Thanksgiving Table Tips & Tricks
by Cindi Sutter, Founder & Editor Spirited Table®
Happy Thanksgiving Monday! There is still time for you to set the table in a variety of fashions. Some of these require a bit of prep, and some require very little. The bounty basket in the slideshow below can be filled with whatever is on hand or in your yard. For the centerpiece on the table, I used a simple bowl of flowers and placed a block of wood in the middle for the candle; the little pumpkins around the table can be found at Michaels. Create a pile of pumpkins-they shouldn’t really be on your table, as that gets in the way of the food lovers’ space. But they can be just inside your front door, in front of the bar or anyplace else you like!
Table and flower decor provides the perfect bonding time with kids and grandkids. We were in CA and headed to Michaels for some decorating ideas. We found burlap bags, alphabet lettering, mini-chalkboards, feathers, and a cornucopia. (Click Thanksgiving Table Designs, for Ardith’s Cornucopia Tips). See our process below or create your very own version.
Iron see-through pumpkins are basically indestructible, even for me; and they’re great because the kids at the table can see through them! Add the corn, smaller pumpkins, Indians and the Pilgrims, and you’ve got a ready-made centerpiece that goes back in the box for next year. (The orange and green bark came from a bag of potpourri). The pumpkin with all the crystals was once just a plain beaded pumpkin-click DNA Pumpkins for step by step tips from Ardith Beveridge. The Pilgrims and Indians also take their place at a fancier pre-Thanksgiving dinner for two. You can use any sort of fabric or placemats you have on hand.
Go to your favorite craft store and have some fun and remember, after the holiday, everything goes on sale!
Choose something easy if this is your first table top setting. Don’t stress out about it. It’s all about family, friends and being grateful for our time together. You’ve got the template for next year, so just have fun!