Well, hello from redheadcandecorate.com!
As I sit hear writing to you, I am roasting a chicken in our oven early in the day so it’s ready for dinner tonight after I run some errands. Let me tell you…the aroma is totally putting me in the mood for Thanksgiving!
As a little girl I remember Thanksgiving well. My Dad did most of the cooking, and my Mom did most of the running around cleaning and preparing the odds and ends that go along with Thanksgiving dinner. I remember setting the table and writing everyone’s name on their napkin with marker. I may or may not have eaten an entire can of black olives while doing my decorating back then, but we will keep that part a secret.
Today, I thought it would be fun to share a few of my more recent Thanksgiving tables with you. However, I also want you to know, that having all this decor on the table makes it virtually impossible to have the food on there too! With that being said, most of these photos were not taken on Thanksgiving. These are staged photos that I design in hopes that you find 1-2 affordable, easy ideas that may work into your busy Thanksgiving schedule. The very very last table was actually taken on Thanksgiving and represents more of what goes on at my house on Thanksgiving.
Thankful Table
- Use a scarf as a runner.
- Write Thankful on a mini-chalkboard with chalk pens (found at Michael’s).
- Plates & “silver” napkin holders are from the dollar store.
- Use items you have like apples, real leaves, real acorns/pinecones to decorate the center.
- Pilgrim salt & pepper shakers are from Publix.
Green Bean Table
- Gather fresh green beans around a candle with a rubber band and tie a ribbon to cover up the rubber band. Rest it all on a bed of fresh cranberries. Silver platter is from the thrift store.
- Use plain white drawing paper as a runner for a clean look.
- Tie ribbon around the the plates and napkins.
- Pumpkins & acorn squash are gorgeous together this time of year.
- Doodled Memory Bench I made by painting a bench with white paint and using my own handwriting to doodle family memories onto it. You can view more on that here: Doodle Memory Bench
Vintage White Dining Set Thanksgiving Makeover
- My Dad painted this free dining set a neighbor was going to throw out. I took full advantage after he painted it and decorated it outside for fun.
- Blue plates are from thrift store.
- Leaves are real Oak leaves from our yard.
- Brown paper runner roll can be found at Home Depot in the paint section.
Colorful Thanksgiving Table
- I used spare fabric I happen to have and draped it like a diamond over the table because it was too small to fit.
- Use fresh cranberries (they are on sale now!) in your centerpiece bowl.
- Red chargers under the dollar store plates were .99 at Hobby Lobby.
- Roll your napkins up and tie twine around them.
Non Staged Family Fun Thanksgiving Table
- Have family members gather around the table before you eat and ask them to write down what they are thankful for.
- Brown paper roll can be found at Home Depot in the paint section (per inexpensive too!)
- Tape underneath to secure and write everyone’s name on it to help everyone feel special.
- Write a question to get it started.
- Provide plenty of utensils.
Thanks so much for meeting me here again today At the Picket Fence!
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Lovely settings. I don’t think I can pick a favorite so I will say they are all my favorite. But, I can already see the candle wrapped in green beans sitting on my table. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed these so much.
Let me know how it goes, Susie! Thank you for your kind words! Happy Thanksgiving.
Beautiful table settings. I love the brown paper idea with everyone helping out to make a lovely table. http://www.lovesthefind.com/