If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, you may be feeling the pressure to make your Thanksgiving Table look perfect for the big day. After all, your guests are about to stuff themselves silly with turkey and dressing (or Tofurky and stuffing if that’s more their style), so the least you can do is give them a beautiful tablescape at which to enjoy their meal. That said, it’s okay if you haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about what your table should look like yet. Forgo the same old Thanksgiving table decor and try one of our unique ideas instead!
You can inspire your guests by using your creativity to set a beautiful and memorable Thanksgiving table every year!
You can inspire your guests by using your creativity to set a beautiful and memorable Thanksgiving table every year!
Holiday dinner settings are important because they help create a mood, setting the tone for the evening’s activities. We’ll show you how to create that perfect setting with our tips on choosing table decorations, napkins, plates, and utensils. We’ll even suggest some great ways to use leftover Thanksgiving food as decoration!
Whether you want something simple or over-the-top lavish (or somewhere in between), we’ve got ideas that will work for everyone at your family’s table this year.
Go with a monochromatic theme.
If you want to add a little bit of color to your Thanksgiving table setting, try using only one color. You can use the same color for each item on the table, or you can use different shades of that one color. You could even mix and match shades if you want.
For example, if you want purple as your main theme for Thanksgiving this year, start by choosing a deep purple fabric (or purchase a piece with an existing pattern) that will serve as your tablecloth and napkins. Then pick out other pieces in different shades of purple: light purples for flowers in vases, medium purples for serving dishes, dark purples for place cards and cutlery sets, etc.
Have something unexpected on your table, like a pumpkin or gourd.
When you’re thinking about Thanksgiving table setting ideas, don’t forget to include something unexpected on your table. If you have a pumpkin or gourd in your home, bring it out. They make great centerpieces and are so versatile—you can use them as placemats, serving bowls, vases for flowers or even napkin rings. If you don’t have one of these items but still want to incorporate this idea into your holiday table setting design, consider using what’s already in nature: pine cones! The perfect way to add some rustic charm!
Use something that isn’t normally used at the table.
- Use something that isn’t normally used at the table.
- A vintage washbasin, an antique turquoise bowl or a silver tray can be great focal points on your Thanksgiving table.
- Take advantage of the day’s harvest and place fresh flowers in a large vase as a centerpiece for the table. Or collect dried lavender from your garden to use in place of candles on each end of the dining room table.
- Add some sparkle by using votive holders filled with clear crystal beads as centerpieces for each setting, which will look especially lovely when lit up during dinner time hours. This also makes for an easy way to bring out some holiday cheer when it’s dark outside!
Bring some green inside.
Green is a color that has been associated with spring and rebirth for centuries. If you want to bring some green inside for your Thanksgiving dinner, here are some ways that you can do it:
- Use green napkins or table runner
- Add a centerpiece that includes green flowers
- Add fresh herbs to the food such as parsley or dill to give dishes an extra punch of flavor
Visit nature for inspiration.
- Visit a garden, park, or forest. Nature is the best source of inspiration for any holiday table setting. A walk through the woods can help you come up with an idea for your Thanksgiving table that will incorporate fall leaves and berries into the design.
- Look at nature from your home or office window. If you need to get away from it all to find inspiration, look at nature in its untouched state through a windowpane as you work on your holiday decorating project! You’re bound to see something that inspires you—maybe it will be a group of trees whose branches look like they could be serving trays and plates, or maybe it will be some wildflowers growing by the road where cars drive by every day without noticing them.
Add something vintage or antique to your table.
A vintage or antique item can add a lot of character to any table. You can find them at thrift stores, flea markets, and estate sales—and if you’re lucky enough to live in an area with lots of vintage shops. If you’re looking for something specific (like a dresser), search online as well. But be careful when buying furniture from websites. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what kind of condition the items are in or whether they have been restored properly.
Antique stores tend to carry more expensive items than local flea markets, especially if they specialize in rare finds like jewelry or artwork instead of everyday decor items like plates and vases; however, there are some great deals on both ends of the spectrum if you know where to look and how much you’re willing to spend!
Consider something artisanal.
Think artisanal.
- Handmade: Handmade products are more unique and often more expensive than mass-produced items. But there’s no denying they have a certain charm that can’t be replicated by machines.
- Unique: When you buy handmade, whether it’s a handcrafted table setting or a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry (or even if it’s something like an antique), you’re making a statement about the values that matter most to you.
- Environmentally friendly: Artisanal craftsmen often use local materials, which means less transportation for those materials and less impact on the environment—as opposed to large corporations whose factories churn out countless copies of the same thing all over the world. For example, if your family has ever been tempted by those beautiful handmade bowls made from wood by a craftswoman in Vermont who uses traditional techniques passed down through generations, then now might be the time to indulge yourself!
Twist-up the expected with something that’s uniquely you.
A twist on the expected is a great way to make your table setting memorable. Instead of using a standard tablecloth, try layering multiple textiles under it—whether they’re vintage or new. If you’re looking to add something special, think about what’s important in your life and bring that into the mix by adding an element that’s unique to you: maybe it’s a piece of art from one of your travels or something sentimental like a handmade necklace from grandma.
Conclusion
Each of these ideas has the potential to make your Thanksgiving table setting unique and memorable for all your guests. When you go beyond the expected with your decorations, you can also add meaning and importance to every item on the table, from centerpieces and napkin rings to forks and knives. After all, that’s how the holiday will be remembered!
