I remember Thanksgiving at our house. It was always a special event. It was also a lot of work, if my memory serves me correctly. We’re hosting Friendsgiving this year, and wanted it to feel the same kind of special. Maybe with half the work. Creating an environment for loved ones to gather can be a really fun, creative expression. So today we thought we’d share a fun little photo shoot, along with some of our very favorite tips! So without further ado… tips for an easy Thanksgiving table!
1. Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Table: Embrace the Eclectic Look.
Our new giant table in the addition dictates that I now have ten whole places for seating, which is perfect for a lot of people and entertaining.
Not so much for my dish sets. They’re all available in sets of 6 or 8 and while we have plenty of dishes collected over time for styling reasons #dishhoarder, none of them are in a set of ten. Dishes are something you collect over time, not something you blow your entire budget on in one sitting. So we decided to layer our multiple neutrals up in different ways instead of buying all new, along with differing silverware, and then, drinking glasses for lots of bejeweled color. It doesn’t have to match to look oh so fun!
2. Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Table: Unify It.
If you want a little method to your madness, we suggest pulling out several sets of whatever you have, and layering according to size and what will fit. We love pieces of simple white layered with other plates. Big box store options in melamine are also a great, affordable option to throw in pattern. But we used several sets in layers, alternating each place setting to spread them out.
Then we simplified them all with one unified small grey piece on top, along with a colorful cloth napkin. {We scored these on sale at Walmart!} It was the one singular piece on each place setting that really tied them together. Let your mismatched look intentional with those unifying pieces, and it really helps with the place setting conundrum.
3. Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Table: Include a Special Touch with Printables.
We think throwing in a special little printable for all things Thanksgiving is oh so fun. We even love the idea of including a writing utensil at each spot, so that guests can write what they’re thankful for on the back of the card, and then share with others at the table. It’s a reminder of how much we have grateful for, and we love the idea of focusing on that.
This year, we included these free, colorful printables and you can click + print here!
4. Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Table: Make it cozy
From pillows and pumpkins to layers with table runners and flowers, great conversations are made here and your guests can sit in comfort… that is, before they roll off the table to go watch parades, dog shows and football games.
Encourage your guests to linger for a while, with comfy seats and an inviting table. It doesn’t have to be catalog worthy to be warm and inviting. Sometimes the simplest tables are absolutely the very best.
A thing about flowers: your local grocery store probably has the prettiest. From Trader Joe’s to Publix, check out all the combos you can make with those 3 dollar bouquets. Most of the time, I combine these with flowers from our own yard and they look like fresh clippings a-la a botanical garden. Winning! It’s the perfect way to add so much color and vibrancy to your table. And some fun flowers are in season right now.
Let’s be honest… All in the name of moving it so that you can carry on a convo, but it still makes things look/feel special!
5. Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Table: Just Have Fun
I still have a complex about setting the table correctly. Sometimes, even though I know how, I google just to make sure I’m right.
Why? There are probably lots of reasons. Maybe a little childhood PTSD. But I do know that we tend to put too much pressure on ourselves to make it just right. Easy breezy is the name of the game and just remember that at the end of the day, no one is really judging your table setting skills anyway. {At Friendsgiving, that is. Google the crap out of that nonsense for family gatherings before your great aunt Patricia you see once a decade has an opinion about your napkin placement, all so you can remind her of her seven marriages and the entire table can devolve into uncomfortable political debates…}
I KID just have fun. That’s all that matters.
We hope you’ve enjoyed a few of our favorite tips and tricks for a simple Thanksgiving Table! As always, let us know if you can use those printables. We’d love to hear! What are you the most excited about this year?
Have an inspired day!
Julie Briones says
Such a lovely and colorful table, Ashley! And the new printable is wonderful!
Janet says
Lovely! This is so pretty.
Anna says
This is just lovely! Thank you so much for the free printables! So awesome, as always!