The Art of The Thanksgiving Table

The holiday season is by far my most favorite time of year.  As soon as Halloween is over, I start planing Fall gatherings with family and friends, autumn decorations for the house, and of course, the Thanksgiving menu!  But, before I begin even thinking about the food, I start daydreaming about the tablescape for the big meal!

There are so many directions and options to choose from when it comes to creating your holiday table.  The possibilities are truly endless!  Maybe it’s my Southern roots, but, I’m a big fan of dining etiquette when it comes to meals like these.(especially when it comes to sitting down at a large dining table in a separate dining room- as opposed to the “eat in front of the TV while watching football” type meal which my family has been known to do a time or two)

The best part about a big dining table is that you can create an amazing tablescape!  A great tablescape just seems to make for a more dramatic production.  I also love to mix in some elements that help make it not quite so formal, and more relaxed.  Above all, you want your guests to feel welcome and comfortable.

As you put together your place settings, there are two layouts that I like to use as guides. You can use variations of each, depending on the type of meal, and your menu.

Here are a few more place setting layouts for different meals.  Just as there are different meals throughout the day, there are also appropriate place settings for each meal.  I also like like to mix and match these depending on what I’m serving!

 

Here are some great examples of fun Fall place settings.  I love how they mix and match a bunch of different patterns, textures and materials.  That is the best way to do a table so not everything is so matchy and stuffy!

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite types of centerpiece for holiday tables are ones that are relatively low in height.  I’ve found that it’s much more conducive for your guests to be able to converse with each other if the table center piece doesn’t impede their view of the people sitting across the table from them.  I also like to use up as much of the “dead space” left on the table as possible, so I like to make my center pieces run the length of the table.

These tablescapes have a great contemporary feel, while still holding on to classic Thanksgiving elements.  I just love the soft colors of the gourds with simple, basic white table linens, flatware and stemware.

 

 

Another great way to set your table for the holidays, or, for any time of the year, is to mix and match different china patterns!  I have a few different sets that are all completely unique, and I love layering the different colors, patterns and shapes.  It really makes for a diverse table!

And how about doing the unexpected with your Thanksgiving color scheme this year? I love how this atypical Fall scheme incorporates a yummy teal blue and brassy gold to boot!

Another great way to add a personal flare to your table, is adding name place cards at each table setting.  I always love to go to a dinner party and see my name on a cute card next to my appointed seat!  Below are a few of my favorites for Thanksgiving.  This is such a fun and easy idea, and, you can almost make a place card holder out of anything!

Hope these ideas have inspired your table for tomorrow.  Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!!