Traditional Thanksgiving Table Decor

Traditional Thanksgiving table décor for a family dinner, with colorful flowers, mini pumpkins, and unique centerpiece vases. These easy table setting ideas work for fall dinner parties and Friendsgiving, too.

colorful tablescape with green plates, and flowers and mini pumpkins centerpiece

Traditional Table Ideas

Make your traditional Thanksgiving table decor pop with color and classic elements. The rich shades of fall found in nature all coordinate beautifully together on the table.

The color palette came from the produce in these easy elegant hors d’oeuvres. Tri-color carrots, tomatoes, baby squashes, and fresh figs inspired this orange, golden-yellow, deep red, green, and purple setting.

green plate on white plate with flowers and pumpkin

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, set the table a couple of days ahead so you’re one step closer to being ready for a Thanksgiving party. It will also give you a chance to see if you’re missing anything you need to purchase.

Thanksgiving centerpiece with vases filled with dry lentils, flowers, and mini pumpkins

Decorating with Fall Colors

The table setting is relaxed enough for a family meal, but beautiful enough for Friendsgiving or a fall dinner party.

If you have a farm table, keep it bare and use a burlap runner as a base. It adds rustic charm and keeps the tablescape from being too formal.

Thanksgiving place setting with green plate, and centerpiece of flowers and pumpkins

Minimalist Place Settings

Layer colorful salad or dessert plates on top of everyday white dinner plates. Shop thrift stores for vintage depression glass and get instant traditional vibes.

Add even more color with drink glasses. Purple goblets that are new but look vintage are paired with gold vintage stemware that can hold wine, iced tea, or fall cocktails.

place card with wheat decoration on green plate

Simple Place Cards

Place cards are super easy to create by printing out names and cutting into strips. Use a tiny hole punch at one end and thread a piece of wheat through it for a simple and chic plate decoration.

colorful centerpiece with flowers, pumpkins, and vases on dinner table

Easy DIY Centerpiece

The centerpiece is the focal point of the table, and it’s easy to create one that looks full and lush. These fall centerpiece ideas are colorful and full of natural elements.

  • Fill glass cylinder vases with dried lentils that are green, red, and tan. Red lentils are actually more orange in color so they’re ideal for this table.
  • Top the vases with mini pumpkins.
  • Incorporate a few more vases that are filled with mini pinecones and acorns.
centerpiece of white pitchers filled with flowers and vase filled with pinecones
  • Place flowers in mini pitchers to add life and color to the table.
  • Tuck in greenery, such as eucalyptus, to create a garland effect.
  • Nestle in some mini pumpkins and baby corn to create a seasonal centerpiece.

With everything placed close together, all the separate items look like one continuous runner.

Thanksgiving table decoration of vase filled with acorns, baby corn, and flowers

How to Decorate a Thanksgiving Table on a Budget

Here are some of my favorite ways to create a beautiful table on smaller budget.

  1. Use everyday white dishes. You don’t have to invest in themed patterns for holidays. You can layer the white plates with colorful bowls or salad plates for more interest.
  2. Use inexpensive grocery items to create a centerpiece. Fill clear vases with dry beans or lentils like you see here.
  3. Add a simple bowl of seasonal fruit like apples, pears, oranges, or lemons and limes.
  4. Forage through the yard or forest for natures best decorations. Pinecones, acorns, branches with colorful leaves, dry grasses like Pampas grass, etc.
  5. Put together a few small vases of fresh flowers instead of one large arrangement. You’ll still get a colorful floral impact, but for less money.
  6. Follow my best tip for creating a flower arrangement on a budget. It’s an amazing party hack!
  7. Fill the table with food instead of decorations. Even before you sit down to eat you can have a party cheese board or a plate of appetizers on the table, and a pitcher of fall apple sangria.
colorful vegetables on plate with hummus in green jare

Food can add to the table decoration when it’s color coordinated. These vegetables and hummus are great for noshing on while waiting for the main meal to finish cooking.

place setting on dining table with green plate on white plate

The combination of vintage plates and glasses, paired with classic white dishes gives Thanksgiving table décor a traditional look. And a DIY centerpiece full of flowers, pumpkins, baby corn, and more is festive and simple to make.

More Thanksgiving Tablescapes

If you’re looking for more table setting ideas, here are some to give you inspiration.

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10 Comments

  1. Perfect organized table with a great theme is really a treat for eyes too the only thing which is left are guest to occupy there seat ASAP 🙂

  2. This is such a beautiful tablescape. I believe that really sets the stage for a successful party.

    1. Thank you, Danette! We agree. The table is the core of the celebration and where guests will be enjoying food, conversation and family.

    1. Thank you Rebekah! It was really fun to bring together, especially using a French patterned linen and some brighter tones. Glad you enjoyed!

    1. We love to hear this, Carmen! Thyme is not only delicious, but it looks lovely atop a table. Thanks for stopping by!

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