Ideas for Thanksgiving Table Top Decor
November 2, 2020
Table set for rustic thanksgiving dinner

Ideas for Thanksgiving Table Top Decor

Ideas for Thanksgiving Table designs abound! One search on Pinterest can set your head spinning. What you need to know are the necessary pieces of Thanksgiving table top decor and you can wing the rest!

If you're looking for the steps to create a beautifully simple Thanksgiving table you've come to the right place!

Simple farm style Thanksgiving table ideas by Salt Lake Party Stylist

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Head IN With Us

The first week of each month I join several amazing party stylists to create something beautiful for the season. Parties have changed since COVID and instead of heading OUT, we are heading IN to our homes and giving you ideas on how to make your intimate gatherings fabulous!

SO today we've got Day 5 of the ATE Days of Thanksgiving AND more “Head IN With Us” Thanksgiving inspiration at the bottom of the post.

Ideas for Thanksgiving Table

Rustic table set for Thanksgiving dinner

First, decide if you'll use a tablecloth or leave the table plain. A tablecloth will always make the event feel fancier but you have to wash it when dinner is done, so weigh your options.

*This one isn't actually a table cloth at all, just a piece of sequined striped fabric I picked up at Hobby Lobby. So don't feel boxed in by the tablecloths on the shelf. Get creative and design something just for you!*

If you choose not to use a tablecloth, I recommend using a table runner instead. It'll help ground your Thanksgiving table top decor and create a visual separation for the table settings.

Create a Centerpiece

Pumpkin floral centerpiece on Thanksgiving table

Flowers for the Thanksgiving table make the perfect centerpiece! You can purchase something already made or create your own using a pumpkin and an assortment of flowers, leaves, berries, and feathers.

Fresh flowers are lovely but if you create a faux arrangement you'll be able to do it way in advance and enjoy it all season!

You can get great deals on faux florals at Michaels if you just need a few stems. Hydrangeas are my favorite base flower for their size and beautiful colors. Dried hydrangea heads are also lovely but they don't store very well.

Create a Runner with Table Top Decor

Table set for rustic thanksgiving dinner

Once your centerpiece is selected build on it with smaller repeating elements, like pumpkins, leaves, and feathered balls.

You don't have to make your Thanksgiving table top decor exactly the same on both sides of the centerpiece but you want things to get smaller as they move away from the center of the table.

Ideas for Thanksgiving Table Settings

Chicken plate Thanksgiving place setting

Thanksgiving dinner is a big deal, but your thanksgiving table settings don't have to be so fancy that you no longer feel comfortable! We went rustic and although it looks fancy, there's still a casual element to this table.

Start from the bottom and work your way up. Even with a table cloth you can use a placemat or charger to help delineate each space.

Then layer a dinner plate, salad plate, or bowl on top. And finish it off with a napkin. These rustic chicken plates are actually melamine {check in at Home Goods early in the season!} making them super affordable to purchase and mix in with dishes I already owned.

Thanksgiving farm style place setting

Pair a fancy goblet with a themed paper insulated cup for the Hot Apple Cider Bar to keep it down to earth.

Also our paper dessert plates and forks stayed on the Thanksgiving food table until we were ready. That left more space on the table to actually serve dinner.

Thanksgiving Table Top Details

Chocolate turkey at a placesetting on a Thanksgiving table

If you like adding place cards to each Thanksgiving table setting you can easily add a name to the chocolate turkey or maple leaf cookie {both from Trader Joes} in the salad bowl.

Regardless, these treat additions are darling and delicious that really help set the Thanksgiving stage.

DIY Sweater Pumpkin Decor

Sweater pumpkin Thanksgiving table top decor

A great idea for a Thanksgiving table to get done on a decent budget consider making some of your table top decor. These sweater pumpkins are so cute, can be made to match any color scheme, and are simple to make. Get the tutorial here.

Shop Your House for Thanksgiving Table Decor

Rustic blue truck with pumpkin and blessed tag on table

Shop your house and see what you already have. This little blue truck was perfect carrying a white pumpkin, as well as the “blessed” tag I snagged from a fall wreath.

When you decide on your colors, walk around your house and look at everything with fresh eyes. You never know what unexpected items will be perfect for your Thanksgiving table top decor!

Rustic Thanksgiving tabletop decor

And don't fret if you don't have enough of one thing. Feel free to mix and match plates, napkins and rings, glasses, etc. As long as you set the table intentionally, like I did using a different napkin for every other place setting, it'll still feel cohesive.

Thanksgiving Food Table Ideas

Pumpkin floral centerpiece on rustic Thanksgiving table

Once your dining table is all set, don't forget a thanksgiving food table. It's much easier to serve a large group from a buffet than trying to pass each dish around large or multiple tables.

You can see our hutch in the background set up with desserts and several appetizers to keep guests occupied until dinner. As well as more Thanksgiving table flowers!

Happy Thanksgiving!

rustic place setting for Thanksgiving dinner

I hope you feel confident moving forward with these ideas for Thanksgiving table top decor. This rustic table wasn't fussy but still felt special for our celebration. Be true to your style and personality and create a table to match.

If you want a 16 piece table setting for each person with 3 forks, go for it! I'm all for fancy. But I'm also for family and it's OKAY to not want to go that far.

I'd love to hear about your Thanksgiving table decor in the comments below. And if you share photos, I want to see it too! Please tag us @partieswithacause on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. We love celebrating all your hard work! 

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Ideas for Thanksgiving table by Salt Lake Party Stylist

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Head In With Us

Until next time my friend! Signature and photo

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Gingerbread houses in a row as table runner centerpiece for a Christmas Cookie Exchange Party I’m Bri of Parties With A Cause. I’m a mother to three crazy awesome kids, interior designer, & party planning junky. I love reading, globe trotting, and frozen yogurt. And I’m elevating the party experience one cause at a time! Read More

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Healthy food substitutions lists

Grab the Healthy Food Substitutions List for BEGINNERS

If you're ready to improve your lifestyle and the health of your family, join me in the "Healthy Hostess" movement. Where we serve great food to the people we love. With food that nourishes the body and events that feed the soul. Use this food subtitution list to plan more intentional holidays and gatherings. Collect healthier recipes, less stuff, and more meaningful memories, with me at Parties With A Cause. 

You are on your way to Healthier events! One food substitution at a time.

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