Last week I shared with you about how my love of decorating was passed down to me by my mom.
I love spending time decorating, thinking about decorating, looking at other people’s pictures of their decorating… you get the idea. So here on Meal Planning Mommies, I will be sharing this passion with you through the table.
My last post was all about the how’s and why’s of styling a nice table. When my kids were tiny, it wasn’t as important for me to create a table that made you want to linger.
Dinner time with toddlers was about getting in as many bites as you can before your little one needs your attention again. But every once in awhile, I would light a candle when my husband and I were having a late dinner without the kids.
Now that my kids are getting a little older, I want them to WANT TO linger at the table a little longer in conversation.
Lighting a candle, having my kids make a centerpiece or creating a simple table setting makes dinner time a little more festive and encourages spending more time together, undistracted, which is important to me now.
My goal in creating this Thanksgiving styled table is to encourage you with its simplicity.
It really doesn’t take much. Here are some things to consider when you are dressing up your table this Thanksgiving:
Tablecloth and Napkins or Table Runner.
I started with a creme tablecloth that I already had in my tablecloth drawer. Then I added a cloth napkin to the middle to give my table some layers and texture. This is the easiest step. I chose to use a neutral colored tablecloth and a cloth napkin in a different neutral shade. If you have a table runner, that would also work well on top of your tablecloth!
Then I set the table.
Chargers.
See those things under the white plates that look like big gold plates? Those are called chargers. They were only $1 each at the dollar store. They make all the difference in this table setting. $1 x 8 = $8 to make a huge impact. If you don’t have time to run to the dollar store before the big day, have them shipped to you. I found similar ones on Amazon here, 4 chargers/$14.99 and free shipping with Prime.
Napkins.
I added navy and white buffalo check cloth napkins that were from Target in the $1 section. They were 2/$3, although I got them on clearance and they ended up being 2/.30. You can find similar ones here on Amazon; a 12 pack for $14.99 and free shipping with Prime (get them before Thanksgiving!).
I layered the charger, then white dinner sized plate, buffalo check napkin and salad plate.
On the top I added the silverware, tied with a Kraft gift tag. The gift tags are meant to be a place card. I found the gift tags on clearance at Target, but you can get similar ones here on Amazon for a much better deal 100 pieces/$5.99 and free shipping with Amazon prime.
It’s all about the little, simple things.
Here comes the really fun part!
Styling the center of your table.
I think it is important to make sure that when you are styling the center of your table, that it is not too tall or too wide. After all, you do need to put food on the table and are going to want to see the face of the person across the table from you. Keep these things in mind.
I started with a cake plate that I already owned. I have a white one, but a different color or style would work just as well. If you do not own a cake plate, I think this one is beautiful! It looks a little like it’s an antique and has a lot of character, for a great price! You can find it on Amazon for $17.50 plus free shipping if you have Amazon prime (Can you tell that I want to make this easy for you?! Get it shipped to your house before Thanksgiving!)
White Pumpkin.
Don’t you just love white pumpkins? They add an elegance and go with just about anything! This white pumpkin, on my cake plate, is actually a fake pumpkin from Hobby Lobby. You could buy a real white pumpkin or use whatever you currently have in your home. Wanting to buy one? Check this one out or head to your nearest Hobby Lobby!
Foliage.
Now for the fun foliage under the pumpkin!
I literally used what I had in my home and my yard. The hydrangeas were cut and dried this fall, the lambs ear is from my backyard (washed and dried the night before) and the ivy is from a house plant that I trimmed to use for this centerpiece. I just trimmed the stems and stuck them under my pumpkin and moved them around until I liked the way it looked.
That’s it!
You really don’t have to buy anything to go under the pumpkin. Go outside. If you really can’t find anything you think is worthy of being in the center of your table, you can always head to a florist shop or a store like Kroger. There you will find flowers and stems of leaves that you can cut to fit under your pumpkin. I tried to stick with different shades of green.
Candles.
The table around the cake stand needed dressing up a little so I added two gold candle holders which I got from the Target Dollar section. They were $3 each. Then I bought white unscented pillar candles from the $1 store.
Have some green apples or pears? Use those to decorate around the cake stand!
Lastly, have your kids go on a pine cone hunt or go to your local craft store to buy some pine cones to add another textural and colored element to your centerpiece. Short on time? You can also have some shipped to your house!
Most importantly, have fun!
Styling a Thanksgiving table can really be so simple and fun!
Don’t let the stress of cooking a Thanksgiving meal turn you away from taking time to create a special table for your family and friends. Set the table the day before Thanksgiving and it’s done!
Oh, and don’t forget to light the candles!
PIN this picture so you can find it later!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Do you have a simple and creative idea for a Thanksgiving styled table?
Comment and share!
Need a Simple Gluten Free Thanksgiving Menu?
Read my first post on Styling your Table.
What about some help planning your meals over the Holidays?
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