5 Must-Have Tabletop Accessories For Setting A Beautiful Thanksgiving Table
These are 5 of my must-have accessories for setting a memorable Thanksgiving table each year.
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For me, going the extra mile to set a beautiful Thanksgiving table is one of the ways that I show love to my family and friends during the holiday season.
Sitting down at a specially decorated Thanksgiving table feels just like receiving a beautifully wrapped gift!
It’s a heartfelt gesture that shows the host put in the effort to make the occasion feel special, creating a memorable experience for each guest.
However – anyone who has ever hosted Thanksgiving dinner will tell you that the last thing you may feel like doing after all of that cooking and baking is spending time to set an extra special table.
Once the cooking begins, there’s no turning back, so I’ve learned that to be a proper hostess, I need to set my table early. If I wait until the cooking starts, it just won’t happen.
Out of all the tables I set for various occasions throughout a year, my favorites are always the ones I prepare for Thanksgiving.
I’m sure that it’s because of how much I look forward to the table will be surrounded by family and friends, sharing stories, laughter, and making unforgettable memories together!
No matter what my theme is and no matter if I’m setting a casual or formal table, I return to these 5 must-have tabletop accessories year after year.
WOVEN PLACEMATS
You may think of woven placemats as being appropriate for use only on a casual table. Well, I hope I can redirect your thinking on that!
Their texture is amazing and looks wonderful mixed with all the elements of a formal table too.
They help to soften the hard edges of the dinnerware and flatware and will tone down the stuffiness that a formal table can have.
To add even more texture, layer different shapes and designs of woven placemats.
Here I’ve mixed the same round woven mat with a rectangular-shaped mat made from multicolored pieces of wood woven together for a casual, yet dressy vibe.
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PEDESTALS & RISERS
Using pedestals and risers, as part of your table centerpiece, will quite literally elevate your Thanksgiving table to a whole new level!
They will immediately add importance to your centerpiece. Adding varying levels to any type of display, even a tablescape, always, always makes it more appealing to the eye!
You can easily build your own and make it any size that you need!
Risers also make a great spot to place salt and pepper shakers, butter dishes, and other small serving pieces.
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A PAIR OF LANTERNS OR HURRICANES
Speaking of centerpieces, I love using a pair of matching lanterns or hurricanes on my table. They’re extremely versatile and add a special touch of ambiance that you just don’t get with plain candles.
Any shape will work. Grab a pair that aren’t so tall as to block conversation and you’ll find yourself using them on many of your holiday tables.
It’s fun to think outside of the box and decorate the lanterns with something other than a candle too!
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A FALL-COLORED TABLECLOTH
Even if I’m setting a more casual table for Thanksgiving, I love to use a tablecloth. For some reason it makes my table and the occasion itself seem more fancy.
A solid color one works the best so that you aren’t limited by what colors and patterns you can use on the rest of the table.
I have a rust-colored one that I especially love using this time of year. If the right side of the tablecloth is shiny, I simply turn it upside down and use the dull side.
Another trick is to layer a runner over the tablecloth. Here’s another think-outside-of-the-box moment – turn the runners so that they go from side to side on your table and use them as placemats for each place setting.
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BASIC WHITE DISHES
Last, but certainly not least, I simply must add basic white dishes to the list. Seasonal dishes and plates are fun, but nothing beats having a set of basic white dishes on hand!
They’re kind of like blue jeans – they go with literally everything and look great on any style table.
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I cannot find a listing for the round twig-like place mats on your Thanksgiving tables. where can I find them? Thanks!
I purchased mine at the dollar store several years ago. I found these similar ones on Amazon if you’d like those: https://rstyle.me/+t6v5I3-PzjYyWffX4XjvIA
Hi, thank you for all the wonderful ideas! I love your stylish and practical approach to decorating. Just wondering, what is your favorite stove top cookware? I’ve never had a
good matched set and may ask Santa for one.
Thank you! If you can believe it, I’ve used the same cookware for over 30 years! It’s good ole Revereware – stainless steel with a copper bottom. I can’t imagine cooking with anything else! 😀
Yes they are the best cookware and have lasted 50 years for me..
You always have beautiful Thanksgiving tablescapes!!! 🍁🧡🍂
Thank you, GF!
Thanks for all the great ideas. Will need to add them to my list. I agree, setting my Thanksgiving table is always my favorite. The year my table showed up on my nieces’s social media feed with a comment about it making her feel special to be there made all the preparations seem justified!
My apologies for not replying sooner! I’m having a technical difficulty that’s been preventing from being notified of new comments. How sweet of your niece! I always enjoy a meal so much more if the table has a pretty setting – even if it’s just soup and crackers that I’m being served. 🙂
Suzy,
Can you please source the amber bottles and the gold salad plates for us?
Thanks!
The bottles and plates both came from various thrift stores. Sorry I couldn’t be more help!
Where is the blue dinnerware sold?
If you are asking about the dinner plates, they are the Pip Studio brand from FineNordic.com. The company is located in Denmark, but I’ve ordered several things from them.