Clever Ideas for Setting a Beautiful Thanksgiving Table

A Thanksgiving table laid with creativity and care becomes a sumptuous feast for the eyes. Here are three decor ideas — from trendy to classic — to help inspire your Thanksgiving table settings this year. We’ve included easy DIY info and shopping tips so you can round up the makings of a beautiful table.

On-Trend: Vintage Thrift

Mid-century thrift store finds bring the fun to this eclectic table setting. Don’t stress over mismatched flatware; it just makes each piece that much more special. Take a hike through a park to gather a basketful of leaves, branches, and acorns for a casual chic centerpiece courtesy of Mother Nature.

On-trend Thanksgiving ideas: squirrel salt & pepper shakers, Mr. Turkey table linens, textured glass water pitcher

Ideas:

• Hunt down wildlife-themed salt and pepper shakers at a thrift store, or find some at Pottery Barn or Pier 1 Imports.
• Add retro design touches, like these Mr. Turkey table linens from World Market.
• Show how well you’re adulting when you pour water from a pitcher instead of straight from the tap. Try this stylish Textured Glass Pitcher from H&M Home.

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Tips for Thanksgiving newbies: How to Host Your First Thanksgiving

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Classic: To Grandmother’s House We Go

Setting a classic table steeped in history and tradition could start with the kind of toile-patterned dishware popular during 18th-century colonial United States. Here, they’re paired with pewter chargers and white linen napkins for an elegant flourish. To save the scene from visual overload, balance patterned plates with plain serving dishes — or the other way around.

Classic Thanksgiving ideas: turkey toile platter, kraft paper placemats, turkey salt & pepper shakers

Ideas:

• Bring a touch of tradition to the table with a Plymouth Turkey Toile Platter from Williams-Sonoma.
• These Happy Turkey Kraft Paper Placemats from Crate and Barrel give the kids’ table a fun distraction. You can easily DIY this idea with a roll of plain brown paper cut into place mats or laid down the table like a runner.
• Turkey Salt and Pepper Shakers from Pottery Barn will become one of those quirky accessories you unearth for your T-Day table every year.

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Here’s how to host a successful Thanksgiving potluck so you can share the cooking and bring many different traditions to the table.

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New Classic: Urban Farmhouse

This updated take on classic Thanksgiving style is a mix of clean, cool, and crafty. Here, a minimal color palette combines autumn warmth with sophisticated white to create a decidedly modern vibe; while natural elements such as leaves and branches bring the outdoors in, even if you’re smack dab in the middle of a big city. If you’ve got a little time, let DIY embellishments showcase your creativity.

New Classic Thanksgiving ideas: Thanksgiving wreath, pumpkin place card, pumpkin tureen

Ideas:

• Create a circle of gratitude with paper leaves your guests can write on and fasten to a plain vine wreath.
• Use mini pumpkins for table setting place cards. Stencil or paint with names, or tie paper tags to the stems.
• Serve soup in a whimsical pumpkin tureen from Williams-Sonoma.

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Table-Setting Tips

• Ever wonder where the bread plate goes? Find out how to set a dinner table like a pro. Mr. Carson would be so proud.
• No need to spend a bundle on special Thanksgiving tableware; just work with what you already have and add touches of color and simple accessories to give it a harvest theme.
• If you can, set your table the day before Thanksgiving to cross that task off your to-do list. If setting the table ahead of time isn’t practical, you should at least gather the pieces you need to streamline the task come Thanksgiving day.
• Keep your centerpieces at or below eye-height so people can see each other across the table.
• It’s tempting to go all out, but don’t go overboard: fussy tables might be Pinterest-bait, but they can also take away from the friendly, welcoming vibe you’re going for. It’s all about balance, right?

Related Thanksgiving Inspiration

• Need to know how to cook a turkey? We’ve got you covered.
• Get help planning every important detail of your Thanksgiving dinner, from menu ideas to make-ahead dishes, and wine-pairing tips to dessert buffets.
• When things go a little sideways, these Thanksgiving disaster-savers will help fix your feast.
• Get all the Thanksgiving recipes you need for the biggest feast of the year.

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