We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
As you plan the tablescape upon which your Thanksgiving dinner will be presented, look to autumn’s stunning natural bounty and colors for inspiration. Earthy green, orange, and red tones can help set the scene, but natural elements like leaves, flowers, pinecones, and foliage, are what will really deliver the “natural abundance” vibe. The best part? Decor that you bring in from outdoors is compostable and inexpensive, if not free.
1. Cork Leaves
If you don’t have a ready supply of real leaves, consider creating some of your own, like DIY Candy does. These were made with stencils and thin sheets of cork (both of which you can purchase at craft supply stores). In addition to adding style, these leaves also serve as handy, decorative trivets. You can also purchase premade cork leaf coasters if you don’t want to make them.
2. Good Enough to Eat
Short on time? According to A Beautiful Mess, a beautiful centerpiece can be assembled quickly from items found in the produce department at the grocery store: Group colorful fruits, like oranges, tangerines and pomegranates. Sprinkle green pistachios and sprigs of fresh rosemary along the middle of the table to create the illusion of a decorative runner. When dinner is over, invite your guests to partake of the fruit and nuts as a post-feast treat, or save the tastiest morsels and place them in your kitchen fruit bowl.
3. Eucalyptus
The curves of a pumpkin’s stem makes it a natural choice for tabletop decor. Give your simple squash an unexpected twist, as A Night Owl blog does, by attaching a piece of eucalyptus and a nametag to the stem and fashioning a place card. You can purchase faux eucalyptus stems to use for your DIY decor year after year.
4. Harvest Array
Butternut squash is probably in season now at your local farmers market. Bring this culinary hero to the table by featuring it in a Thanksgiving centerpiece, as blog A Piece of Rainbow does here. When placed in a nest of moss and pinecones, it makes a rustic statement.
5. Floating Fruit
This simple yet stunning idea from Cherished Bliss isn’t the typical way of serving Thanksgiving cranberries, but it’s certainly stylish. Float a tea light candle atop a handful of fresh cranberries in a water-filled vase. For extra pizzazz, add a sprig of eucalyptus to the water and dip the base of the vase in metallic paint. Or, skip the extras and let the bright berries shine on their own!
6. Fall Fruit
The autumn harvest days spent at the local apple orchard might be behind us, but America’s favorite fruit still has a place in your Thanksgiving festivities. Place apples (always in groups of three) of any variety at different places along your table runner, and fill in with pillar candles and faux or real greenery for a rich display.
7. Pumpkin-Free Decorating
If you’re burned out on pumpkin-themed decor and pumpkin spice-flavored everything, take a cue from Cupcakes and Cashmere blogger: Swap out the ubiquitous squash for an unexpected edible. Persimmons, for example, are of a similar size, shape, and color but bring a beauty to the table that is distinctly their own.
8. Put Pears to Work
Cristina Garay at RemodelaCasa uses pears as a beautiful addition to a natural Thanksgiving tabletop display. Add it to an edible centerpiece or place it atop your guest’s place, on its own or with a name card, as an extra touch of hospitality. If, by lucky coincidence, someone has sent you some Harry & David pears for the holiday, why not put them to work before eating them?
9. Paint Your Pumpkins
Russet, crimson, mustard, and brown: These colors typify the Thanksgiving tablescape, but that doesn’t mean you can’t think outside the box when it comes to your holiday centerpiece. Follow the lead of the blog It All Started with Paint and paint seasonal squash in the color palette of your choice to marry tradition with contemporary style for a look that captures your personality. Or, purchase a set of painted faux pumpkins to use for your holiday table settings every year.
10. Autumn Leaves
Nature offers an abundance of color this time of year, so use it to your advantage. At the StoneGable blog, napkins are topped with golden-hued leaves, which you can buy online or pluck from your lawn. The centerpiece of tall and short vases and white pumpkins carry through on the theme.
11. Succulents and Seasonal Plants
Design Dazzle’s basket of seasonal bounty may look like a headache to assemble, but many of the makings of this Thanksgiving display can be found in your own garden beds. If you do choose to forage in your backyard for your tabletop display, be sure to shake, wash or brush off the greenery, then let it sit for a couple of days before placing it on the table.
12. Amazing Maize
Normally hung on a door this time of year, Indian corn can be a beautiful addition to the Thanksgiving Day table. Here, the corn is placed atop plates, along with a seasonal card, to bring color and life to neutral stoneware.
13. Adorn Yours With Acorns
The squirrels in your backyard already know the secret: Acorns are everywhere at this time of year, so there’s no reason not to bring them to the harvest table. Use them as fillers in glass containers or, if you are ready to recreate this DIY craft from Hello Little Home, make acorn napkin ties like those shown here.
14. Waves of Grain
Golden-hued wheat is certainly a symbol of the season and the Thanksgiving table. Create miniature sheaves bound with ribbon, as did the blogger at Carolyn’s Homework, or simply use the wheat to create a casual centerpiece of candles, gourds and fruit.
17. Pumpkin Place Names
A pie pumpkin, placed atop a dinner plate, makes a wonderful place marker for the Thanksgiving table. Using a paint marker, write your guests’ names on the front of a pumpkin, and set it carefully at each person’s place. It’s a simple gesture but makes for a natural gift they can take with them when they leave and enjoy again, when added to their own homemade centerpieces.
18. Birds of a Feather
The traditional holiday bird won’t be the only scene stealer this season, when you add feather and cork place cards to your Thanksgiving table. Feathers, corks, and ribbon can be purchased at your local craft store; bind them together to create the look, then watch the expression on everyone’s faces when they marvel at your crafty tablescape.
15. Bold Blooms
Bright and cheery, let a sunflower bloom greet each guest when they sit down at the table. Place one inside a folded napkin atop each guest’s plate. For less formal buffet dinners, float a couple flowers in a bowl of water, then place the bowl on a tray filled with rolls of silverware. When your guests go through the line, they’ll see the sunny arrangement and smile.
16. Fallen Leaves
For a touch of whimsy, sprinkle a handful of fallen leaves over your tablescape. Not for neat freaks, this fanciful display evokes a walk in the woods. However, if you’re playing host to grandma (who never did quite approve of your slapdash cleaning routine), nix this one from your Thanksgiving idea file.
17. Fall Branches
Branches create a natural centerpiece, and a dramatic statement in this country chic home. If you still have trees and shrubs with autumn-colored leaves, consider pruning a selection to decorate your Thanksgiving Day table. Just remember to keep them a reasonable height for dining, or remove them when the meal is served.
18. Print Your Decor
Evoke the beauty of nature, without giving the kids ammo with which to torture their cousins: This Thanksgiving printable from Kiki & Company makes an adorable addition to the kids’ table and lends a little fanciness to the little ones’ big meal.
19. Flowers Abound
This modern take on a table runner proves that order and symmetry might be overrated. Ruch and wrinkle your runner just so, and nestle vases of bright flowers and little pumpkins among the folds of the fabric for a perfectly imperfect arrangement.
20. Light Your Gourds
Even after Halloween, pumpkin-carving season persists. Make these clever little votive holders by hollowing out a mini pumpkin and placing a tea light inside. Leave the outside of the pumpkin natural, or gild it with gold-colored paint. The 36th Avenue has the tutorial.
21. Pinecones on Plates
Sometimes simple is best. This understated table setting pairs a single pinecone with dinner plate and charger for an autumnal display that’s perfect for Thanksgiving.
22. Bright and White
Pumpkins and gourds make great table decorations at a big fall meal. That includes white pumpkins, too! Here, a grouping of faux white pumpkins and other natural-hued elements set a distinctive Thanksgiving Day table, but it would look just as nice with naturally white (or painted) pumpkins.
23. Walnut Place Cards
Walnuts and pecans are back on the menu at this time of year, so add them to your Thanksgiving table settings for a festive touch. A handful of walnuts gives a name card a boost on this rustic display.
24. Leaves and Light
Illumine the simple beauty of natural (or faux) foliage with an arrangement of white pillar candles of varying heights. When the candles start to drip on the kraft paper tablecloth, you’ll know it’s time for pie.
25. Wood Slice Chargers
A wooden charger brings a rustic sensibility to a Thanksgiving table of crystal and silver. You can make your own from wood rounds available at most craft stores. Apply wood stain to the rounds or leave them plain for a touch of woodland whimsy.
26. Edible Arrangement
Another edible arrangement, this one brings together winter seasonal vegetables and fruit (like cabbage and pomegranates) with other colorful picks like bell peppers, globe grapes, and red radishes. Place your produce in a wooden trough or long basket and fill in with parsley and greenery for a unique centerpiece that you can turn into next week’s salad.
27. Evergreen
Who says evergreens are only for Christmas? Break out the boughs early and fashion them into a delightful place marker. This one from In Honor of Design is made from a couple sprigs of rosemary tied with string.
28. Couple Copper with Copper
Nature and artifice combine in this stunning Thanksgiving tablescape. Clear and copper candle holders are complemented with white pumpkins adorned with stripes copper-colored tape, while a patterned table runner continues the theme.
29. Board Runner
A study in sturdiness, this table runner from Blooming Homestead is nothing more than a pine board stained an elegant dark brown. When laid atop the Thanksgiving table and topped with pinecones, adornments, and a vase full of wheat, it evokes and warmth and cheer.
30. Mighty Mums
Mums are the official flower of fall, so give them a spot at the Thanksgiving table. Place small vases of the blooms all along the length of the table for a short centerpiece that’s easy to peer over but still makes a big—and beautiful—statement.
The post 30 Easy, Festive Ways to Dress Up Your Thanksgiving Table appeared first on Bob Vila.