How To Plan Your Thanksgiving Tablescape

It’s that time of year to start thinking about Thanksgiving dinner. If you’re the lucky sucker that has the pleasure of hosting turkey dinner in your home this year, then you have come to the right place! Allow me to help you host a memorable Thanksgiving dinner your loved ones will enjoy!

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

First, what does the word tablescape even mean? If you’re not sure, I promise you are not alone. When I told my mom (who is very much a self-proclaimed Martha Stewart) that I was preparing to write this post, she asked me that same question?

Often times the word tablescape is used interchangeably with terms like table settings or centerpiece arrangements. But a beautiful tablescape is more than just pretty things placed in the center of a table. A tablescape includes the entire party planning arrangement as a whole. It is a design plan that addresses the entire table’s surface and table’s surroundings.

Needs

Before you can begin to design your Thanksgiving tablescape, first you must assess your needs. Do so by asking these simple questions.

1. What’s the occasion? (Thanksgiving dinner duh!)
2. Who will be attending? Friends, family, co-workers?
3. Is this a formal or informal event? (How fancy are you going to make it)
4. Will there be assigned seating?
5. What’s on the menu? (Turkey of course!  What sides and types of dessert?)
6. What drinks will be served at this event?
7. Is this a catered event? Maybe a potluck or buffet?

These questions will help you organize your overall table design. Knowing the type of occasion you are hosting and who will be attending gives you an estimate of place settings and tables needing attention. How fancy you want the party to be will help decide the types of decor needed.  This will also help decide if you want to finally give your china some love or on the other spectrum perhaps paper plates will make do as there is no way you are doing all those dishes. (Honey, I don’t blame you. You can still host a beautiful Thanksgiving tablescape with paper goods. Trust me I’ve done it!)

Do you want assigned seating? We will talk more about this later, but it’s something to think about when planning your table arrangements. Pre-planning the menu ahead of time will determine the type of plates needed! Be sure to ask yourself if you would like to incorporate bread and salad plates or bowls into your design. Plan out how many drink glasses will be needed. Will you be adding in a toasting glass?

Color Scheme and Theme

Once you have assessed your needs and know how many tables to plan for, then you can start planning your Thanksgiving tablescape design!

Let’s start with color. What colors do you have in mind? Will you choose to use one dominant color or multiple? Complementary colors or analogous colors? Will you be adding in a Thanksgiving theme with pumpkins, turkeys, or candlelight?

When searching for inspiration, Pinterest is a great source for tablescape inspiration. Create a Pinterest board and add in photos of ideas that catch your eye. Pin different color combinations and accessories that stand out to you. Once you have everything together on a board, visually narrowing down your favorites becomes so much easier! Now that you have your tablescape design, it’s time to shop for the supplies. Simply heading out to the store without any plans is less legwork initially, but this method has left me with less successful tablescapes and often more work with both longer and multiple trips to the store as my plan evolved and shifted frequently. Scatterbrain overload effect! Construct a tablescape plan before and reap the benefits of saved time and better tablescape!

Flowers

Do you plan to incorporate fresh botanicals into your design? In my opinion, botanicals are a must, so just plan on it! You’d be surprised at what a ten dollar bouquet of flowers can do to a tablescape design. Its one of my favorite party design tricks. Flowers add elegance to any space. You don’t have to make your own, but if you do here is a great video resource on how to create your own floral centerpieces.

Centerpieces

When designing the center of your tablescape I want you to think pyramid and symmetry. Place the highest object dead center in the middle of your table. Add in smaller elements along the sides in a downward slide similar to a pyramid, this is the key to make your table looking the most balanced and captivating. Arrange all table settings around a central focal point. I almost always include a table runner to help tie in my design theme. Making one yourself saves $ and is a great creative outlook for anyone who enjoys a little crafting! For a quick and easy tutorial on how you can make your own click here.

Unique and Personal

Even if you choose to host an informal event, I would like to suggest that you consider adding assigned seating to your Thanksgiving tablescape. It is a simple, easy personal touch to make your guests feel special and welcome by knowing that you have planned for their arrival.

My last little bit of advice is to not forget the bling! Granted, this is my personal call sign, signature, stamp, mark, or whatever you would like to call it, and not everyone will share this view. Literally, every one of my tablescapes has had a little sparkle…..perhaps I should now call it a little dazzle 😉!

Photo credit: Claire Falco form Claire Falco Creative

This will bring interest and glam to the table. Not a lot is needed, just a little goes a long way. Easy places to add the bit of glamor is the floral arrangement or a touch of silver/gold somewhere in the plates, chargers, or candlesticks. Just don’t forget the bling trust me on this!