Setting a chic tablescape for a holiday is something I love to do. Even if your holiday celebrations are on the casual side, a nicely set table makes it feel special.
The past few years for Thanksgiving, Alex & I have been going to Virginia to celebrate with his family. We have a such a great time, but I do miss spending this holiday at home (I never travelled during the holidays growing up so this is very new for me). For as long as I can remember, we always had a beautifully set dining table for our Thanksgiving meal (even if we were just wearing our sweats). You do not have to plan a fancy or over the top table in order to create a stunning holiday presentation.
I was inspired by my friend Alicia, co-owner of Dorset & Pond to create a Thanksgiving tablescape that speaks to my aesthetic.
Alicia (a fabulous interior designer located in CT) created two amazing table set-ups that are both so quintessentially New England/CT chic. I loved her take on Thanksgiving- it doesn’t have to feel super traditional & there are no turkey decor pieces in sight! Check out her tablescape designs– PLUS you can order every piece exactly as shown & you’ll get it delivered in time for Thanksgiving!!
I created my own vision- something casual, yet elegant and not your traditional autumnal colors.
I am so not an orange & red person, so I used a color palette that is very “me”. Also, everything I used was a mixture of items I had on hand plus a few last minute inexpensive pieces. For instance- the white plates are my Mom’s china (yes fancy I know, however a white plate is my favorite way to present food). I also have organically shaped plates with gold rims that I got at West Elm (inexpensive but still had a luxe feel) that could work with this setting. Check out Home Goods or IKEA for some simple white plates.
My point is, use pieces you already have or love first when entertaining.
I purchased the runner years ago at Home Goods. Against the plain white tablecloth, it pops & adds a layered texture to the table. I prefer a rustic view point so the grey & white stripes fit perfectly into my design scheme (and hello anything with stripes is my fav). I wasn’t about to go out & buy matching napkins. I happened to have a bolt of grey & white striped fabric on hand, so I made my own napkins. Improvise people! Again, check Home Goods for some plain napkins. Linen napkins are also really chic and can be used for many different tablescapes!
The gold chargers are something we had on hand. However, I’ve seen some good looking plastic chargers at the Dollar Store. There’s no need to spend a ton of money (especially if you don’t entertain often). Alicia is probably cringing reading this, but I am nowhere near as refined or classy as she is! I think creating that high end look for less can be the way to go (especially on a millennial budget!).
The centerpiece is my favorite.
And you know what-I got everything at Trader Joe’s! I had the grey wood container & just bought two bunches of flowers & two bunches of eucalyptus from TJ’s to create a floral arrangement. Super easy & inexpensive. I also bought the mini pumpkins at Trader Joe’s (only 69 cents each) and spread them over to eucalyptus stems. Smaller floral arrangements are great so you can see the person sitting in front of you. I also love how Alicia used a bug cluster of mini pumpkins & gourds in her display- super festive yet easy to recreate!
Bottom line- keep your tablescape simple. Use pieces you already have plus add a few DIY elements in. Don’t feel pressured to create a “traditional” holiday table setting. Mix and match, have fun with it! Keep it simple. And don’t forget you have to fit the most important thing on the table too- the yummy food!
