Christmas is all about the tree, Easter celebrates Pinterest-perfect eggs, but at Thanksgiving, your table needs to be a thing to behold (okay, and maybe Instagram a little). After all, most of the holiday is just sitting, enjoying the company of others, eating, and taking in the table scenery. Give them something to look at.
I've come up with five ways to think about your table, along with suggestions for getting creative and adding that little extra something-something.
Use Fall Colors … With a Twist
Fall colors are as obvious a Thanksgiving table theme as the turkey itself, but there's no denying that the, browns and mustard yellows are beautiful. A gorgeous tablecloth, some small pumpkins and succulents, and maybe a couple of festive Thanksgiving figurines, and your table is set. I even had chairs to match!
TIP: Raid your craft closet when setting your Thanksgiving table. The small flags in the pumpkins added a little something extra special to the table, with very little work. It's all about the details when trying to wow guests. These flags were part of my part of my scrapbook stash, but they look perfect on my Thanksgiving table.
Go Literal and Traditional … With a Turkey
Okay, not everyone has access to a taxidermy turkey like my mother. But people always walk away from her Thanksgiving meal remembering not what the turkey tasted like, but what the turkey centerpiece looked like. That is not a bad thing (especially if you're not a master turkey cook).
If you go traditional, any turkey will work. Turkey props are found at most big box stores, and even some thrift stores if you get lucky.
TIP: Though this centerpiece is spectacular, it is big. Really, really big. Remember that you don't want a centerpiece to be so large that people can't see over it. It should not be a dividing wall that prohibits conversation, but an amazing conversation starter.
Make Friendsgiving Your Theme
Recently, I got to host a mock Friendsgiving with Austin's House Proud host Amy Hadley. We discussed so many upsides to having a Friendsgiving if you aren't able to celebrate with family.
If you don't know the proper way to set the table, it's okay, because your friends probably don't either. There are no rules, so express yourself! I like to wow my friends with other aspects on your table like easy-to-make "Mohawk clementines" with sage, decorative wrapping paper as a table runner, and plenty of fresh flowers.
TIP: Friendsgiving is an event for "orphans," which likely means a group of friends who all are saving plane ticket money. Keep costs down by enlisting those friends to help, and make this event a potluck.
Go Eclectic
My entire home is eclectic, so why would I set a Thanksgiving table any differently? The nice thing about going this route with your table is that there is no right or wrong way to do it.
Use mix-matched chairs; the more, the merrier. Don't have a tablecloth? A large piece of fabric works fine, too. Pull in things from around your house, like tribal baskets, bouquets of arrows, and more. With the eclectic look, it is completely acceptable to mix '50s dishes, paper napkins, and retro plastic plate chargers.
TIP: Up the funk factor if you go this route. Just a few mix-matched items will look out of place. To pull this look together, go all or nothing. Make the juxtaposition as obvious as your turkey is juicy.
Let Nature do the Talking
A hike in nature can serve as inspiration for your Thanksgiving table. Smooth stones painted and labeled with guests' names are an easy 10-minute detail to add. Painted twigs and branches in a vase, instead of flowers, looks just as beautiful.
My favorite craft project as of late is this table runner I made by laminating fall leaves. Some are from my own yard and others are brought back from a fall trip to Ohio. The lamination protects the leaves and makes them sturdy enough to set a giant bowl of mashed potatoes on.
TIP: If you don't live near pinecones or acorns, try visiting your local craft store. Most have a section with all kinds of fall foliage real and fake.
So what kind of Thanksgiving table are you going to set?
Check out more fun by Jennifer Perkins on her blog.
