Hosting thanksgiving? Here are my best tips on how to decorate a Thanksgiving table – whether you are having a casual or more formal family dinner!
Hosting Thanksgiving is a big endeavor. I am all about doing as many tasks in advance as possible.
One task that is easy to do the day before – or even sooner – is setting the Thanksgiving table!
Whether you are planning a formal meal with multiple forks or a more casual gathering with disposable plates, you can still set a pretty table!
How to Decorate a Thanksgiving Table
Here are the elements to consider when decorating your table for Thanksgiving!
Creating a color scheme
The first thing that you want to do when you are designing your Thanksgiving table is to set a color scheme.
Common thanksgiving color schemes include:
- brown
- tan
- red
- orange
- white/beige
However, use any color you prefer! I suggest that you look at the decor that you already have on hand and choose a color scheme that works with those items.
Ideally, choose 1 main color and 2-3 accent colors! Then, if you do any additional shopping or crafting, force yourself to stick to the color scheme!
Table Covering
Next you will want to decide what kind of table covering you want to use.
The most obvious answer is a tablecloth. Just be careful to select something easily washable – spills are likely on Thanskgiving!
Another option is a table runner. Table runners are more narrow than your table and just add a stripe of fabric across the space.
This can go on a bare table or on top of a tablecloth. I love that table runners add texture and a pop of pattern, but also make sure they are washable!
Finally, you can consider using placemats. These can be, once again, layered on top of a tablecloth or used on their own. Placemats are a great way to anchor pretty place settings!
Centerpiece
Next, you might choose to add a centerpiece to your table. This is something that sits in the middle of the table, often florals, candles, or another decor item.
Before you commit to a centerpiece, consider how you will serve food. Is it a buffet? Do you have dishes you want at the table? A large centerpiece might not leave enough room.
I also like to stay away from tall centerpieces which can block conversation across the table.
If you want a large or tall centerpiece, you might consider removing it when it’s time for dinner to be served!
I love using natural elements for a thanksgiving centerpiece – flowers, pine cones, acorns, or branches are a great option for fall. they can also be super budget friendly – just gather them in the yard! It’s a great job to assign to the kiddos – just make sure everything is clean and bug-free!
Be sure to check out all of my Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas!
Lighting
Don’t forget to consider lighting when setting up your dining space! An overhead light is fine, but you might prefer mood lighting!
This could be candles, string lights, or lanterns. They let off a warm glow that makes the whole space feel cozy and welcoming!
Place Settings
Finally, consider the place setting. This is the plate and cutlery for each individual.
A formal place setting might have a charger, a dinner plate, a salad plate, silverware, and a glass or two.
You can also set out napkins. They could be under the silverware or centered on the plate with a napkin ring!
If you plan to have people get their plates at the buffet line, you might still want to set out silverware and glasses at each spot.
Consider how your family prefers to serve themselves and plan accordingly!
Glassware
Don’t forget to consider the glasses you will have at dinner. A water glass for each place is a must!
If you plan to serve wine, decide based on the crowd if you should let people self-serve or assume everyone wants a glass at their place.
Have extra drinking glasses on hand if you plan to serve other drinks like tea, lemonade, or cocktails.
And don’t forget to have plastic cups – and straws, please! – if you are hosting small kids.
Place cards
Place cards are totally optional but a great way to make people feel special at Thanksgiving. You can simply fold a rectangle of paper in half for easy placecards.
Or, get creative and write names on leaves, gift tags, or even small crafts made by your kids!
The decorations on your Thanksgiving table aren’t what really matters. It’s all about being together on this special day.
But, if you want to make a beautiful table, hopefully these tips got you started in the right direction!
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Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!