5 Easy Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas - Holidays

Easy Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas: a Step by Step Guide

I was at Target the other day and noticed a beautiful blue glass out of the corner of my eye. Before I knew it, I found myself with a cart full of their fall home decor collection. I thought, okay, if I am going to take all this home with me for a photoshoot, let’s pick a theme. It took me all of two seconds to come up with this… super easy Thanksgiving table setting ideas! You can apply these steps to any kind of decor look you like whether that is rustic, glam, modern, retro, or bohemian. Last year’s tablescape was a bit more glam, this year I wanted something a little more rustic with braided placemats and a plaid table runner.

Step 1: Pick a Color Palette for your Thanksgiving Table Setting

Choose which colors you’d like to work with. For this year’stable setting, I decided to go with the jewel tone colors of these red and blue glasses. Thisplaid table runner complimented the colors nicely. Colors such as white, black and metallics (gold/silver) are considered neutrals and can be used with any colors.

Step 2: Gather all the Materials you’ll need for your Thanksgiving Table Setting

Before you run to Target or the craft store, take inventory of what you already have at home. I pulled out all my candles, glasses, plates, napkins, tablecloths, twine, etc that I thought I may want to work with.

Decide if you want a table runner, chargers or placemats. Tablecloth or no tablecloth? Napkin rings or if you want to simply tie the napkins with twine. The types of candles you want to use: candlesticks or tealight candles? I like to have everything symmetrical on both sides of the table with a centerpiece to tie it all together.

Accessories for your table can include things like candles, pumpkins, leaves, garland, and twine. A quick trip to a grocery store, craft store or your garden to get more table accessories is all you’ll need.

The leaves you see on the table and around the flower vase were cut from a garland I bought at Michaels Craft Store.

Step 3: Decide What You’ll Need for your Thanksgiving Table Setting

Part of the set up is knowing which utensils, glassware, and dinnerware to use. What kinds of dishes will you be serving? What kinds of utensils and dinnerware will guests need? I’m reusing a few pieces from last year’s ThanksgivingTable Setting here because I am going to have a similar menu. It’s also useful to brush up on the proper table set up. Here’s a quick guide for you.

Step 4: Practice Run your Thanksgiving Table Setting

The last thing you want to have happen is to realize the day of that you’re missing something for your Thanksgiving tablescape. I like to set everything up a day or so beforehand to make sure I am not missing anything and to see how it all comes together. I’ll switch out plates, placemats, chargers, and glasses to see which setting I like the best. Then take a photo of the set up (in case you have to put everything aside and reset up the day of.)

Step 5: Add your personal touch to your Thanksgiving Table Setting

Name cards are an easy way to add your own personal touch and can be as simple to create as writing on a piece of paper or buying cute nameplates. I decided to write everyone’s name on a leaf cut off from a garland with a gold paint marker. Plus, name cards help to eliminate that awkward moment when no one’s sure where to sit (or keeping certain in-laws away from each other!) You can also write the name of each guest on a little pumpkin.

Just remember that you’ll have to remove a few items from the table once the food starts being passed around. It’s all about first impressions and a beautiful ThanksgivingTable setting is a great way to “ooo and ahhh” your hungry guests.

Make sure to check out my10 Tips for hosting a dinner partyand myfall home tour for more decorating and entertaining ideas!

As always, thank you for reading and happy decorating!

xoxo,

Laura

SHOP THIS THANKSGIVING TABLE SETTING IDEAS:

My Outfit: Eliza J dress | NYC and Co. necklace

Photos byTaylor Schroeder

5 Easy Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas - Holidays | Laura Lily (2024)