How to Set a Stunning Thanksgiving Table

Despite how stressful it can be, I absolutely love hosting Thanksgiving dinner. The holiday allows me to partake in all of my favorite activities: cooking, baking, decorating and organizing. The day before the big event I make sure I have my tables (two or three of them depending on the size of the guest list) set up so that on the day of all I have to focus on is food preparation. My kitchen is open to face my dining room, so looking at the tables all dressed up also serves to keep me motivated while I prepare the dishes I will serve.

Over the years I’ve made some changes to my table decor, but the overall vibe is always the same. I happen to love the farmhouse look with a hint of English/Irish/French country thrown in, but even if that’s not your style, there are some general tips that can help you elevate your table’s appearance. Hopefully, the following tips will help to make this year’s dining experience the best one yet!

10 Tips for Creating a Beautiful Thanksgiving Table:

1. Avoid paper products. I know guest lists can sometimes get out of control, and the idea of washing everything after dinner seems nightmarish, but using paper just takes all of the elegance out of the event. I speak from experience. One year, I tried buying fancy printed paper plates and the whole night I felt like I was at a fast food restaurant. Never again. If you don’t have enough dishes, you can borrow some or check out your local thrift store. They are sure to have beautiful sets that will last you for years and they are extremely inexpensive. Be sure your flatware and glassware are not disposable either. 

2. Use a table runner. For more formal dinners, I love the look of a seasonal table runner, especially if your table itself is a showpiece (if not, opt for a table cloth) . Sometimes I layer two runners (a narrower, shorter runner on top of a wider, longer one) to add some dimension and mix coordinating colors.

3. Light candles. Tapered candles in attractive candle holders on a dining table elevate the elegance factor instantly. Just be sure to never leave lit candles unattended!

4. Use place cards. I made my own years ago, which I decorated with real mini pinecones that I found in my yard and spray painted gold. They are beautiful and add an artsy sophisticated look. If you’re not crafty, you can buy some inexpensively online.

5. Include a centerpiece. Centerpieces are not only meant for weddings and they don’t have to include flowers, though I think flowers are beautiful. My advice is to keep the centerpiece below eye level so it doesn’t hinder conversations across the table or make it difficult to pass food around.

6. Use cloth napkins. I know-The wash! But, it’s only one night of the year (unless of course you use them year-round, which I do). Don’t forget some sort of napkin ring. You can use ribbon in a pinch. If you’re in the market for a beautiful, inexpensive set, you can buy one from Cherry Picked Crafts here.

7. Mix and match. I like to mix dishware sets on my tables. Over the years I have collected pieces from various sets which complement one another and I mix and match them to create a unified, but unique look. It certainly plays into the farmhouse/country vibe I prefer, but this approach could work for any style decor.

8. Pay attention to your electric lighting. They say “lighting is everything”. Even the most beautiful table will look less attractive if it is lit with the wrong temperature light. Soft, warm lighting creates a cozy, welcoming atmosphere which is exactly the effect you want to create for your guests.

9. Provide elbow room. It’s important that people don’t feel uncomfortable while eating. If this means you need to set up a second table, so be it. My house is on the small side, so on Thanksgiving Eve, my husband and I move some furniture out of the living room to make room for another wood table I bought from a thrift store years ago and we set it up in there. Even if all you have is a folding table, you can dress that up with a tablecloth (see tip 2) and make it work. We make the second table the “kids” table, though they’re not little kids anymore! It works out great – The adults enjoy their conversation and the younger folks can chat about what interests them. Thankfully, (no pun intended) we’re all technically in the same room because my dining room and living room take up one space. Figure out what works best in your home and make it happen. 

10. Play mood music. I know this is not technically a table decorating tip, but the right playlist really adds to your guests’ dining experience. I love cozy, fall, jazz vibes. You can find all sorts of playlists like this for free on Pandora, Spotify or Amazon (if you are a Prime member).

Once you have completed designing and setting up your space and your dishes are planned and prepared, please take a moment (however brief) to appreciate what you have created. So often the host/hostess does not get to enjoy the fruits of his/her labor, so even if it’s just for a split second, take it all in. It’ll be time to clean up before you know it!