Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! For me it is a day to gather friends and family around the table giving thanks for all we have, eating amazing food, watching football, engaging in lively conversations and creating memories that last a lifetime! The table becomes the centerpiece of Thanksgiving and showcases your efforts in creating a space where your guests feel special. I simply LOVE setting a beautiful table!
Here are a few easy tips for you to create a Thanksgiving table that you love!
PRODUCE & FLOWERS:
Head to the produce section in the grocery stor.! Yep, I said produce as in fruits and veggies! It’s an easy way to incorporate color, texture and surprise in your table decor.
TIP: Combine fresh flowers and purple cabbage in a container for your centerpiece. Create a hole in top of your cabbage and insert a small glass container to hold your flowers. Use lettuce or cabbage leaves to wrap around glass candle holders and tie with ribbon or simple string. I love the color and texture this brings to your table! {Pinterest}
TIP: I love the reclaimed wood board used as the anchor of the centerpiece. You could use any old weathered wood or even a new board you distress yourself! Then add some simple greens, candles, gourds and fresh grapes. Rustic Elegance! {Pinterest}
SCAVENGE YOUR BACKYARD – NATURAL ELEMENTS:
Creating the centerpiece of the table can be as easy as grabbing your favorite container and filling it with the seasonal harvest of gourds, pumpkins and items from your own backyard…..think pinecones, acorns, berries, branches, twigs.
TIP: A galvanized steel tray brings a nostalgic feel to the table. Fill it with pumpkins, gourds, berries, acorns, nuts etc… Add height and dimension to your centerpiece with candleholders of varying heights as well as a vase for fresh flowers, branches and berries.{Pinterest}
TIP: Use an existing clear glass vase and fill it with pinecones. Top it off with branches and fall foliage. Add color to the table with a tablecloth, runner, rug or fabric remnant. Surround the vase with candles and fall leaves you brought in from outdoors or purchase from your local craft store. Filling mini containers with leaves or flowers set around the table will bring more variation of height and interest to the table.{Pinterest}
TIP: Keeping your table “all natural” with simple elements creates a warm welcoming table. I love the simple wooden box lined with burlap and filled with pumpkins, gourds and berries. The table is covered in a simple tablecloth, chargers made of a natural element (wood, wicker or rattan would work), layered plates in all white and the addition of an unexpected use of a mason jar with colorful straw as drink ware. The addition of a cloth napkin in a warm tone ties the table together!{Pinterest}
MONOCHROMATIC & METALLICS:
The monochromatic looks is all the rage this season….especially when featuring metallics! I love this simple glam look!
TIP: Grab different sized pumpkins from the local patch or craft store. Spray paint them gold, silver or bronze. You can even spray paint pinecones and dust them in glitter for a little glam! Add a burlap table runner, any metallic votives and you’ve got an amazing centerpiece! Psst….I’ve spotted the sliced tree trunk platters at Target! Add this to the table to vary the height which adds more dimension and interest to your tablescape!{Pinterest}
TIP: Keep it all white with a hint of nature! Spray paint mini pumpkins in white..remember to vary the sizes for dimension and interest. Antlers are still all the rage this season. Keep them natural or paint them as well. Add white flower blooms and clear votives/white candles for a beautiful monochromatic look. Add a simple table runner to soften this look. Tone on Tone elegance! {Pinterest}
TIP: Go monochromatic with the addition of nature! Notice the tree trunk slices as the use of chargers….love this! Add a simple white pumpkin and touch of green to each delightful white plate. Add height and dimension to the center of the table using clear glass candleholders. You can use everyday glassware turned upside down as the use of a candleholder too! Top the candleholders with white pillars or greenery. I love the use of clear vases filled with birch branches, greenery and pussy willows. The addition of battery operated twinkle lights would add extra sparkle to this table!{Pinterest}
DON’T FORGET THE KIDS!
What about the kid’s table you ask? Well there are so many fun ideas to jazz up a table just for the little ones! Here are a few of my faves…
TIP: Keep it simple and fun with construction paper placemats along with their own personal container of crayons. I love the edible turkey dessert on each place setting. Create a simple centerpiece with an existing platter along with a few paper mache pumpkins and pinecones. The splash of color comes from the edible waffle cones overflowing with bright pumpkin candies! Don’t forget the name tags….kids love finding their special spot at the table!{Pinterest}
TIP: I LOVE this! Create an edible centerpiece for the kids to munch on! Love the use of the paper bag to create a turkey stuffed with popcorn! Cover the table with craft paper and mini containers of crayons for doodling. Go for disposable dinnerware with the little ones….no need to worry about glassware breaking plus it brings a fun pop of color to the table! Notice how they rolled up a yellow napkin and tied corn husks around it! This is a fun table for the kiddos!{Pinterest}
BEAUTIFUL BUFFET
If you are hosting a large group, a buffet table is the perfect choice for you! The best advice is to vary the heights of your serving dishes. This gives the buffet a beautiful design element and it’s actually easier to dish up your food!
TIP: Add various height to your dishes with the use of wooden boxes, books, or cake/cookie platters. The boxes or books can always be draped with napkins or fabric remnants to soften the look. The addition of food labels keeps the guests from “guessing” what’s being served! Candles add an element of elegant ambiance to the buffet. The greenery swag gives the buffet a special touch!{Pinterest}
TIP: Store silverware and napkins at the end of your buffet in beautiful containers. These are simple jars spray painted in gold. If you don’t feel like painting, simply line it with a colorful napkin. Having them at the end keeps your guests hands free for filling up their plate!{Pinterest}
TIP: It’s a great idea to set aside a separate area for a drink station. This keeps your guests moving around and mingling with other guests. Serve one or two signature drinks to keep it simple. I love the idea of an apple cider with cinnamon sticks and a simple champagne cocktail.{Pinterest}
There are literally hundreds of ideas for creating a beautiful Thanksgiving table. I hope I’ve given you a few easy options that spark your creativity! The following are a few important tips to remember when creating your own tablescape:
- Keep it simple
- The centerpiece shouldn’t be more than 10-12″ in height. If you go higher it can be difficult for guests to see across the table.
- Decide on a “centerpiece theme”….fruits,veggies and gourds, monochromatic, metallics, all natural elements, vintage inspired, fun and playful (think big kid table)
- Drink ware adds a lot to the table. Go with clear glassware for a minimalist look, add a hint of color with a tinted wineglass or water goblet, mix several different styles of glassware or get creative with mason jars!
- Napkins and napkin rings always give that finishing touch.
- Get your kids involved with making creative name tags for each place setting.
My last tip is to have fun and create a table you love!
Wishing you and yours an amazing Thanksgiving feast!
Leave a Reply