Poor Thanksgiving, it gets pushed aside for the ever earlier need to decorate for Christmas. This year I saw Christmas decorations up before Halloween! Will it never end?! Our local Nordstrom store waits to put up their Christmas decorations until the day after Thanksgiving. I love shopping there in early November knowing I'm not going to hear Christmas songs or see decorated trees.
So let's decorate for Thanksgiving! Hosting the big eating fest can be a lot of work, whether it is for a small gathering or a large group. To help you set a festive table, I've searched for photos showcasing easy ways to decorate for your Thanksgivings dinner.
Pick a Pumpkin -
Or a gourd! Pumpkins and gourds are easy to incorporate into your table setting. Try painting them gold, bronze or silver; hallow them out and fill with flowers or candles; or use them as stands for platters on a buffet table.
I love this idea. You could also do it on a much smaller scale with miniature pumpkins.
The dark russet table cloths make the white pumpkins pop.
I wish I could give credit to whoever came up with this fantastic idea!
Let There Be Light -
Candles add so much to a table and are simple to decorate.
Double stick tape is the trick to decorating the outside of a glass vase with fall leaves.
Grouping similar candles of various sizes always makes an interesting centerpiece.
Wrap a candle with decorative paper or ribbon to match your table cloth or place settings.
Fill 'er Up -
If you have an assortment of class vases, consider filling them up with fruits or nuts for a creative do-ahead arrangement.
Idea from designer Julie Mulligan
Decorate with Place Cards -
There are unlimited ideas for cute, simple Thanksgiving place cards. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your table but still have room for all the food!
Above ideas from Martha Stewart - who else!
Line Them Up -
Since most Thanksgiving tables need to accommodate a crowd, your decorations should not take up too much space. By using multiples of one item in a line down the length of the table, you create a simple yet interesting centerpiece. This idea is repeated throughout the photos above. Here are a few more examples:
Simple vases filled with leaves make for a very modern Thanksgiving
A cute, family-friendly idea from funfamilycrafts.com
Small flower arrangements in a retro food can.
(Idea by Courtney Russell) This is over decorated--it would be best with just the apples.