Last Minute Thanksgiving Table Ideas

So Thanksgiving is in two days and you have been so fixated on your menu, you haven’t had time to think about your table! So let’s talk about a few last minute Thanksgiving table ideas you can still pull off!

 

Using greenery is one of the fastest ways to make a fabulous table runner, whether you head outdoors and pick up evergreen clippings, stop by your favorite floral spot, or pick up dried greenery from your craft store. Branches and  stems are a lovely way to bring a little drama and natural beauty to the table. I mixed dried eucalyptus leaves and wheat stalks from the craft store with inexpensive floral filler from my local grocery store…I know! Grocery store florals get such a bad rap.  Wrap your greenery in small bunches with floral wire and place on your table, overlapping the stalk ends.  Scatter mini pumpkins and gourds, red pears and unscented white candles to finish the look.

Layering is the key to a fabulous table…it’s all about visual interest.  Even if you are just using a dinner plate, napkin and cutlery, stacking everyone on the plate instead of placing in the ‘proper’ alignment is visually more interesting.   There are so many ways to create food or place cards whether it’s writing on mini pumpkins, paper or cookie…but I think the most fun way is with mini terrariums! You can use them again in your home decor.

I saw this clever idea at World Market using their mini brass terrariums.  I am all about items I can reuse in a variety of ways.  If you don’t have napkins, pick up some of their cloth buffet napkins; coming in a variety of colors, they are a chic and affordable way to elevate your table.  I see all these clever ways that tablescapes have knotted their napkins.  I can never get a pretty knot, so I simply roll mine into napkin rings.  You can create simple napkin rings with a strip of cardstock, or a piece ribbon or twine.

Don’t forget your drinkware like wine glasses and tumblers for juice and water.

Scatter small bowls of nibbles like nuts and candy around your table, small cheese plates, serve breadsticks in tall glasses, or add more edible elements to your runner like mandarin oranges and grapes.   They add another decorative layers to your table and of course who doesn’t want a few nibbles before dinner?

Do you have a pumpkin tureen in your life? You need one…it will carry you through all your fall festivities.  The whole ‘carving a real pumpkin to serve soup’ is just not my thing.  But with many stores marking down fall decor to make room for Christmas means it is time to get you one.  Mine is from Crate and Barrel. It is filled with my Apple Butternut Squash Soup, if you are still looking for recipe ideas.

At the end of the day, it is about using what you have and can find.  Be inspired with my ideas but don’t put a lot of pressure on yourself.  Enjoy your time and we wish you and yours a delightful Thanksgiving season!

 

 

Linking to Tip Junkie