Decor – Thanksgiving Table Decorations

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This season while shopping at the local craft stores I noticed that many home decorations featured different uses of burlap material.  So, this year I decided on a very different style of table for our Thanksgiving dinner.  Normally, I would set the table in a very formal style with our beautiful china, silver, crystal and lovely linens.  This year the table will be set in a more casual way with rustic decorations incorporating burlap materials  and softer colors, such as pale blue, sage green, ivory and brown.

The first of several layers of table linens was  an inexpensive ivory tablecloth.  Next, I added an overlay of burlap material in a lovely pale blue.  This unexpected color for the fall season goes beautifully with the chair pillows and other decorations in our dining room.  I was also creating a table centerpiece with artificial hydrangeas in a similar blue color which coordinated with the color of the burlap.  To finish the table linens, and too add a touch of softness, I added a vintage crocheted doily in ecru color.

The main decoration of our Thanksgiving table will be one of this month’s craft posts.  During the spring my husband/father-in-law were clearing out some of the trees in the forest next to our home and I had them save one of the logs for me.  I wanted to use the log as a base for a floral decoration and I thought Thanksgiving would be a great opportunity.  I used blue, gold hydrangeas and greenery to create the floral decoration and I found some inexpensive artificial mushrooms at the local craft store and scattered them among several candles placed on either side of the centerpiece.  I think the colors I used complement the table linens beautifully!  (Please check out the Craft Post, Rustic Table Centerpiece, for a supply list and instructions for the floral decoration)

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Next, I set each place setting with an ivory dinner plate, another smaller green plate, green salad bowl, silverware and glassware.  I used an ivory napkin with a green leaf napkin ring and placed a small burlap bag filled with candy into the salad bowl for a party favor.  It is always a good idea to have something special for your guests to take home after a luncheon or dinner party … of course for Thanksgiving our guests will also be taking home containers filled with leftover turkey, etc.!

To finish the table decorations I tied two colors of burlap “ribbon” to the dining room table chair backs.  I used the traditional brown color of burlap and a sage green color of burlap “ribbon” tied with green string.  This was the perfect way to finish the table decorations while adding another rustic element and also another way to incorporate burlap material into the table design.

The other decorations in the room included several glass acorn ornaments hanging from the chandelier on brown ribbons and the gold floral arrangement that is usually displayed on the dining room table throughout most of the year was place on the tea table across the room.  In the china cabinet, is a display of three Currier and Ives porcelain houses, small artificial pine trees and figurines set on a silver mirrored tray.

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Finally, I would like to mention three craft projects – the first two craft posts are Framed Floral Decorations and Glass Dome Arrangement which were posted in the month of August and one October craft post Jeweled Pumpkins.  The Framed Floral Decorations are hung above the side chairs on either side of the china cabinet, the gold roses and autumn leaves are the perfect decorative accent for the holiday.  The Glass Dome Arrangement now sits on the tall cabinet across the room and the rustic elements coordinate with the dining room table decorations.  The Jeweled Pumpkins are on display in the china cabinet.

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Classic Jeweled Pumpkin on display in china cabinet

Decor – Thanksgiving Table Decorations

On Thanksgiving morning Jeff is up early in the kitchen to prepare the turkey for the oven.  The smell of onions and celery cooking on the stove always brings back wonderful childhood memories – I loved waking up to the smell of my Mother fixing Thanksgiving dinner back home in California.  Another heavenly smell coming from the kitchen is the pumpkin pies baking in the oven and Jeff makes wonderfully delicious pumpkin pies but my favorite is his pumpkin cheesecake!  (Gosh, I’m suddenly hungry!)

In our house, we have an ongoing family joke – Jeff is in charge of all the cooking and I am in charge of the presentation and setting a beautiful table.  Jeff actually enjoys preparing Thanksgiving dinner so I’m lucky that I don’t have to cook! The decorations in our dining room usually start with a floral arrangement of golden roses in a lovely Tiffany crystal vase that stays on the dining room table all year. (The photo shown above was taken last year) I always add peasant feathers to the arrangement with several small pumpkins and gourds placed around to give it a fall festive look.  This Fall season I am making a Victorian inspired centerpiece with fruits and feathers, the rose floral arrangement will be moved to the family room.  I think the new Fall centerpiece looks lovely on our dining room table and adds the perfect elegant touch. (Please see last week’s Craft post for full instructions for the Fall Victorian Centerpiece shown in the photo below.) When I change the holiday decorations it allows me the chance to be creative and make something new to keep the process fresh every year!

Since Thanksgiving is a time to gather for a wonderful dinner and give thanks, I wanted to have a special decoration to honor and remember our families.  Living so far from everyone on the west coast, we rarely have the huge celebrations like we had back in California.  Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations were always the highlight of our holiday entertaining and we enjoyed having family and friends over to celebrate!  In the years since we moved to the Midwest, we have been very fortunate to spend Thanksgiving dinner with my Mother, Jeff’s Mother, Grandparents and also his Aunt and Uncle.  Many of those family members have passed away over the last few years and we miss them very much.  So, to complete the dining room decorations, there is a “Memory Tree” on the tea table.  This small tabletop pine tree is decorated with small family photo frames and golden feathers.  (Please see next week’s Craft post for directions on creating your own Memory Tree or Wreath as shown in the photo above.)

     

When the decorations are finished, I cover the table with an ivory tablecloth.  This year I will be using a lovely family crocheted tablecloth that I recently found in my Mother’s house.  I will set the table with our best china, vintage silverware and lovely crystal glasses.  Since my Mother recently passed away this year I will remember her when I set the table with the Noritake “Rothschild” china that she bought for our wedding.  I love the classic pattern and the colors are a lovely silver and muted blue.  For serving I will use pieces from my silver bowl and platter collection that I have loved finding in antique stores over the years.  When you take the time to set a beautiful table it honors your guests and lets them know the meal you celebrate together is special.

How do you set the table for your Thanksgiving meal?