The center of family celebrations, particularly at Thanksgiving, is the table. Yes, the turkey is the real star of the day, and the other foods are a close second, but the table sets the tone for the whole event. Thanksgiving tables are decorated in as many ways as there are people, and there is no right or wrong way to do it, only your way. For me, decorating the table is fun and an extension of the love and gratitude that comes from eating together.
When decorating a table, I like to start with the dishes. Often, they are the most expensive part of the table setting, and most people don’t have the funds to buy new dishes for each season or holiday, nor do they have the space to store multiple sets of dinnerware between the seasons. Look at your dishes. Are you going to use your everyday dinnerware? The set that you save for special occasions? Are you going to pull out Grandma’s china, the way she did for every holiday?
If none of these apply and you’re in the market for new dishes, I recommend a simple design in a neutral color. This will allow you maximum versatility when decorating your table for special occasions throughout year. Clear stemware will complement any type of dinnerware.
Once you have decided on your dishes, think about table linens. Are you going to use a tablecloth? Placemats for each person? Prints or solids? A simple elegance can come from draping the table with a solid cloth and adding contrasting runners across the table.
If you prefer a more casual look, leave off the tablecloth and place a centerpiece mat on the table. Then, place a contrasting charger beneath the dinner plates. Next come the napkins. Matching napkins to your tablecloth will have a more formal look; contrasting napkins will keep it a bit more casual and add fun touches of color.
Centerpieces draw attention to the table faster than anything else. Thanksgiving centerpieces are traditionally done in harvest colors and crafted of natural elements. Twigs, gourds, autumn leaves, and shocks of dried grasses can work together to create a lovely harvest centerpiece. To shake things up, consider creating your centerpiece in a hollowed-out pumpkin or a soup tureen. As a general rule, centerpieces should be kept either narrow or low, so that people across the table can still carry on a conversation with one another.
If the centerpieces are what draw eyes to the table, it’s the finishing touches that keep them there. Look at your individual place settings and ask what you can do to make each place inviting. Consider tying a ribbon around the napkin in place of a ring. Add a place card to each seat. Use a combination of pillar, taper, and votive candles in groups around the table. Perhaps you want to add a small favor to each plate. The possibilities are endless, so have fun and make the table a reflection of you.
