Thanksgiving is one of my favorite American holidays as I have fond memories of celebrating it with my college roommate and her family in her home in Auburn.
We would spend the entire day feasting on turkey, stuffing and green bean casserole (my favorite!)
I think a Thanksgiving feast feels incomplete without a Thanksgiving table setting.
Even the simplest table setting will help to set the tone for a warm, inviting gathering.
Since this is my first time hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, I thought I’d start small. That means only using what I have at home and incorporating very minimal decor.
I’m all for a simple and minimal table setting because this means the focus stays on meaningful connections, good conversation, and gratitude—core elements of Thanksgiving!
If this sounds like your ideal Thanksgiving, keep reading to discover my tips on how to create a simple and beautiful thanksgiving table setting.
Related: Whimsical Green And Gold Christmas Table Settings
Decide on a theme for your Thanksgiving table setting
There are so many ways to dress up your table for Thanksgiving.
Some prefer to style it traditionally with pumpkins and fall foliage. Others may take a contemporary route and furnish the table with monochrome accents.
I wanted to evoke a warm and homely feeling to my Thanksgiving table setting so I opted for a simple rustic theme.
As a result, I chose beige, sage green and white as my main colors.
Pro Tip: Intimidated by themes? Begin by choosing a color scheme instead.
Start with your tableware
Pretty things aside, it’s important to have a practical table setting.
I like to start with my tableware first. When in doubt, always go for white porcelain plates.
They always look classy and go with every type of table setting.
To keep things casual, I laid out one main plate per person. Since we will be serving food family-style along the middle of the table, a single plate per person will suffice.
Then, I incorporated gold flatware and clear drinking glasses to complete the dining set-up.
Pro Tip: Don’t have matching dinnerware? Choose a whimsical or eclectic theme so you can mix and match your tableware.
Related: A Minimal And Classy Black And Gold Tablescape
Choose your table linens
I have a glass dining table, which I love because it’s so easy to clean.
But since I wanted my Thanksgiving table to look rustic, I laid a beige runner down the center of the table.
The table needed a pop of color and some texture, so I chose sage green linen napkins and cream round hyacinth placemats as the finishing touch to the overall look.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a wood dining table, use table cloths, runners or placemats to create texture to your existing tables.
Add your decorative items
What’s a Thanksgiving table setting without a centerpiece?
My inspiration for the centerpiece was completely accidental. While washing my empty kombucha bottles, I noticed how beautiful the amber bottles looked.
I decided to repurpose them into vases and filled them with strands of dried foliage like dried wheat and eucalyptus.
It’s a simple centerpiece but the table’s gotta have space for a large feast, right?!
Pro Tip: Repurpose fresh floral arrangements by drying them out. Dried flowers can last 1-3 years. You can technically dry any flowers but my favorites are baby’s breath, bunny tail, and eucalyptus.
Related: Simple & Casual Blue And White Tablescapes
Include personal touches
Finally, it’s time to include a couple of personal touches to complete your Thanksgiving table setting!
I attempted a DIY project this year and made dried orange slices. These are so easy to make and they make the home smell amazing.
I didn’t have time for this, but I love the idea of having handwritten place cards for an intimate Thanksgiving dinner.
Pro Tip: Spending on decor can add up. If you’re tight on budget, try decorating with fruits and vegetables!
Arrange seasonal fruits like plums and figs or vegetables like pumpkins and gourds along the middle of table for a fun and vibrant centerpiece.
Setting up the table is making me SO excited to have my best friends over to enjoy a delicious meal together.
Happy thanksgiving, everyone! How are you going to style your Thanksgiving table this year?