Want a warm and cozy Thanksgiving table without stressing about plates to rent, steaming tablecloths and if you have enough wine glasses?! I have just the thing with these Warm and Cozy Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas! You'll have a simple, but beautiful tablescape (and yes, those dishes are plastic!). No dishes, no problem!
I've hosted Thanksgiving for the past few years, which means I've learned a few tips and tricks on how to decorate the Thanksgiving table without having to invest in the fine porcelain dinner plates.
The first year, I rented everything from tables, to glassware; and while it was very pretty, I spent a decent amount of money for only 2 hours (if we're being honest!). The past two years, I've taken on a more simplistic approach that weighs the benefits of buying versus renting and plastic versus porcelain. Keep reading to find out all of my tips and tricks to get your tablescape into the warm and cozy tablescape of your Thanksgiving dreams!
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No one likes doing dishes on a regular night, but on Thanksgiving when that turkey kicks in, no one, and I mean NO ONE wants to wash the fine dining plates.
Why You'll Love This Tablescape
This tablescape is one of my favorites because it mixes the idea of rustic and simplicity which are two of my favorite things! In my eyes, rustic is another way of saying "relax, this does not need to be perfect." It pairs plastic plates with a warm and cozy centerpiece that sets the scene for your holiday meal. Not to mention the centerpiece can be from pieces found in your own backyard! Keep reading for more Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas!
Pairing Textures
One thing that I love to do when I'm decorating whether that's a tablescape, a living room, you name it, I love to play with different textures! I love the idea of the wooden table with the cloth napkins, the woven chargers to the gold silverware. It just takes everything to the next level, where it's a bit nicer than regular dinner, but not too much! This can be as simple as putting a runner down your regular kitchen table. Or buying cloth napkins to use with the plates you already have in your kitchen.
Playing with different textures on your tablescape allows you to work with what you already have but elevated just slightly!
For example, I already have a wooden table, so I'm going to use that as my texture that I can enhance with a runner, but I don't have to go out and buy a tablecloth!
Things to Buy
- Plates - I like to buy dinner plates and dessert plates!
- Plastic Silverware
- Drinkware
- Tablerunner
- Candles
- Napkins
These are the basic items I try to get and stock up on through the years! The one thing I love about buying cloth napkins is that you can toss them in the washer and use them again and again! Click here for the whole list!
All of these items can be found in my Amazon Storefront! This post does contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through my storefront! Please note that all of these items are ones I've purchased before and recommend!
When to Set Up
When it comes to decorating your table, I recommend setting up the night before. Thanksgiving day can get kind of busy with the parade being on, the turkey being basted, and gravy being made! Not to mention the guests that arrive early!
I like to set up the table the night before and have everything ready for when guests arrive the next day! This also helps if you need to plan out where to put the food!
If you have animals (or small children) that like to mess with the table, I recommend setting everything up and taking pictures, so you know exactly how you want it, maybe even the weekend before Thanksgiving! That way there's no stress on the big day!
How to "Shop Your House"
One thing that I love about a rustic tablescape is how you can use items from your own home to decorate the table. Here are some more Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas that you can find around your home!
- Candles - look for candles in the same color family and place them in the middle. These can be candles of all differnet shapes and sizes, which creates a beautiful depth to the table! Find candles all in fall colors, so you can have reds, oranges, golds, and it makes a beautiful table arrangement with perfect ambiance!
- Fall Decor - look around your house for any fall decor you might already be using: this could be garland, mini pumpkins, leaves, anything that has a fall vibe to it. Arrange down the middle of the table with a few tea lights and you have an easy tablescape!
- Food - If you spent all day making a turkey, don't feel bad for placing that turkey right in the middle of that Thanksgiving table! Grab a large platter, add the turkey to the middle, then add some fresh herbs and slices of citrus around the turkey to really embrace your showstopper!
If you're still looking for a turkey recipe, try out mine here!
Important Tips to Remember
Nothing too tall in the middle - Remember, you want everyone to be talking around the table, so don't put anything too tall down the middle that will block off anyone's view! Putting something like a tall flower arrangement could block people from chatting across the table! Practice sitting down at your table to see what height everything should be!
Set the mood - Lighting can make such a difference, so make sure to have a few candles on your table to give off a beautiful warm glow! This can be real candles or fake, it's totally up to you! I do recommend trying to find unscented candles if you can!
Don't stress - I know it's easy said than done, but try to minimize your stress as much as possible! Stressing over the perfect place setting won't make your guests enjoy Thanksgiving more, it'll just bring down your holiday! Set the table and then forget about it! Enjoy the time with your family!
Reminder:
When it comes to Thanksgiving, don't stress yourself out! Pick and choose elements from this tablescape that work best for you! At the end of the day, it's about spending the day with your loved ones!
Cheers!
-Holly Michelle
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