Decorating Ideas for Your Thanksgiving Table

Fall is in the air and it’s only a few weeks until Thanksgiving!  If you are hosting this wonderful dinner, you are to be congratulated.  And, you may want a few ideas for your tablescape. So, here are some ideas to help you get ready for the big day:

1. You can either make or purchase a fall-inspired or Thanksgiving centerpiece. Make one yourself by using a traditional cornucopia centerpiece with fruit or a fall floral arrangement made with clippings from your garden! Believe it or not, my mums and marigolds are still in bloom! Or, you can then scatter some fall leaves from your yard, very small pumpkins, berries or nuts on the table around the centerpiece to highlight it around your centerpiece (remember to wash your yard-treasures thoroughly before adding them to your table). If you don't feel adventurous in making your own arrangement, then I encourage you to get one from a local florist.

2. You can add candles to your table in fall colors - shades of gold, rust, burgundy, green or browns - or use a set of rustic wooden or metal candleholders to decorate your table. Another suggestion - you can use the candles as a centerpiece.  

If you use candleholders as your centerpiece, you can arrange autumn foliage, wheat sprigs, berries, nuts, and mini pumpkins and other seasonal vegetables around the base. And now, we have many beautiful battery-operated lights that can be intermingled in with your natural treasures, and you don’t run the risk of starting a fire! 

3. In lieu of a vase, use a large, hollowed-out pumpkin to display your floral centerpiece. Scatter sprigs of wheat, clusters of berries, nuts and autumn leaves around the base of the pumpkin.  Brighten up traditional floral arrangements by adding a few LED lights on twigs into the arrangement.  Just remember to make room for the battery pack at the bottom of the vase or container. It makes a beautiful arrangement!

4. Set your table with a tablecloth, table runner, place mats and napkins in the colors of fall – gold, rust, burgundy, bronze - in prints and/or coordinating solids. To avoid a cluttered appearance and to highlight your centerpiece, be careful not to use too many prints on your table.

5. Use napkin rings that reflect the season as well or you can slip a twig of wheat or fall foliage into the fold of the napkin. You can also coordinate the napkin rings, with a similar autumn-inspirited motif, into the table scape.

6. If you have good china or dishes that have autumn motifs and/or colors, suggest that you coordinate them with the colors and other elements of your table's decorations.

7. Finally, beautiful maple leaves (or other suitable leaf) or a mini-pumpkin can be used as place cards for your guests! If you use leaves, please rinse leaves carefully and pat dry. Once dry, write each guest's name on the leaf or mini-pumpkin with a black or gold felt-tip pen.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Decorating!