At our house, we serve dinner buffet-style—setting all the food out in the kitchen so people can pile their plates high—so the table becomes more about atmosphere than holding serving dishes. Thanksgiving tables often lean on orange, red, gold, and wheat tones, but I decided to try a different approach: a rich green and blue palette built around a few recycled wine bottles used as candlesticks and simple taper candles inspired by recent catalog styling.
I paired inexpensive clearance napkins from Crate & Barrel with our everyday plates, cups, bowls, and silverware. A quirky ceramic squirrel adds personality and a touch of whimsy to the setting.
That loaf on the cake stand is pumpkin bread—so good that it will probably be gone well before Thursday. One downside of working from home is constant access to snacks; one upside is constant access to snacks.
The overall effect feels festive and inviting without shouting “Thanksgiving.” Instead, the holiday theme is suggested subtly by mixed nuts, the tan runner, the ceramic squirrel, woven drinking glasses, gold place cards, the warm tones in the napkins, and the big plate of pumpkin bread.
Here’s a quick source list for reference:
- White plates: Linens N Things (registry)
- Patterned fabric napkins: Crate & Barrel (clearance)
- Cups: Sur La Table (clearance)
- Yellow & green bowls: gifts (similar styles often seen at TJ Maxx)
- Cake stand: TJ Maxx
- Silverware: wedding gift from my mom (Crate & Barrel)
- Ceramic squirrel: West Elm
- Bottle candlesticks: various wine and Pellegrino bottles (labels removed)
- White taper candles: Target
- Tan runner, table & chairs: Target
- Floating shelves: Ikea
That’s the current state of our table. Are you doing any practice place-setting at your house? What are your plans for Thanksgiving—hosting family or traveling in the name of face-stuffing? And what’s your favorite part of the meal? For me it’s stuffing; John’s pick is pumpkin pie.
Update: Many favorite holiday decor finds can be found in holiday roundups—several options are budget-friendly and under $15.