Thanksgiving Table Setup Ideas With Unique Finds
When planning Thanksgiving dinner, one of the things that matters is the thanksgiving table setup. Your tasty dinner becomes more appealing to the guests with a beautiful thanksgiving table decor. In this article I have share practical Thanksgiving table setup ideas that are not just some decorative fluff but functional table decor items that can be used to make either a simple thanksgiving table decor or a modern thanksgiving table. There is also a section on making cute thanksgiving kids table. Hope you like the suggestions.
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Thanksgiving Table Setup for a Classic Family Dinner
Setting up a classic family Thanksgiving dinner table is all about a lot of food and not much table, so I think we need to be very intentional with the table décor and make the best of available space to have a beautiful table setup that is really functional. And that’s why everything that I am sharing here will add to your Thanksgiving table décor without a lot of fluff. Here are the practical Thanksgiving dinner table decor ideas that align with the needs.
P.S. If you are looking Thanksgiving Party Themes and Ideas.
Use Serveware That Doubles as Thanksgiving Table Decor
Instead of adding a lot of decorations to the dinner table, choose serving pieces that will add to the look of the table and bring the seasonal look without the seasonal decorative items that just take the space on the table
Pumpkin Serving Pot
This is the piece I would start with for a Thanksgiving dinner table. A lidded pumpkin dish that looks like a decoration sitting on the table until you lifts the lid and find food in it. You can serve in it stuffing, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and casserole style recipes because it is not just a server you can bake in it. You can go for orange and white to match it to your table setup or use one of each at opposite ends. To help you choose and visualize the table setup you can see these 15 Thanksgiving Tablescapes Ideas.
Turkey Gravy Boat
A turkey-shaped gravy boat is a cute and functional Thanksgiving accent that brings the Thanksgiving theme decoration to your table setup along with the purpose to easily serve the gravy. It is white with a cute little “thankful” tag tied on it. It makes serving gravy very convenient and mess free. Just place it on the table where its convenient for everyone to reach or pass and you do not need any additional turkey decor anywhere else.
Lattice Pie Dish
This pie dish can go straight from the kitchen to the table and still look decorative. It is a white dish with a woven lattice pattern makes it look pretty and elegant on the table. You can keep the decor for dessert simple with the pie dish doing the heavy lifting to bring décor on the table. Just in one table setting you can serve all the food and make the table look decorated beautifully.
Leaf-Shaped Bowls
If you want to skip too much of a Thanksgiving theme décor like the turkey and pumpkins, use these small, orange and leaf shaped bowls. You can use them to serve small quantity items that are must have to make the food taste better but lot big enough to a casseroles like cranberry sauce, butter, dip. Just put a couple at each end of the table so nobody has to pass things across. The orange color will bring the festive Thanksgiving look on the table.
Smartly use Place Settings for Thanksgiving Table Decor
For a formal Thanksgiving dinner setup, place brings the decor without much work. Guests look at their own plate more than at the centerpiece, so adding a few small details here make a lot of difference.
Disposable Amber Plates
One thing that I dread after hosting dinner is cleaning plates and even before the party begins counting do I have enough for everyone. Disposable plates are the obvious solution but they just mess with the decor but these disposable tableware look less disposable. You can get them in other shaded but this amber color is perfect for Thanksgiving. It not too orange to take over the look and the texture and a gold edge brings an elegant, festive look. These plates look like glass, and the set comes in complete set with two plate sizes, cups and gold cutlery and napkins, so you are sorted for the party and need not search for count and match them for a neat cohesive look.
You already have a lot of work as a host and as an enthusiastic host I know how many things we need to micromanage, but this will check a lot of tasks on your hosting to-do list. It make takes the look of the whole table to a next level without any efforts. Whether you are hosting a classic sit down dinner or a Thanksgiving buffet this is a must have.
Cutlery Holders
This one small detail can take the look of your Thanksgiving table decor to the next level make it look more organized, polished. For a sit down table or a buffet, guest often look around for cutlery, you can makes a place setting feel more put together with these individual cutlery holders with simple Thanksgiving print and a message on them. Just slide the spoon, fork and knife in and place it on the plates or place these in a tray or basket next to plates fro a buffet setup. You can lay them on the plate or beside it, based on what looks better with your napkins. Place them in the night and if it’s a for a buffet setup add in it the napkins too.
Gold Bow Napkin Rings
This is another small and inexpensive touch to your Thanksgiving dinner table that will make the decor look intentional and also beautiful. A simple gold bow can make even a plain napkin more beautiful and put together. Its an effortless way to add napkins to the plate. You may have seen many napkin folding techniques but no one has time to make them during rush day of holidays. Just add a napkin ring and keep it simple, it works with both the traditional and modern looks.
Thanksgiving Table Runner and Centerpiece
Terracotta Lace Leaf Table Runner
To make the table look clean and yet beautifully decorated use a plain, white table cover and place a terracotta color lace table runner. It will bring the Thanksgiving color palette without being too bright and create a subtle background for items discussed above to be placed over it. The reason I prefer white in the sides of the table is that is that it will allow the amber plates and gold cutlery to be cleanly visible without washing out the look.
White Pumpkin Centerpieces
Since the table runner is terracotta with white and orange decor, the centerpiece must not be too colorful. This white pumpkin centerpiece will stand against the contrast and the dried stems, fall florals and a little greenery will give it beautiful contrast with the festive vibe for a perfect modern Thanksgiving table setting.
You can find here more tips and tricks to set a party food table.
Thanksgiving Dessert Table Corner
If you are hosting a large gathering and have room, give dessert its own corner instead of crowding the main table. A small side table should be enough. Put the lattice pie dish with different flavors of pie in front, and set a couple of leaf bowls with whipped cream and caramel or fruit sauces next to it, and keep everything else off. You can use the tips to of setting an ice cream bar setup for parties for dessert table.
How to Pull the Classic Thanksgiving Table Together
If you find the above combination of white and orange for Thanksgiving you can perfectly go for it. But if its not your taste or you are unsure to decide. These three combinations can help you narrow.
For a Warm Traditional Thanksgiving Table
Use the pumpkin casserole dish, orange leaf bowls, the terracotta runner and gold accents from the gold bow napkin rings and gold-rimmed amber plates. This will give you one of the most like a classic Thanksgiving table.
For a Modern Thanksgiving Table
But if you prefer a modern look, go with the white pumpkin casserole dish, the white pumpkin centerpieces, the cream cutlery holders and the white turkey gravy boat, and keep the gold limited to the napkin rings. Choose white plates and skip the terracotta runner and go for plain or lace white table cover. This will give you a clean and modern look.
For a Mixed Look
If you like to take a modern take on a traditional Thanksgiving table setup, use the orange pumpkin serve ware with the white pumpkin centerpieces on the terracotta runner, and keep the place settings in gold and amber. It is the easiest one to because the mix of orange and white makes it look more intentional rather than matching.
Thanksgiving Kids’ Table Setup
I like the idea to have a separate kids table for a party. It keep them happy, they don’t like fancy Thanksgiving table setup but something fun and colourful. So here are some ideas that will make a fun food table for kids without using your good dishes or extra cleanup.
Use a giant Thanksgiving Coloring Banner
Instead of pretty table covers roll out a Thanksgiving themed coloring banner, place in a small basket crayons or markers. It will keep the kids busy while the food is served. You can also print and keep these Thanksgiving Printable Games, it has maze, quiz and make many activities that will keep them engaged. If you do not want the coloring banner go for a brow or orange color table cover and just use printable games, keeping kids entertained for the party is must for an enjoyable celebration for everyone.
Add Playful Thanksgiving Table Decor
Since its kids table I would prefer to keep decor items that are safe. And Thanksgiving theme honeycomb paper decor like Turkey and Pumpkin makes a perfect centerpieces. Just flip and paste, no need to waste time blowing balloons. This set comes in bright reds, yellows and oranges, that little ones love and can even take home as party favor.
Use Kid-Friendly Cutlery Holders
Use the cute cutlery holders to place spoons and fork, so you don’t have to keep providing the one during the party. Its neatly sorted and since its cute, they would hold it to them and not misplace.
Divided Harvest Plates
Little ones are not very comfortable like grown ups to manage different dishes in a plate and if you have some guest like my daughter who don’t like her food touching each other. This divided plate is perfect, you can separate and serve the turkey, sides and snacks without needing multiple dishes. And the best part they are Thanksgiving theme and you can clean and let them take it home after party as a favour.
Use Paper Plates, Cups and Napkins Set
In case you don’t like the above plate ideas you can go for a no cleaning option with these disposable Thanksgiving theme serving set, it has plates, cups, napkins and orange cutlery in one pack, so you are don’t need to buy everything separately. And the colourful look, kids enjoy.
Serve Snack in Paper Boats
By the time you serve the meal and kids are playing or doing activities, you can serve them some quick snacks. These snack paper boats are perfect for this, you can serve in popcorn, snacks, fruit, appetizers or little treats at the kids’ table. Just fill them and put one at every place before dinner no need to pass a big bowl around and perfect to portion snacks size so that kids don’t over eat snacks.
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