26 Easy Decor Tips to Set a Simple Thanksgiving Table
Looking for ideas to create a beautiful, yet easy, Thanksgiving table décor? Try these simple elements to create an elegant and inviting look! Then, gather Thanksgiving table decor ideas here to take what you have and create your own simple Thanksgiving table for family and friends this year.
“Gathering around the table over a shared meal is an art form. Just like each instrument comes together to form an orchestra, so does each individual come to the table to contribute their own tune.”
-The Heaping Harvest
Do you have any special Thanksgiving Day traditions?
I actually love that we don’t have set Thanksgiving plans that absolutely have to happen each year. For our family, it’s a laid back holiday and we just kind of see who can do what and then we go with it! Usually, we are with some extended family with some friends joining in as well. Of course, we love watching the Macy’s parade, browsing the Black Friday sales, drinking apple cider, and eating way too much!
Regardless of the where or who, though, there is guaranteed to be great food and a beautiful, yet simple Thanksgiving table!
Robb (my husband) says to definitely not forget the great football, too!
Most years, my immediate family is tasked with the simple Thanksgiving table decor (surprise, surprise! Haha!) and desserts!
I know Payton will have the desserts covered, though we will all jump in and help her! There is nothing better than some easy Thanksgiving Day morning baking to get ready for Thanksgiving dinner with the Macy’s Day Parade going in the background. Right?!
How can I decorate for cheap Thanksgiving?
When decorating a dining table for special holidays like Thanksgiving Day, budget is certainly a top consideration. After all, you may have several extra dinner guests and while you want a beautiful Thanksgiving tablescape set up in your dining room, it is okay to acknowledge that the budget matters for most of us!
In this blog post, I hope to give you inspiration that helps you come up with creative Thanksgiving table decor ideas where you can use a lot of things that you already have.
Even though Thanksgiving is still several weeks away, I recently pulled out many of my favorite simple Thanksgiving table decor pieces and played around with how I want the Thanksgiving table decorations to look this year. I didn’t purchase a single, new item for this simple Thanksgiving table and just tried to use what I already had.
Pro Tip: Shop your home first!
If you’re looking for some simple Thanksgiving table decor ideas, hopefully this step by step guide for my easy Thanksgiving table setting this year will spark some ideas for you!
To create budget-friendly, easy, and beautiful Thanksgiving table decor, shop your home first! You probably already have some lovely items around your home that you can use for creative Thanksgiving table decor ideas. If you’re looking to add to your collection, I’ll link everything I used (or similar to) below for your ease and convenience!
Make it a stress-free and easy Thanksgiving table setting for your holiday table this year!
26 Easy Decor Tips to Set a Simple Thanksgiving Table
Easy Decor Tips to Set a Simple Thanksgiving Table: Start with a neutral color scheme
Even if you love the bright colors of the fall season, it can still be a great idea to start building your own simple Thanksgiving table with a neutral color scheme. For example, white plates or neutral dishes, a neutral table runner (I use THIS one all the time!), combined with gold elements (still a neutral color scheme) like gold chargers and gold flatware are great ideas. I also love these gold-rimmed glasses for a cohesive look that is very elegant!
Not only are these pieces that are staples for gorgeous tables but the best part is that you can use all of these pieces year round too! In fact, after Turkey Day, just clear out the fall colors, add a few Christmas elements, and you’ve got a stunning table ready for the upcoming holiday!
This is the start of a simple Thanksgiving table that is elegant and timeless. Next, if you want to highlight nature’s bounty, you can begin to bring in more specific fall elements.
Fresh flowers, cloth napkins, colored candles, beautiful heirloom pumpkins, and fall leaves are all beautiful ways to add fall colors that become the star of the show, set against the neutral color scheme.
Easy Decor Tips to Set a Simple Thanksgiving Table: Easy DIY Centerpieces
#1 Tip: Greenery
How do you make a simple Thanksgiving centerpiece?
One of my favorite things to use for easy Thanksgiving centerpieces each year is winter greenery! Greenery is one of my favorite tips to decorate a simple Thanksgiving table because it is the perfect way to make an elegant and beautiful setting for even the most easy centerpiece.
First of all, if you stop and think about it, most of the trees up north are losing their leaves by Thanksgiving and what is still green in nature are the winter greens, like pine and cedar.
Of course, not here in Florida! Our palm trees stay green all year! But for the rest of you, Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to take your cue from nature and add winter greenery to your table centerpieces on your fall table.
Think of the greenery as laying the foundation for an eye-catching centerpiece with natural elements and an elegant style while still being a really easy and simple Thanksgiving table. Once your greenery is laid, you can continue to decorate your simple Thanksgiving table in either a more formal table style or rustic and casual. The winter greenery is an easy idea for the perfect backdrop for any Thanksgiving themed table.
How do you make a simple Thanksgiving centerpiece?
For my centerpiece, I layered two different garlands. This gives me a more full and lush look, while also giving extra depth and dimension to the centerpiece. Since we set up our food on the kitchen island as a buffet, it frees up the dinner table for a bigger table arrangement. I love that I can fill the whole center of the table with pretty things!
I layered this juniper garland and this eucalyptus garland. This gorgeous Norfolk pine garland is my favorite and would also be perfect for layering. If you have a really long table, you could get a few of them to extend the length of the dinner table.
Another great option is this extra long, 180″ garland, available too. After Thanksgiving dinner, take the garland from your table and hang it around your windows. Trust me, it works perfect! The great thing about this faux winter greenery is that the garlands are a great way to decorate for Christmas and all through the winter too!
Whatever garlands you have on hand or decide to use, the most important thing is to pull the bottom branches through so that the garlands look naturally entwined.
Pro Tip: Don’t twist the garlands together. Instead, lay the bottom on, then the top one, and pull some of the bottom branches to show through the top. This gives a more natural look for a simple Thanksgiving table.
You can find some other gorgeous garlands to layer here and here for a simple Thanksgiving table.
#2 Tip: Candles and pumpkins
What is the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece?
After layering your garlands, add your candlesticks and pumpkins for a simple Thanksgiving table.
To me, there is something so elegant about taper candles in a centerpiece for my simple Thanksgiving table. I love to make it extra special by adding a lot of candlesticks. Brass candlesticks are my favorite for the holidays, but silver or wood would be beautiful also!
Pro Tip: Place your candlesticks with a random look.
The asymmetry adds more interest to your simple Thanksgiving table.
#3 Tip: Add vintage accents
In the middle, I added a thrifted silver vessel with a grouping of pillar candles. I love that this gives a focal point to the centerpiece! THIS SET of battery-operated gold pillar candles are absolutely stunning and will definitely be part of my Thanksgiving decor this year too!
Pro Tip: Watch for interesting vessels at thrift stores throughout the year!
They can really elevate your decor, whether it’s for candles, flower arrangements, or even faux plants!
To see ideas for styling vintage vessels with floral arrangements, check out this post!
Easy Decor Tips to Set a Simple Thanksgiving Table: Place Settings
#1 Tip: Dishes
How do you set a place for Thanksgiving?
I like to either make my place settings a little “extra” or my centerpiece feel special, but I try to make sure one or the other has a simple look. This keeps the tablescape, as a whole, from feeling cluttered or overwhelming.
Since there is a lot going on in my centerpiece, I kept my place settings very simple.
For my dishes, I used two different sets of vintage ironstone plates. The simplicity of all white dishes adds understate elegance and I love that I can use these year round too!
Pro Tip: If you have a large gathering, don’t worry about having all the dishes match for an easy Thanksgiving tablescape!
As long as there is repetition in either color, pattern, or style, you can achieve a beautiful look without purchasing a huge set of dishes! I often use my everyday white plates, even for special occasions, as I have plenty of them and it saves a lot to just use what I have! I’ve had these white plates for over 21 years now and I still love them!
#2 Tip: Napkins for a Simple Thanksgiving Table
How do you set a Thanksgiving table on a budget?
I used a set of cloth napkins that I already had. To make them look extra full and part of the decor, I lay the napkin out flat, pinch it in the very center, let the corners all naturally fall, then add my napkin ring. These napkins are no longer available, but I love this simple set too!
I never like to spend a lot of money on table linens because I don’t want to be stressed about stains! If you have a large gathering, these shop rags make fabulous napkins and have the look of old linen. However, they are only $2.99 for a set of 6! Can’t beat that!
Here are some other pretty napkins to use for Thanksgiving:
- These gauzy napkins add a really elegant look to a Thanksgiving tablescape and are also inexpensive.
- The soft taupe color and pretty detail on the edging make these budget-friendly napkins a great choice for Thanksgiving!
- I think the deep green color of these napkins would be such a gorgeous natural color for a rustic Thanksgiving table. Mix with some antiqued gold accents!
- This set of napkins is perfect for a casual and easy Thanksgiving tablescape!
#3 Tip: Napkin Rings for a Simple Thanksgiving Table
Use napkin rings for a thoughtful touch for an easy and simple Thanksgiving table.
I love using napkin rings to dress up a table! For my simple Thanksgiving table, I used these personalized wooden leaves. I mixed them with some cedar green ones to tie into the centerpiece. I love how the mix all blends together but makes the overall look of the tablescape more interesting!
If you are hosting large gathering, you can mix and match your napkin rings too! Mixing wood, metal, and greenery can give you a great look without having to purchase a whole bunch of one kind!
I love these pretty napkin rings, too, for a simple Thanksgiving table!
#4 Tip: Place Cards
How do you make a homemade place card?
Place cards are a fun way to add a personal touch to your Thanksgiving table idea and help your guests feel welcome, even if it’s just close family! Place cards make a really personalized look for even the most simple Thanksgiving table. This year, my napkin rings double as place cards, which is really fun!
Last year, we picked up some giant pinecones at a flea market. My daughter, Payton, used her beautiful calligraphy skills and some simple white card stock to make pretty place cards!
By the way, a calligraphy book makes a really fun and unique gift for someone who is looking for a hobby or has artistic interests! Payton loves this one!
This set of simple place cards would tie in perfectly with my Thanksgiving tablescape also!
Try these budget-friendly ideas for place cards for a simple Thanksgiving table:
- Use pine cones as place card holders by tucking a printed name card into the pine cone.
- Hole punch a card stock place card and tie to a miniature pumpkin or dried gourd.
- Use a sharpie or permanent marker and write guests’ names in calligraphy on a mini pumpkins or dried gourds.
- Use a sharpie or permanent marker and write the guests’ names on a fresh fall leaf.
- Print a verse from THIS POST and personalize for each place setting.
- Print out a fun snapshot picture to personalize for each family member’s place setting.
- Cut a small slit in a miniature pumpkin and slide a card stock place card in to the slot.
Here is a round up of some of my favorite accessories for a simple Thanksgiving table:
- Add pheasant feathers to flower or greenery arrangements or stand a few up in a pretty vintage pitcher as part of the centerpiece for a stylish table! This is a great way to bring in heirloom or vintage pieces that you love.
- Brass candlesticks always add an easy touch of elegance to a simple Thanksgiving table!
- These are my favorite battery-operated taper candles. Feel comfortable about leaving the cozy glow on your table all day long…and safely too!
- I love these fall napkin rings and they would add such a pretty touch to any simple Thanksgiving table, whether casual or elegant!
- Mini dried gourds are always a favorite of mine for fall decorating. They look so pretty on a Thanksgiving tablescape, either as part of the centerpiece or at each place setting.
- Amber glass is a perfect combination with fall decor. This set of bottles would make an easy Thanksgiving table centerpiece! Just add a few fresh floral stems!
- These gold votive cups pair perfectly with my favorite flameless votive candles.
- This Indian corn has beautiful corn husks that look so pretty adding texture and fall colors to a beautiful table.
- Get fresh fruit from your grocery store produce section, such as pomegranates, rust-colored pears, and artichokes to highlight the harvest season and add an organic modern Thanksgiving table setting style.
- Pick up small pots of fresh white flowers (Mums are a great addition) and mix them in with earthy tones. They will take a lot less time than creating a fancy floral centerpiece but still give you the overall look and feel of decorating your simple Thanksgiving table with a floral arrangement!
- Go foraging for pretty fall leaves on Thanksgiving Day morning so the leaves are still fresh. Tuck them in with fresh flowers or faux greenery for an easy Thanksgiving centerpiece with the warmth of a fall color palette. At the same time, the natural table will feel so fresh while also being budget-friendly. My favorite part is that you don’t have to store them away when Turkey Day is over!
- Using calligraphy, write Scripture verses about thankfulness on white pumpkins and mix them into your centerpiece for a creative idea for your simple Thanksgiving table.
To recap, here are my 26 favorite tips to create a beautiful and simple Thanksgiving table:
- Shop your home
- Start with a neutral color scheme
- Mix in gold colors for an elegant touch
- Bring in fall colors with natural accents
- Take your cue from nature and add winter greenery to your centerpieces.
- Layer 3 different garlands together for a lush and abundant look.
- Stack the garlands instead of twisting them, then gently pull pieces to show through
- Add candlelight for a cozy glow
- Add touches of velvet with ribbon or pumpkins for a rich texture
- Watch for vintage vessels and candle holders at thrift stores throughout out year
- Use simple white plates with elevated place setting details
- Consider inexpensive cloth napkins
- Use napkin rings to double as a way to secure napkins and also add a decorative touch
- Make DIY napkin rings with ribbon and a fall leaf
- – 21. Choose from 7 different easy DIY place card ideas to make dinner guests feel special
22. Add pheasant feathers for a natural touch.
23. Use flameless battery candles for a safe centerpiece and cozy glow all day long
24. Mix fresh fruit into your centerpiece for a natural look
25. Use potted mums for easy floral arrangements
26. Forage for fall elements, like leaves or branches, to use on your table.
No matter how elaborate your Thanksgiving tablescape…or how simple. Whether you have a dinner for two or for twenty or whether you allow a local restaurant to host you for Thanksgiving, I hope that you can focus on the most important part…the people.
And your abundant blessings.
Check out this post for my Thanksgiving challenge and verses for every day leading up to Thanksgiving! It’s never too late to start being thankful!
(By the way, the verses and quotes are beautiful, free printables and would be beautiful at each of your place settings for a special touch on a simple Thanksgiving table!)
If you enjoyed this post, you may also love the following:
- How to Make My Grandma’s Turkey Feast Cheese Roll
- Easy Ideas to Use Feathers for Thanksgiving Decor
- Best Classical Music Playlist for Thanksgiving Day
- Best Thanksgiving Quotes and Images of Gratitude 2024
- Beautiful Ideas for Thanksgiving Table Cloth Decoration and Table Decor
- How to Create Easy Friendsgiving Table Settings and Thanksgiving Decor
- Beautiful Ideas for Vintage Thanksgiving Decorations
- Easily Create Seasonal Decor to Transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas
- My Go-To Formula for Hosting Large Gatherings
- 3 Easy Ways to Decorate with Pumpkins
- How to Style Beautiful Fall Dough Bowl Decor in 3 Minutes
My husband’s family has a beautiful tradition of singing the Doxology around the Thanksgiving table before the meal. It has become one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions and one that I hope to pass on to our children as well.
The food, pretty table, and decor are wonderful. Even though they are material things, they can help the day feel more thoughtful, festive, and special. However, even more importantly, may we stop and reflect on all the reasons we have to be thankful during this season!
A Thanksgiving Blessing and Praise
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.Amen.
Blessings,
Beautiful! Every detail. Thanks for the inspiration, Robyn!
Robin, I love the combination of juniper, pine and eucalyptus garland on your table. It is just stunning. and those wooden maple leaf napkin rings are just the right touch. You are right about shopping your home. We have so many things but sometimes it’s hard to see them in a different setting. I certainly plan to take your advice this year!
This is such a great idea and I can’t wait to share it tomorrow on the roundup.
Love everything about your stunning Thanksgiving tablescape, Robyn. Thanks for sharing your tips about layering the garlands. Can’t wait to share your ideas tomorrow in our round up. Pinned.
Robyn what a gorgeous table! I love all of the neutral and cozy table decor.
A beautiful tablescape with some great tips, Robyn.
Gorgeous as always!!
Robyn you always have the most beautiful tables. So fabulous1
Robyn, your tablescape is so beautiful! I love it. Happy Fall!
Robyn, you always create the most gorgeous tablescapes. This might be one of my favorites!
Gorgeous tablescape I love every detail! Tanya @twelveoeightblog.com
I love your tips, Robyn. Thanks for sharing your talents.
Thank you Jane! You’re so sweet!