Thanksgiving is almost here and it’s time to think about your tablescapes for the big meal! I know for many cooking all day and thinking about setting a beautiful table is a little overwhelming…..but it doesn’t have to be. Planning and setting up a little at a time helps relieve some of the last minute stress.

What I like to do is shop now for any dry goods that will be a part of your meal. Even if you are going to family’s house and only making a few dishes to take with you. I find a spot in the house and set up a box (put those Amazon boxes to use) and start putting my dry goods in there. Then I use another box for my tablescape elements. As I pick them up they go in there. Paper plates, cups, napkins things like that. As well as decorative items.

I’ll show you a few of the tablescapes that I have put together this year. Some take a little more work than others, but I’m sure you can find one that fits you!

Take elements that you already have to create some different looks. This table I call Buffalo Check. I started with the very popular black and white buffalo check runner.

I added some greenery garland. Mine here is fake but you can use greenery from your yard……or if your friends with your neighbor and they have a nice leafy tree…..! Then I layered tiny velvet pumpkins from Hobby Lobby, votives, Danziesen Dairy milk bottles with fresh flowers from the grocery store, a fresh artichoke and a fake succulent.

A lantern to anchor the center brings in light. You could use a candle of any sort here. I’ve never thought of black and white to be a Thanksgiving color but it sure seems to work here with the plates that I picked up at Goodwill and the runner. I used some cloth napkins that I had and my regular flatware. You can substitute with plastic and paper here as well as with the cup.

Burlap Simplicity is a warm and inviting table using some of the same elements. This time we anchored the table with a burlap runner. You can use another type that you might have. I layed the eucalyptus, succulents and artichoke down the center and accented with votives. The same flowers placed in a white painted milk bottle tie it in with the white plates. These plates are 36 year old wedding gift! They have seen a lot of action. But a study white Chinet plate would work great here! Add a napkins and cup and you are set!

Simple Beauty is this tablescape. Here I used the fringy cream runner as the anchor then one simple garland of eaucalyptus. I addes a couple of wooden bead garlands and the chalk black vases with one color of flower. The small little candle holders in the middle I picked up from Target last year. Here you could add fun paper Thanksgiving patterned plates and cups or use your own dishes to complete your own look!

Bright and Lively Pumpkin is this table setting for a large family and friends gathering! Definitely want to use the plastic and paper serveware here! A beautiful cookie as a favor at each place is a lovely touch! These are from Whisknlick. Leave the plates for the buffet line and just set down the forks, knives and spoons.

Sunflowers and pumpkins make such a bright and festive table! Add some eucalyptus as the base then sprinkle throughout the table some light. You can use votives, lanterns, and candles. The darker tablecloth and black chalk vases give it warthm, while the pumpkins and flowers add that cheering welcoming touch!

Rose Gold Thanksgiving is the tablescape that made my creative side challenged. I wanted it to be a elegant yet inexpensive and easy table that would be perfect for a millenial Friendsgiving! So I went for it!

A rose gold tablecloth as the base, then once again used black…….I know…..not typical a Thanksgiving color but it works! I used a roll of brown craft paper from the Dollar Store to add another layer before the eucalyptus garland. (I use that alot!) I painted some mini pumpkins and artichokes rose gold. I used my Hobby Lobby velvet pumpkins. Bought one wine colored fake flower bush and removed the flowers to sprinkle across the table. Added in a few fall leaves to bring out the fall colors and lantern and votive for light. The tableware is all paper and plastic from Party City.

Do you spy the rose gold straw? Those were the most expensive item on the table! I purchased Starbucks ice coffee and mini sparkeling cider for the drinks and put the little brown and black band around them. They look so cute!

Thanksgiving is for being thankful not stressed out! So I hope I was able to give you a few tips on how to decorate your table. Remember use what you have in new and creative ways. Layer, Layer, Layer! It give the table so much more depth and interest. Simple layers or layers that you can look at through the whole meal and not see every element on them. Most importantly spend the meal sharing life with your favorite people.

This year Thanksgiving might look different for many people. I hope that if it does, you can see the hope and blessing in your life and start a new tradition for the future! Beautiful things can come from ashes. May God be with you and Bless you this Thanksgiving!

Blessings,

Carrie