Thanksgiving Tablescape Tips

Setting a beautiful table is one of my favorite things about the holidays! With Thanksgiving around the corner, I wanted to share a few tips to help you set your table and get prepared.

Be creative

Your tablescape doesn’t haven’t to look like a photo you saw in a magazine or on Pinterest. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money either! You can use the inside of brown paper grocery bags as placemats. Cut out a fun shape and iron on a low setting for inexpensive placemats. Step outside and forage for greenery—pine, evergreen, boxwoods, and magnolias all make great choices. Produce from the grocery store can make beautiful centerpieces, too—herbs, squash, and carrots with the tops still on are all great options—it’s all about being grateful for the harvest!

Be resourceful

I’m always on the hunt for beautiful table-setting finds. I look at thrift stores and garage sales for pieces that catch my eye. While flatware is usually harder to find and more expensive, you can occasionally score amazing deals on sets of china! And remember—everything doesn’t have to match. Use what you have and keep your eye out for pieces that fit a certain color scheme or theme while you are out shopping. A unique table can be a conversation starter and will tell a story that will be remembered by your guests!  

Keep it simple

If you don’t have time to forage, shop, or get creative, that’s okay! Simplicity is always elegant. Stick to the basics: there is nothing wrong with white placemats, clear glassware, and everyday flatware. Consider little-used items you may already own, that can add a little something extra to the table. Do you have a set of your grandmother’s teacups tucked away in a cabinet? Pull them out and use them for a dessert course! Do you have a beautiful set of soup bowls? Use them, even if you aren’t serving soup—who says you can’t put a salad in them instead?

A few last Thanksgiving tips:

Prep ahead of time. I prefer to lay out all the serving dishes on Monday and use tent cards to write what will go on each platter. When I do this, I make sure that the platters are clean and ready to use—and that I haven’t forgotten any essential ingredients on my grocery list! Whether you start on Monday or the day before, any prep work you can take care of ahead of time will make Thanksgiving Day run more smoothly—which makes it more enjoyable for you.

Be ready with to-go boxes and Sharpies, so you can send your guests off with leftovers (and save your family from ending up with more leftovers than you can possibly eat).  

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tablescape tip? Or, do you have a great Thanksgiving meal prep tip? Let me know in the comments!