Happy Thanksgiving Time Everybody!
I hope you’re celebrating in a way that makes you happy! We had a very small Thanksgiving last year so the table didn’t need to be very big. But I did want it to be very pretty!
Thanksgiving Starts with Place Cards
I usually start my table settings with flowers. But for this year’s Thanksgiving, I started with the place cards. I love place cards! They add such a personal touch, and my guests are always happy to look for their spot at the table! Plus they can be really fun and compliment the table setting.
You can get your free download of these printable place cards exclusively from the Members Library. If you’re already a member, your password is at the bottom of every email. (It might also be on the Mantel and Table home page, so check there too!)
Beautiful Graphics
I wanted something different this year, so I bought some lovely watercolor graphics from Essem Creatives. Sneha’s got beautiful designs! I was so looking forward to my first graphic design project!
I used PicMonkey to put the various elements together, and I’ve got to tell you, I love it! Love love love! It is so totally easy to use, and made my first foray into graphic design a piece of cake!
Copper for Thanksgiving Touches
After I designed the place cards, I wanted my table to kind of match. I’ve been so loving copper this season and blush as well. So I used my barely blush tablecloth and napkins and my copper chargers.
I also got these amazing little place card holders. They’re a lovely pinky-copper color, and they’re so cute! They’re also heavy so they won’t tip over easily. You can use them the way I did here or you can turn them around and have a bigger copper base. (You can see the back side across the table in this picture.)
Inspiration From Other Bloggers
Bloggers are so creative! I’ve been truly inspired recently, and I wanted to try out a few of the ideas I’ve been seeing.
Putting the napkins on the plates in a very organic and lush sort of way was one of those ideas. I love how the napkin becomes a soft, organic part of the design this way. Another option rather than being as structured as usual.
Candles in Different Places?
Another idea I wanted to try, was candles on the table in other places than smack in the middle. It looks so pretty with the candles off to the side like I’ve seen on Instagram, etc. (Please excuse the fuzziness of this picture, but I wanted to give you an idea of the whole-table layout.)
Since our dinner will be buffet, there won’t be any serving dishes on the table to get in the way. But I am going to watch that they don’t get banged by people’s elbows or hit with forks or something. I’ll report back on how that actually works!
REPORTING BACK:
It worked great! Nobody knocked or banged or hit a single candle!
A Non-Flower Centerpiece
I was all about having my centerpiece reflect the concept in the place card design. And what I ended up with is so super simple! I just went out and clipped some beautiful red leaves from one of the maples in our side yard. I found some wild fuchsia that was still flowering.
Also some little pear tree leaves, and some of the ivy that’s taking over the backyard! (I think it’s actually on a mission to take over the whole world! My husband does have a plan to reclaim our yard – I can’t wait to see grass again!)
I wanted a lacy hanging effect to match the place card design. So I draped the leaves over the tops of my candlesticks so they could hang down. I still wanted to use candles though, so I put a little wine coaster on top of the leaves for stability, and put the candle on top of that!
If At First You Don’t Succeed …
I tried several variations of things on top of the candle holders. (Like this precarious and dangerous-looking cup of roses! Wouldn’t that just take the biscuit if they tipped over and spilled water and flowers all over our dinner … !) But ultimately the candles won out.
I usually don’t put tall things in the middle of the table. But because these leaves and branches are so lacy and light, I figured it wouldn’t be a problem to see around them or through them.
Shopping Your Home
Besides the place card holders, everything I used in this table setting was something I already had. I got my copper chargers just recently. I love them so much and I use them all the time! You can see another example here.
The dinner plate is part of a set I’ve had for several years. And I used my go-to gold tableware to bring out the rest of the gold on the table.
The cut crystal water glass and the little port glass are some I’ve had for several years. I got them at one of my favorite antique shops, which you can read about in this post.
I don’t often set a port or sherry glass, but at Thanksgiving we pull out all the stops! We’ll likely be at the table for quite a while, slowly eating our dessert and sipping our drinks!
And More Thanksgiving Candles!
Candles are great! Their sparkle entices your guests to the table to start the meal. It also adds to the ambiance of sitting around after Thanksgiving dinner! I used some of my gold mercury glass votives.
Also my favorite gold mercury glass candlesticks.
That Holiday Vibe & Extra Florals
I didn’t plan it that way, but this table setting has a particularly “Holiday” vibe to it. The red and green could easily transition to Christmas or other special occasions during the season.
Since I wasn’t sure how much I’d need when I went out to get the branches, I had quite a lot of extra leaves and greenery. So I used them in other arrangements to make the rest of the room pretty too!
Leftover white roses as well. I so love roses with just one or two other things like leaves and ivy. The arrangements are so simple and elegant, and they can really express the feeling of the season.
One Problem with Photography
This is slightly off topic, but if you’re a photographer you know how hard it is to take pictures when there are mirrors around. I love all the mirrors and other shiny things in my house! There’s a magical quality to a scene that’s reflected – like stepping into a storybook!
But I have to do lots of gymnastics to keep from getting myself or my tripod in the pictures! I finally got this one above after trying for quite a while! You can see the table and also one of the other arrangements with leaves and roses.
And So – Happy Thanksgiving!
So Happy Thanksgiving once again! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and dinner!
———————— Shop The Look ————————
Click on the pictures for links to pieces I used for this table. If the exact item isn’t available any more, I chose a similar option.
(This post includes affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here.)
Pin the Thanksgiving Table Post for Later
This Post Shared With
- Tablescape Thursday #580 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Tuesday Turn About #25 – Hosted by My Wee Abode
- Homestyle Gathering #45 – Hosted by Serving Up Southern
- Tablescape Thursday #631 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things #462 – Hosted by Crafts ala Mode
- Tablescape Thursday 09.22.22 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
Barbara, I haven’t seen this table before but its a beauty! Love the maple leaves with the green and the place cards are lovely. The place settings are gorgeous and the candles and crystal add such a pretty shimmer and glow! I’m betting that your Thanksgiving dinner was much enjoyed by all!! I hope you are having a lovely fall down there my friend!
Hi Kim – thank you! You’re always so sweet! 💛 We did have a great time, and you can never have too much crystal, I always say! 🤣 Fall is great so far – I actually dragged out the tights this morning. Take care up there!
Hi Barbara!
Beautiful tablescape! The printable place cards are a lovely personal touch. I’m featuring you this week at Homestyle Gathering! Thank you for sharing!
>>> Kim
Kim! Wow – thank you so much – it’s an honor! 💗 I’m glad you liked the place cards, they’re so fun to do,and I hope your readers like them too! Thanks again – I can’t wait to see all the great posts.
I love your table, Barb… and those place cards! Well, you know how I love printables! Did you do a separate post about the place cards? Just wondered. 😉
Hi! I don’t think I did a post on those specifically, but they’re in the Members Library to download, I did do a post on how I used PicMonkey to make a Christmas wreath graphic, and it’s the same process. I got the beautiful watercolor graphics themselves from Essem Creatives – she does lovely work. It’s really fun making them – I could go off about PicMonkey for years but I’ll spare you! 🙂 Here’s a link to the post if you want to read it.
Thanks so much for stopping by Julie – I always love our little Comment conversations! 💗
Of course… I always love reading your posts… Congrats, I’ll be featuring you this week at TTA!
Oh Julie – you’re so sweet!! Thank you so much! I always love Tuesday Turn About! 💛💛
I love your red maple leaves Barbara. They add the perfect amount of color to your beautiful table. Well done 🙂
Thanks Denise – I just love those maple branches! Looks like you have beautiful leaves at your place too! 💗 Thanks so much for stopping by my friend!
As always, Barbara, so lovely! I adore those little place card holders.
Kelly! Aren’t you sweet – thank you! 💗 I thought those place card holders were great too. Thanks so much for being here – I hope you have a lovely rest of your fall!
So beautiful Barbara! I love the addition of the fall branches! Gorgeous and festive!
Hi Terri – thanks so much! Amazing what you can find out in the yard, isn’t it? 🙂 Hope you have a great day my friend! 💗