If you are looking for Thanksgiving table setting ideas, look no further! I am joining a group of talented tablescape loving blog friends who are sharing loads of ideas for setting a festive table all week long!
I have to admit that Thanksgiving is long since over for us here in Canada, and I am kind of glad that we get a bit of breathing space before diving head first into the Christmas season.
However just like our American friends, Thanksgiving is a time spent with family, and eating way too much food! The only thing missing is football!
We have had an unusually warm autumn, and we probably could have had thanksgiving outdoors this year, but we resisted and enjoyed our meal inside.
I don’t know what it is like in your family, but we have several different eating styles to consider. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free, but I find this just gives me an opportunity to try food I normally may never have. My nephew’s girlfriend brought a delicious squash dish this year, which I will be making over and over again during these cold winter months! There is no shortage of turkey and stuffing though!
Since my sister and her husband were embarking on a 4 week vacation the day before Thanksgiving, we celebrated at their home the day before they left. Our family has grown to 14 people, plus one brand new baby boy and I really enjoy spending that time around the table with each and every one of them.
Since my sister hosted, I didn’t need to set my able this year. Since I love the challenge of setting a pretty table with little to no budget, I really wanted to come up with some Thanksgiving table setting ideas to share with all of you, as you celebrate Thanksgiving in a few short weeks.
I started with a huge plaid winter scarf (that I actually wear all winter!). The deep burgundy, navy and beige make the perfect base for a Thanksgiving feast. Plus, it is machine washable.
I borrowed a copper bowl from Leslie and filled it with the last few Hydrangeas from the garden, and some seeded euculyptus and ornamental cabbage from the Farmers Market.
I already had the dark brown wooden charger plates. Our everyday white dinner plates are layered with “napkins” that are just inexpensive tea towels from Ikea (which also make cute cafe curtains), scalloped edged plates found at an estate sale, and melamine salad plates. I borrowed my nana’s good silverware from my mom.
French bread and butter plates hold a multi-grain dinner roll and a pat of butter. Stemmed water glasses from Ikea and gold rimmed wine goblets complete each place setting.
I love using food when creating a tablescape. This time I used apples with a tiny spring of eucalyptus to decorate and add a pop of color to each plate. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting do double duty as decor and dessert!
Those apples will be put to use in a caramel apple crisp later in the week.
Every table needs a few candles. Just be sure to light them to create a warm, relaxed atmosphere.
A wicker pumpkin which I have had for years adds bit of whimsy and is easily relocated to the buffet when dinner is served!
The only cost I incurred for this tablescape was the market flowers. Just $13.00! Everything else I already own or borrowed!
I hope I have given you some inspiration for putting together a pretty holiday table. The inspiration doesn’t stop here. Thanks to Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate, every day this week bloggers who are just as passionate about creating gorgeous tablescapes will be sharing their Thanksgiving table setting ideas, so be sure to check back everyday to see what’s new! Check out the list below and start with all of the Monday features!
Oh, don’t forget to subscribe to Red Cottage Chronicles and get access to our VIP Printables Library! Just click here!
Until next time…….
Monday
Everyday Living
Red Cottage Chronicles
Home is Where the Boat Is
Celebrate & Decorate
Tuesday
My Kentucky Living
Savvy Apron
Rattlebridge Farm
Living with Thanksgiving
Wednesday
Belle Blue Interiors
From My Carolina Home
Bluesky at Home
The Painted Apron
Corner of Plaid and Paisley
The Red Painted Cottage
Thursday
A casa di Bianca
Dining Delight
Sweet Sensations
Our Crafty Mom
Panoply
Friday
My French Twist
Hey Fitzy
B. Lovely Events
Me and My Captain
Life and Linda
Mary says
Maureen, What a beautiful scarf turned table runner as a foundation for your Thanksgiving table! It’s sets the stage beautifully with its warm plaid and rich colors. Such a pretty centerpiece with the hydrangeas from your garden, seeded euculyptus and ornamental cabbage! The apples add the perfect pop of delicious color, especially when they’re transformed into an apple crisp. It’s always a pleasure blog hopping with you!
Maureen says
Thanks a bunch Mary! It is always a pleasure to be included amongst such a talented bunch!
Pam Richardson says
Maureen, the plaid scarf made a beautiful foundation for your table! The centerpiece is perfect for Thanksgiving or any autumn table! The cupcakes look delicious and would be good with my coffee right now! It will be a fun week blog hopping with so many talented ladies!
Maureen says
Thank you Pam! I am really loving the centrepiece and hoping it stays fresh for awhile! The cupcakes were delicious and disappeared in a flash 🙂
Chloe Crabtree says
What a warm and welcoming table you have set! I wish our Thanksgiving was earlier, too! Your centerpiece is lovely, what a great combination of florals and greenery! Your plaid scarf adds warmth and texture to your lovely table. Thank you so much for being a part of another tablescape blog hop, I am thankful to count you among my tablescape blogging tribe!
Maureen says
Cannot thank you enough for making this all happen Chloe! I look forward to each and every tablescape blog hop and I am delighted to be part of your tribe 🙂
Jenna says
This is really pretty Maureen, I love that you used cranberry as one of your main colors, it is so wonderful paired with the fresh greenery and white accents. Plus it’s such a natural way to transition to Christmas. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Beautiful table!
Maureen says
Thank you so much Jenna! I almost didn’t want to put everything away, it really warmed the dining room up!
Carole @ From My Carolina Home says
Beautiful table, I love that plaid scarf as a base, colors are so warm and inviting! Apples mean harvest time here too. I wish we had a few more weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Maureen says
Thank you Carole! Temperatures dropped dramatically here and the scarf went back to keeping me warm!
Rita C at Panoply says
Maureen, it’s great to see your flair of styling a table, which I really like. Your use of things you have makes me happy, and it’s all so well put together. Love that scarf and how the natural elements (apples, centerpiece) define it so well – very complementary. I’m a collector, so all those items you garnered to round out the plate service really sing for me – from nana’s silverware to the estate plates. Those melamine salads are deceivingly cool with their crackled appearance! Great assemblage!
Maureen says
Thanks a bunch! It is always fun to see what I can put together without breaking the bank!
wendy robbins says
Your tablescape is so warm and inviting. Makes me want to join you there for a meal! I especially love how you pulled things together and didn’t spend a ton of money.
Maureen says
Thank you Wendy!
Bonnie Morgan says
Maureen, Your table is so inviting and I enjoyed hearing about your Thanksgiving celebration. That’s what Thanksgiving is about enjoying your family and celebrating with great food for which we are thankful.
Those cupcakes are calling my name. Wow, they caught my eye immediately. I agree great to eat and great decor.
I like your color scheme and theme. Using the scarf to ground your table was ingenious. Your centerpiece is lovely as are all your elements.
Maureen says
Thanks a bunch Bonnie! So glad you like it. The cupcakes were gone in a flash 🙂
Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors says
Your Thanksgiving table is just gorgeous. The centerpiece is so pretty, and those cupcakes looks delicious. I wish our Thanksgiving was early, because I agree it is too close to Christmas here in the States. It would be nice to have a little more time in between holidays. It has been so fun blog hopping with you! Happy Monday!
Maureen says
Thank you Shannon! I am very grateful for the “rest” between the holidays!
Kari @ Me and My Captain says
Oh Maureen, you have done it again. I always look forward to your beautiful tablescapes. The attention to detail is defined right down to the little loaves of bread and butter on your individual bread plates. It reminds me of the most traditional of tables that perhaps could have been set up in colonial Jamestown around an open hearth fire. The use of your hydrangeas, eucalyptus and ornamental cabbage centerpiece is stunning. Truly a lovely table.
Maureen says
Thanks so much Kari! It brings me real joy to put these tablescapes together and I am so glad to know others enjoy them as well 🙂
Dianne Sharpe says
Maureen, your scarf and centerpiece is a definite WOW. I also love decorating with fruit…love the apples. Just beautiful! Trying to follow this entire blog hop. The first day has been amazing.
Maureen says
Thank you Dianne!
Jeanie says
Such a lovely table! And all for just $13! Pinning!
Susan says
Maureen, it’s just lovely! The crackled plates are SO pretty I love the touches of red with the apples and napkins! I hope you are well!
Sandra L Garth says
Count me in also as loving that scarf turned overlay. Plus its plaid which is my favorite! Decorating with fruit and a dessert is a great way to go. A beautifully styled table that includes edibles is always a winner. I’m happy that Chloe brought us together again.
Ann Krucek says
I am drooling over your decor- especially the pumpkin cupcakes! Your plaid scarf makes a great table covering , I am always partial to plaids. It’s a pleasure hopping with you and you started the week off great!
rattlebridge farm says
Maureen, I love your tartan table scarf–it creates such a beautiful background. So warm and pretty! The farmhouse napkins are lovely, too. I love your apples on the plates: each fruit could be a painting, So pretty and inventive. I would love a cupcake! Such fun to party with you this week!
Lori says
First off, have to say, as a fellow Canadian, we do have it easy compared to our American friends and that our Thanksgiving is in Oct – I don’t know how they do it! Secondly, your tablescape is wonderful – I love the homey-down-to-earth feel it gives me especially with the fabulous scarf table runner and lovely food elements as decor. Those pumpkin cupcakes look so delish! Your photos with the apples/greenery on the plates are terrific. Recently, we’ve had more and more dinner parties where we’re having to cook for “special diets” and it can be challenging – good for you, taking it in stride.
Maureen says
Thanks a bunch Lori! When I found out the only thing that stopped my daughters 2 years of daily headaches was eliminating gluten from her diet I was overjoyed for her. Then it dawned on me that meant another diet consideration I needed to keep in mind! Small price to pay though 🙂
Sherry Cole says
Maureen, your table is gorgeous and using the scarf is such a great idea! I love the fresh food as a plate topper and I would have never thought of that. Your photos are beautiful!
Tammy says
Hi Mareen,
Your table looks perfect for Thanksgiving! Thank you for sharing as part of the blog hop!
Maureen says
Thanks Tammy!
Donna Bianca says
Such a lovely color palette, and your centerpiece is so elegant! Bravo!
Miz Helen says
Your Table Setting is beautiful. I would love it if you could share this post on Full Plate Thursday, we now have special features for Table Settings. Thanks for sharing and hope to see you soon!
Miz Helen
Maureen says
Thank you Miz Helen! I would be delighted to share!
Carol says
Maureen, Using your scarf was such a great idea, especially knowing you can wash it. Your centerpiece is really beautiful. It’s great that you get to celebrate your Thanksgiving earlier than us, because as you must know, it seems we rush from ours and right into Christmas. A very exhausting time. So great to be in this blog hop with you.
Linda says
Maureen, your table looks so pretty for Thanksgiving. The scarf is a great addition. The centerpiece is lovely. Add the food really pops. The apple on each plate add the perfect touch. Those cupcakes are calling my name. Truly a pleasure to join you in this blog hop.
Michelle from Weekend Craft says
Maureen I can’t even get over how gorgeous this tablescape is!
Maureen says
Thanks Michelle 🙂
Miz Helen says
Hi Maureen,
Your table is so warm and inviting from the wonderful plaid base that you laid for the charming layers to complete this special Thanksgiving Table. I love you use of natural elements to bring in the season, the apple is a really special touch. I don’t want to forget those delicious cupcakes, they look great! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a good week and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Michelle from Weekend Craft says
I’ll take a cupcake please!