Creating festive tablescapes doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. For years I would take a walk with scissors and a bag after the table/tables were set and the turkey was roasting. I would gather objects like leaves: pinecones, seed pods, branches, and flowers. I would haul it all home and then lay it out in a coordinated fashion on the table runner or cloth. I would nestle in candles and tealights, and that would be it!
These days I tend to get a little more elaborate than using the neighbor’s leaves & twigs but I still keep it pretty simple. Here are my 5 tips for creating a Thanksgiving tablescape.
1. Coordinate with your Home's Existing Color Pallet.
If your home is mostly neutral keep your tablescape mostly neutral with soft pops of color. If you use blue or mustard yellow in your home incorporate shades of those colors! Pumpkins can be painted or purchased in almost any color these days!
2. Shop the Produce Isle
The produce section of your grocery store is an excellent source for seasonal items like pumpkins, gourds, pomegranates, berries, corn stalks, apples, pears, herbs, and flowers!
3. Think Outside the Box for Tabe Cloths & Runners
Try layering blankets, scarves, and linens made from flannel, burlap, knit, velvet, or even a canvas dropcloth! (washed first of course)
4. Keep it Low
You can find design inspiration on Pinterest galore but think twice about those pumpkins on pedestals standing tall. While those kinds of tablescapes can be great for seasonal decor they can be a disaster when trying to have a conversation with the people seated across the table from one another. According to event planners, 10-12 inches is the maximum height to allow conversation. You can read more here. You can also go super tall (above 24″) but need a large table to pull a look like this off.
5. Pay Attention to Lighting
Lighting can enhance or detract from the mood depending on the brightness and source. I think candles are a must in order to create a relaxed and festive vibe. You can use several tea lights in pretty tea light holders or mason jars with short candles. Candle stick holders and glass containers can be picked up at the Dollar Tree or you can search on Etsy for something handcrafted and special. Whatever you choose, make sure your candles are unscented! This is very important when dining near candles. You don’t want the fragrance from a candle to interfere with the aromas from your dinner!
Whatever you choose it does not have to be perfect! I believe the art of imperfection actually puts people at ease. Thankfully the styles of the day are far more relaxed than the traditional styles of the past (silver, crystal and china anyone?) I hope that you are inpired to create a simple Thanksgiving tablescape for your family and friends.