I love Thanksgiving.
I’ve said many times, I think it’s my favorite holiday.
I love getting up early in the morning when it’s cold outside and smelling the turkey that has been roasting overnight.
The house is warm and cozy, windows are frosted over and everyone is safe and warm inside. There is just something about that that warms my heart and certainly makes me count my blessings.
I also love the preparations for Thanksgiving, and setting a pretty table is just one of those things I really enjoy doing.
I thought I’d share some of my past tables to hopefully inspire you if you haven’t started this process.
(You will see links for each tablescape to click on for more.)
You know I always start right outside my door with nature, and there are always some pretty leaves left over to bring inside for a pretty and simple centerpiece.
For this particular setting, I used Walmart BHG square plates and bowls because they were large. While we have, what I think, is a simple menu for Thanksgiving, there is plenty of food, and small plates just wont do;-)
For this setting, I used restaurant china I borrowed and added Indiana Glass Tiara iced tea glasses, and vintage Oneida gold flatware. The centerpiece was a combination of a garland from Hobby Lobby embellished with real leaves, pumpkins, pine cones and hydrangeas.
I made the place cards years ago and use the same ones every year.
For this setting, I borrowed my mother’s Franciscan Apple dinnerware and added L.E. Smith Moon and Stars amberina glassware. I used my 1893 Wallace & Sons Louvre flatware and napkins from amazon.
The centerpiece was simply a vintage punch bowl filled with apples on an old board with ivy and pine cones.
This particular setting was definitely in the non-traditional category, but still classic with Blue Willow dinnerware and napkins from World Market. The glassware was also from World Market probably around 2004.
I used some inherited Noritake Chandova for this setting and Fostoria Argus glassware.
Mother let me borrow her Johnson Brothers Friendly Village for this setting, and I set a thrift store version using the same centerpiece. This video shows how I set both tables.
Plates from a local thrift store set just as pretty a table.
This particular place will be empty this year as our friend who has enjoyed many Thanksgivings here with us passed away earlier this year. Ronnie was a wonderful friend, and it just won’t be Thanksgiving without him at our table. And honestly, that is what it’s all about – not the setting or even the food, but good friends and family that bring love into our lives.
Here are a few more of my favorites…
The long box always seems to be a favorite.
Sheet music placemats make this table casual and fun.
Apples, chestnuts and old silver…
This was a favorite setting using mostly white, silver and apples.
As much fun as it is to clean, cook and set a pretty table, it really is the people that make this day special. I think all of us have been reminded over the last two years that life is precious, and can change in an instant.
Embrace those moments together and treasure every memory with those special people in your lives. When their place is empty someday, you’ll have those memories stored away to hopefully bring comfort. And for each and every one of those, I’m truly thankful.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. We always went “home” to mama’s for this holiday and it was a time when all the family gathered from near and far around the table filled with all the wonderful food she had planned and prepared for us. She went home to be with Jesus this past July and your words are so true. We will call on those precious memories this year and though it won’t be the same, we will continue to make those memories in her honor.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. We always went “home” to mama’s for this holiday and it was a time when all the family gathered from near and far around the table filled with all the wonderful food she had planned and prepared for us. She went home to be with Jesus this past July and your words are so true. We will call on those precious memories this year and though it won’t be the same, we will continue to make those memories in her honor.
Author
Oh Carolyn, I’m so sorry to hear that, but your memories sound wonderful, and I hope are comforting to you now❤️ Love and hugs❤️❤️
Lovely creative ideas!
Thanks for the lovely collection of Thanksgiving tablescapes. I’ve noted several things I’d like to use for my table this year. Hope you have a wonderful celebration with your family this year.🍁🦃🇺🇸🍂
Author
Thank you so much Linda!! I hope to have this year’s table this week🤞🤞
Anita, these are so very very lovely. Thank you for all the time, love, creativity that went into each setting. I, also, have so many pretty things and look forward to using them. Now that we are in a smaller home it is a challenge to clear the table as the kitchen will be full of prep things and everyone keeps going in and out of there. I learned from Yvonne of Thistlewood to put the soiled dishes in small plastic tubs in the garage so that the magic of the day can continue and then just wash later. I love the idea but keeping my husband from starting cleanup is its own challenge! My plan is move along to the family room for games. In the meantime I will revisit these photos and enjoy the beauty.
Author
Thank you Nancy☺️ Having an open kitchen with the table in the center, I deal with the same. I usually will take large pans, etc.,t I don’t have time to wash, into the laundry room until everyone is gone. I don’t like people bringing their plates to the sink so I try to at least make sure I take those on and off the table☺️☺️
Your tables are gorgeous! There is always a glow in your home, love to see the pictures. My question is do you serve your Thanksgiving feast buffet style? Have a great day!
Author
Thank you Brenda!! Yes I always serve buffet style or I’ll serve plates individually. I started doing that when my kids were little because I don’t like passing food around the table. I feel like you can’t talk and carry on conversation because people are always asking, pass this, pass that, etc., and it makes the meal stressful for me. I’d much rather get up and get what I need, and I’ll keep an eye on guests and ask if I can get them something, etc., so the don’t have to get up if they don’t want too☺️☺️☺️
So beautiful. i can hardly wait to see what your table looks like this year.
Author
I need to figure it out soon☺️☺️☺️
I love all of your tables. Like you I collect pineapple glasses in different colors. I have green and amber colors but not white. Do you use them on the daily basis or only for special events? How do you store them?
Author
Thank you!! I’m not sure which glasses you are referring too so let me know☺️☺️☺️
Anita, I enjoy your posts so much! I can tell that your ancestral home is filled with love and warmth. I particularly enjoy your tablescapes, so much so that I was inspired by your Christmas table from 2011 and created a very similar one of my own. My husband created a low profile candle box for the centerpiece which turned out beautifully. I encouraged him to make more for our church’s craft sale fundraiser with proceeds going to a children’s orphanage in the Philippines. The response has been overwhelming, we have sold 30+ to date and are still getting requests each year. So the credit goes to you and the Lord for creating content that is not only beautiful, but also inspires others to create their own beauty and use it to His Glory!
Author
Wow thank you so much for sharing that with me!! What an amazing testimony and blessing for others❤️❤️❤️