Thanksgiving is the time of year to celebrate the blessings and abundant harvest of the year that was. You can show off that abundance through festive table setting ideas for Thanksgiving.
There are many options to choose from, depending on what decorative materials, rectangular tablecloths, and utensils you have or what supplies are easily accessible. Make setting the table a fun, creative, and memorable experience for everyone involved.
How to Set a Table for Thanksgiving
Do you already have a look in mind for your Thanksgiving table setting? If not, you might get inspiration from the following ideas:
1. Use multiple centerpieces
Don’t be stingy with your centerpieces. You can add multiple glass vases to your tables and fill them with seasonal flowers. Add a basket full of the fall harvest, use autumn-colored plates, and put them on top of white placemats to create a neat look matching that of the glass vases.
2. Go for gold
Don’t the fallen leaves remind you of gold? Pick up a few branches with dried leaves still attached and prepare them as centerpieces after spraying them in gold. Match this with tableware in white and gold, along with fringed table runners and cute pumpkins in the same color.
3. Don’t be afraid to forage
Prepare an earthy, simple, and natural table setting with flowers, leaves, and branches, and other foraged pieces in the middle of the table. These put great emphasis on the new season. To match the foraged look, use your everyday yet presentable earthenware. Keep everything natural by not using tablecloths or runners, but don’t forget about the napkins.
4. Add harvest as decorative elements
Corn wouldn’t be too far down the list if you say harvest. Look for tableware with gold or silver gilding, choose a table runner with a glittery edge, and decorate the corn and squash (or its stem) with a sprinkle of glitter.
5. Showcase the harvest bounty in baskets
Try being natural with your centerpieces by using baskets to hold your bounty. You can add more baskets to fill the entire length of the table. Choose tablecloths that best match dark brown baskets, candle holders, and even earth tones for your tableware.
Must-Haves in Thanksgiving Table Setting
To get a clearer picture of what supplies you should source regardless of the ideas for Thanksgiving table settings you are considering, make use of this list and a few pointers:
1. Linens and tablecloths
Invest in excellent linens you can use as a foundation for your Thanksgiving tablescape. If you want a fancy setting, list some velvet linens for your supply run or pair neutral tablecloths with more colorful napkins. Why not add some runners to make the table look special? Don’t hold back on the colors you want for your tablecloths to create diverse layers with the remaining items on the table.
2. Candles
Set the mood using the right kind of candles that add a dramatic flair to the table setting. You can set up the candles in clusters of two or three and ensure they are anchored to the holders. Have fun choosing candelabras to pull off any of your candle-using table setting ideas for Thanksgiving.
3. Flowers
Don’t just focus on fruits, vegetables, and other types of harvest to become your centerpieces. Add some floral arrangements, too, but make sure they will not block the view of your guests. Even if you’re dining indoors, you can bring some outdoor elements inside through your decorations. Transform your table into a mini garden complete with flowers, pumpkins, garlic, stems with leaves, and more.
4. Decorative accents
You might need napkins, wreaths, garlands, napkin rings, wall decor, neon signs, dramatic backdrops, greeneries, event draping, crystal beads, candelabras, centerpieces, fabric rolls, and more. These accents can be in different colors, so it’s okay to go all out and purchase a lot of them. They will come in handy when you decide to change your table setting every now and then.
5. Tableware
Thanksgiving is the best time to use your china. If you want a more formal look, consider using serving platters, bowls, and plates with gold or silver gilding. You can also find cheaper versions of these if you know where to look. There are lots of online stores that sell great tableware at a fraction of the cost. Just make sure they will match the linens and other decorative items on the table, as well as the food you will be serving.
6. Place cards
Place cards are a great way to personalize your table setting. They can be used to direct your guests to their seats without having to call out their names. You can find place cards in different materials like paper, wood, metal, and even plastic. Choose the material that will best match your table setting. If you want a more rustic look, opt for place cards made of wood.
In Conclusion
Choose the best idea for your target look, from foraging themes and baskets to multiple centerpieces and gold-rimmed tableware. Also, check with event suppliers for the decorative items you need, from glitzy sequin tablecloths and candelabras to backdrops.
Making this year’s holiday table an interesting one is a challenge, but you don’t need to worry about that if you have several table setting ideas for Thanksgiving to choose from.
