Thanksgiving Centerpiece 101

It is no surprise that hosting Thanksgiving can be a lot of work. The cleaning, cooking, and most of all: setting up enough tables and seating for large amounts of people to be eating at one time. A time-honored tradition in my family is having random tables set up in random rooms with everyone grabbing whatever seat they can find. It is a true hodge-podge of furniture (most of the time we even end up with tables in the garage). BUT!! Just because you are setting up a white plastic card table with blue plaid chairs in your entryway doesn’t mean you can’t decorate the table like a pro. Here are 3 easy tips to help you set up dreamy Thanksgiving tablescapes without adding to the hassle and expense of hosting:

1. bring the outdoors in with greenery and deep, neutral florals

Nothing says cozy gathering like bringing the outdoors in. Layer some eucalyptus, Christmas garland, leafy ferns, etc. Throw them in a bowl or low vase mixed with some deep orange, burgundy, and white florals. The best part?? You can get it all at your local grocery store or in your (or your neighbor’s) backyard! No one says you have to buy stems or flowers from a store - go outside and snip some from nature itself. Now you get the smells too!

What greenery and florals you mix is really up to your personal style. But, the most important thing to remember is to keep the height LOW!!! Thanksgiving is about gathering, eating, and spending time with loved ones. No one wants to be trying to talk to someone through a centerpiece; or worse, move it to the ground so they can see. Your centerpiece deserves to be in the center!

2. add some height variation with candles

Just because you are keeping your centerpiece height low to facilitate conversation, doesn’t mean you cant have height variation. The easiest way to create this is through candles. I suggest a few different heights of candle sticks on either side, layered with tea lights/candles scattered about. This light will create a moody, serene feel while drawing your eye both up and out.

Extra tip: use unscented candles. The Thanksgiving food (and potentially fragrant florals) will be giving off enough smells. Do not overpower that with strong scented candles.

3. make it functional

Like I said before, the table will be surrounded by people and conversation for hours. To win host of the year, make your centerpiece both beautiful and functional. Here are the easiest ways to do that:

• Use a lazy susan.

  A lazy susan will allow the centerpiece to be spun around allowing for all sides to be viewed.

• Add decorative salt and pepper shakers.

  This is not to say your food needs extra salt and pepper. But, when serving a large meal it is nice to have salt and pepper easily accessible to your guests. I have linked some salt and pepper shakers I suggest, but you can’t go wrong with turkeys, pumpkins, or (if you aren’t a grinch) gingerbread houses or other Christmas-themed shaker sets.

Turkeys Pumpkins Gingerbread Houses

• Add napkins.

  Inevitably people are going to need more napkins. Place some in a napkin holder on your lazy susan and they can easily be accessed by everyone at the table.

At the end of the day, as long as you remember to leave room for lots of plates and conversation, every guest at your Thanksgiving meal will be thrilled. Sometimes less is more. You would be surprised how pretty that white table in the random room of your house can look!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!