Heres An Easy Way To Update Your Thanksgiving Table Setting

Create a simple and elegant Thanksgiving table setting that celebrates family. These Thanksgiving tablescape ideas are easy to pull together and also work as a beautiful fall table for a dinner party at home. Get inspired to create your table for Thanksgiving entertaining. 

Gorgeous Fall Tablescape for a Dinner Party 

I feel like it’s the official start of the holiday season because I finally started planning for Christmas. But first we have to get through Thanksgiving!

I love setting the table for Thanksgiving entertaining, and this table is perfect for a fall dinner party too. It would make a great setting for a soup dinner party.

This year I’ve hit a great balance between simplicity and elegance. Our table includes an easy centerpiece with rustic charm. And the colors just scream fall!

I’ve got some good tips for you below, with a special trick to extend your guest place settings. The idea is to show you how to make your everyday dishes stretch so you can accommodate more people around the holiday table.

Mix & Match to double your place settings

When it comes to holiday tables do you like to do the same thing every year or do you like to change it up? As for me, I never like to do the same thing twice. And I DO like to mix and match what I have so it looks completely different. 

I continually add new sets of dishes to my collection, but I never buy more than 6 or 8 place settings. So I wanted to set a table mixing and matching dinnerware pieces to show you how you can get more mileage from your every day set.

You can work this method with as little as four place settings. Here’s how it works.

• Start with your everyday white dishes. You probably have all the pieces – dinner plate, salad plate, soup or cereal bowl. And you may have enough for 4, 6, or 8 guests. Great! You’re off to a good start.
• When you want to add some color or design to your table all you need to do is purchase a set of dishes that’s half of what you need. Meaning if you’re hosting 8 people you would only need to buy enough for 4 people.
• The trick is to mix and match the layers of each place setting, alternating the colors. 
• To show how this works I bought this 16-piece dinnerware set in light blue. It’s enough for 4 guests. The color is so pretty and the shape of the bowls and mugs matches my white set perfectly. By alternating the blue plates and bowls with the white plates and bowls, I now have 8 place settings instead of 4! AND your table is still perfectly coordinated!
• This tip works great for patterned sets too. Mix a solid set with a patterned set and you’ll have a fantastic looking table.
• You’ll notice I did the same with drink glasses and napkins. Half the places are set with my tan stems while the other half is set with my favorite vintage blue ones.

PARTY TIP: Buy one new set of decorative dishes, and set each place in an alternating pattern with your everyday white dishes.

Simple Elegant Thanksgiving Table Setting

Now that you’ve got those basic white dishes all dressed up with a new color or pattern, let’s talk about some of the other details.

Since the holiday is usually filled with family members of all ages, I made vintage inspired place cards that reflect that generational span. Follow my simple diy to make your own. You could also use real family photos to give them a more personal touch.

Add another fun family-centered element to the table with these conversation ribbons. They will bring you so much joy as they recall family memories. 

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

I’m completely proud of myself for creating this floral centerpiece. I’ve been studying and dissecting the trend of overflowing floral arrangements that are so prevalent now, and I think I accomplished the look here.

I spent less than $25 on flowers & filler, used floral foam and a low vase, and went to work. I love how it turned out!

• Create a simple and elegant centerpiece for Thanksgiving using a few shortcuts from my secrets to flower arranging. 
• The base for the table is a burlap runner with ruffled trim. The burlap adds a rustic feel while the ruffles add tailoring and dress it up.
• To extend the centerpiece outward, lay small colorful branches along the table. Cut them from the yard and tuck in some organic antlers or pine cones. 
• Adding a few candles is another good alternative to the antlers and pine cones.

More Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas

• Here’s another easy tablescape from my Friendsgiving guide.
• Find some colorful Thanksgiving table ideas that you will certainly want to incorporate.
• For a completely different and semi-formal look check out this traditional table for holiday entertaining. 
• And don’t forget to set up a fun Thanksgiving kids table. You may even want to switch tables!

I hope these tips help you in setting your own Thanksgiving table this year. Keep these party tips in mind.

1. You’ll be serving more people than usual for the holidays, so you’ll need more dishes.
2. It is 100% okay to mix and match colors or patterns when you’re hosting a crowd.
3. You can set a simple elegant tablescape without spending a fortune.
4. And by investing in a single set of dinnerware you can double your place settings.
5. Choose a color or pattern that speaks to you, or that goes with the decor you already have. I think you’ll love the look!

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