirt and two blouses
but they are designated Shabbat clothes and not worn the rest of the time. The foods I serve on Shabbat I don't serve midweek except as leftovers, and my midweek foods don't get served on Shabbat. Shabbat is its own separate category.
We never reserved certain games or toys for Shabbat, as we don't have that many to begin with, but that's something you could do if you wanted to.

ETA we don't use cloth napkins but I do reserve the prettier brand-name embossed paper napkins for Shabbat and use plain generic paper napkins on weekdays. Pretty much anything that's higher quality or more elegant is reserved for Shabbat.

Molly Weasley

Today at 10:12 am

Small things

1) setting the table Friday morning gives off a extra Shabbos feel

2) reserve a food/drink/game/book/magazine for shabbos

3) if dh is also into this, you guys can prepare a vort /storey/ halacha conversation starter for the table.

4) as others mentioned, upgrade the actual table, real napkins versus disposable, nicer tablecloth, etc.

amother

Mauve

Today at 10:14 am

I recently heard at a shiva house how the lady sat and waited for Shabbos. She cooked and cleaned Thursday. And Friday sat on the couch and read to her kids. Said tehillim. There was no rush. No last minute ideas of extras to make. It sounded like from her kids it was the most special thing and made them feel like they waited to greet Shabbos.