Elegant and Effortless: Creating Timeless Thanksgiving Tablescapes

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time to celebrate and enjoy the company of friends and family. It’s also the start of the holiday season when there are many moments to invite those you care about into your home. Making home feel welcoming during this season can be overwhelming with a need to plan meals and travel and gifts all at the same time. With the table being the heart of every thanksgiving celebration, I hope that these few tips that I use in my home will help bring some peace and heart into your home.

The first thing I think about in creating a welcoming and warm thanksgiving table is the base. No matter what color or style or size your dining table is, it needs a good base. A cream linen tablecloth or table runner is the perfect place to start. The cream color lends itself well to many styles and the linen brings warmth and comfort. Basic table linens are always one of the most affordable and timeless ways to add something different to your table. A linen tablecloth or runner will last for years and truly never go out of style.

From this base we can start to add the accents. For a small table, it’s best to keep it minimal. Not necessarily in style, but in quantity. A table will feel bigger when it is not overwhelmed but too many vases and plants and other decor. For thanksgiving, a couple amber vases with a few sprigs of greenery works well to bring color and interest, while maintaining an open and inviting table. The warm amber color mixed with the bright green will create an inviting atmosphere, something you and your guests won’t forget.

Now for the more practical items. Antique plates, bowls, and glasses are my favorite way to add a touch of interest into a table scape without overwhelming the space with clutter. For thanksgiving, sage green goblets or burnt orange china from the antique store bring a warmth of knowing they’ve served many a meal before you. 

You could add candles or pumpkins, but the more you add, the more you take away from what’s truly important in the room: being together. There is no better memory to last a lifetime than sitting around a table with your loved ones, enjoying good food and good conversation. I hope that these ideas will give you the keys to creating a timeless thanksgiving tablescape.

I’ll give an early toast to all of us preparing for the holidays, whether it be thanksgiving or Kawanza or Christmas. May your days be filled with joy knowing the laughter and contentment that will fill your home and your heart with long lasting memories. Cheers!