This article is all about how to make your Thanksgiving dinner table unforgettable this year. When you’re looking for easy Thanksgiving table decorations, Thanksgiving tablescape ideas, or just basic table setting, this article has you covered. Here’s how to make the most out of the room on your table, as well as traditional placemat setting and decor for the dinner table.
“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relations.” - Oscar Wilde
Traditional Table Setting
Many homeowners want a traditional placement of silverware for their thanksgiving feast. This involves placing everything in such a way similar to a fancy restaurant.
For those of you who don’t know how to set a formal table, the easiest way to remember place setting is to use the “FORKS” trick. Picture the word in your mind and allow it to dictate what silverware to place where:
- F - is for forks, to be placed on the left, small to large
- O - is for the plate, in the center
- R - just a placeholder, really
- K - for knives, placed in the order of salad, meat, and fish
- S - spoons, soup and then tea spoon
The only exception is the seafood fork, being placed all the way to the right after the spoons. Otherwise if you’re not intending to serve a certain type of food, simply leave it out of the placement. I.e. you won’t need a soup spoon if there’s no soup.
Harvest Inspiration
Some easy Thanksgiving table decorations can include items taken from the fall harvest. It doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive. Just consider having completely edible decor for your table. You can use the following ideas:
- A cornucopia
- Gourds
- Pumpkins
- Fruit
- Grapes
- Walnuts
- Apples
- Pears
- Corn
Natural Tabletop
Go all natural with your Thanksgiving tablescape ideas and use anything you can find outdoors as decor. This can involve branches, moss, twigs, and most importantly, fall leaves that are changing color. Spruce it up with some paint and glitter to make your own DIY project into table decor.
Spruce things up with a spruce tree
Tree branches are rarely used in decor, which is a shame because they can be turned into pretty much any DIY project you can conceive. Beautiful Thanksgiving table settings can be constructed with ease. Just pick up a few branches from outside and see where the project takes you.
Floral Arrangements and Centerpieces
Plants can also make for great Thanksgiving tabletop decorating ideas. Fall floral arrangements are simple ways to convey the hospitality and change found in the fall seasons. Be sure to have flowers, planter, and decor make up your inexpensive Thanksgiving table decorations. You can literally build your own centerpieces for free.
Use Gourds
One of the most distinguishing features of fall produce are gourds. Martha Stewart has some excellent Thanksgiving tablescape ideas involving gourds.
While these can be used as fresh produce, they can also be cured to become long-lasting interior decor that, while no longer edible, will not rot either. Nothing quite says a Thanksgiving dinner table like a gourd setup.
Try a Darker Palette
Finally, you can always just go a few shades darker in terms of color for your table decor. This is perfect for families who prefer red wine with their meals, and it can match any color scheme. You can create elegant Thanksgiving tablescapes that really make the vibrant colors of fall pop.
Any Thanksgiving table decorating tips you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more great tips and inspiration!
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