Our Thanksgiving Table and My Holiday Styling Tips!

Thanksgiving is almost here, friends, and for those of you who are not already knee-deep into Christmas, after that we will be, right? I have our table set and ready, just because I like to take the opportunity to enjoy some of the festivity of the season for a little time leading up to the big day!

This is not a complicated look, just a basic white foundation like I often like to use, with the white dishes and white tablecloth, but also with a lot of greenery, which I tend to gravitate towards, and some fresh flowers, which is always a must.

As we enter the holiday decor season, I thought I’d share some of my styling tips for those who have asked through the years.  I am definitely the type of decorator that starts with my same basic pieces and builds upon those to achieve different looks for different seasons.  Decorating in this way will definitely save you money in the long run and also gives you plenty of room to exercise your creativity for lots of different looks!

The first thing you’ll notice about most of my table settings is that I start with a white or light table cloth for a basic foundation.  I often keep the same neutral tablecloth on my table all year round, and a good quality one can last for years!  Here are some of my favorites (affiliate links)…

Kate Spade Dot

 Elegant Plaid White

Metallic Gold Dot

Kate Spade Gold Stripe

Once you have a neutral start with a tablecloth, you can easily add all kinds of options for table runners! You’ve seen me use wrapping paper many times on my tables as a great layer of color.  And this “table runner” is actually just a remnant of velvet that I had left over from some pillows I made years ago! (I used this for Thanksgiving and Christmas last year as well.)

My other favorite classic element I almost always use is a nice white dish.  This gold-rimmed set was the set we got for our wedding 23 years ago!  But I’ve collected a nice set of options here for those of you in the market for a nice classic set. (affiliate links)

Scallop Edge Set

White Beaded Edge Set

Gold Edge Godinger Set

Basic Gray Border Edge

Once you have that neutral foundation, you basically have a blank canvas to work with!  In the past, I have used white and colored napkins in fabric or paper, endless options of place cards or embellishments for each setting, and many other elements of decor.  One of my most recent favorite elements to add onto a table for a gorgeous addition is a garland.  You might remember this one I made from paper early this fall.  But an even more classic choice is a quality faux greenery.  And the best part about a garland like this is that you can use it throughout the year in several ways including tables, mantels, shelves, over a headboard, and more! So this is definitely a piece that I consider a great purchase because of all the ways you can use it!  These are some great affordable options that can be used through the holidays and all year round!  These are 6′ lengths, so you may consider buying 2 to extend across a table, over a mantel, etc.  I used 2 6-foot garlands for this table.  (These are affiliate links)…

Preserved Boxwood

Faux Willow

Eucalyptus Garland (double this one up if you want it extra full)

This one pictured is from TJ Maxx, but unfortunately they don’t have it online.

I always love to add a creative place card to each setting, personalized in some way.  I literally just used my old Dymo labeler to add names to tags and tie them around the napkins here.

And you will almost always find a banner to fit the occasion in my decor somewhere!  This little Thankful banner was from Target last year, but here are a couple of options for banner kits you can DIY… (affiliate links)

White

Brown

And I also have these free printable farmhouse letters you can use as well!

I hope this helps you with your decorating as we slide into the holidays! These few tips can get you from season to season by changing them up with other elements you like.  Watch for this garland to appear on my mantel after Thanksgiving, just like so many of these pieces that I use year after year!