5 Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Tablescape

Today, I want to share with you 5 tips for an easy Thanksgiving tablescape.  I know some of you are getting ready to host Thanksgiving while others of you will be hosting Friendsgiving in the next few weeks.

Every year other year, we spend Thanksgiving with my mom’s side of the family and it’s always so much fun. Most of the friends I bring home for Thanksgiving can’t believe we eat dinner with around 100 family members and sometimes more than that but it’s true.

Everyone pitches in and brings a dish “dinner on the ground style” and we sit at big round tables visiting and catching up.

At the end of the meal everyone (read: mostly the ladies although the dads do offer to take out the trash, fold up all the chairs and keep an eye on the littles which definitely deserves credit) huddles in the kitchen and we clean up all the dishes.

It’s totally a secret but this is when all the funny stuff starts to happen and we wind up laughing at the most random things in kitchen for hours. You’d swear we’d been nipping at the bottle but I think we’re all just punch drunk tired ha ha.

Putting together tablescapes for special holiday events or really any time of year doesn’t have to be super involved to feel unique. But it’s always nice to pay attention to the details.

Here are a few Thanksgiving inspired tablescapes we’ve put together over the past few years with 5 easy tips on how to make the details feel special…

Shop the produce aisle for budget friendly seasonal decorations

There are a lot of seasonal decorating ideas right in the produce department!

Think apples, persimmons, grapes, gourds, pumpkins, acorn squash, pears, cranberries, plums, pomegranate, guava and herbs.

Add a few of your favorite fall flowers into the mix for a gorgeous fall inspired centerpiece.

Use a seasonal color palette that is in line with your home’s existing colors.

As you guys know our home is mostly shades of white, camels and grays with touches of black and wood grain.

I’ve used this thrifted blanket in so many different spots around the house, it sets the tone for the entire season.

Vary texture and soft elements into your seasonal tablescape.

Layering fabrics like flannels, wools, burlap, cashmere, cable knit, and velvet will help to create a cozy feeling in your home.

Think outside the box when it comes to fabric, blankets and table linens.

Collect bits of nature to highlight on your tablescape.

Mums, magnolia leaves, sticks, goldenrod, leaves, pinecones, coleus and deer sheds are usually plentiful this time of year.

Just make sure you’ve cleaned these items well and they are free from pests before bringing inside.

Create ambiance with lighting. 

Use unscented candles, votives, mason jars, lanterns or hurricanes to create a warm soft glow that will make your guests feel both relaxed and celebrated.

I know sometimes hosting people for dinner no matter what the occasion can be kind of scary because there are so many elements to remember…will the food taste good…do I have enough…is everyone going to feel comfortable with where they’re seated…are there any picky eaters at the table…are there appropriate beverages at the table…is the gravy lumpy…you know what I’m saying?

The thing is, most of the people that are gathered around the table won’t be thinking about any of that, they’ll just be happy to be sharing a meal with you.

While it’s easy to get caught up in the fluff, the one thing that makes dinner with friends, family, coworkers and neighbors feel special is that they feel welcomed.

It’s really as simple as that.

So, greet your guests with a big hug at the front door and tell them you’re happy they’re there. Then relax and spend the rest of the dinner laughing and making memories – even in the kitchen while you’re cleaning up.

For more seasonal tablescape inspiration, be sure to check out our Fall Inspired Outdoor Tablescape here and our Simple Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas here.  Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo