Written by Amanda Wright

Published on November 24, 2014

Thanksgiving is a time spent with family and those close to you; eating, watching the game, and catching up with those who you have not talked to in a while. Like most families, the hosting house changes yearly. Last year was Grandma’s house, and now it is your turn to prepare most of the food and create an atmosphere that says, “My food may not be as good as Grandma’s, but my tablecloth and centerpiece match flawlessly.”

When decorating for any holiday it is important to keep a constant color scheme or central theme throughout all of your decorations or else you run the risk of creating an unorganized and disheveled environment. For Thanksgiving the perfect color schemes would include shades of red, yellow, orange, brown, gold, cream, and purple. Some themes could be; leaves, gourds, or turkey. An example of a gourd theme would be using assorted gourds as candles, centerpieces, or gourd printed napkins.

To create a warm and inviting atmosphere I would suggest using candles, especially candles that smell like cinnamon, apple pie, pumpkin spice, or any other Autumn themed candle scent. Candles create a welcoming atmosphere.  They also come in all shapes and sizes. Using different candle heights and widths creates a unique decoration.

When it comes to centerpieces make sure they are not too tall so everyone is able to hold conversation across the table without having to look over the centerpiece. A centerpiece should grab the attention of your guests, but it should not take up too much room on the table because there needs to be enough room for all of the food. When creating a centerpiece, try to convey a wow factor without overdoing it. Examples of great centerpieces are; a short vase filled with a bouquet of mums, a wreath made of leaves with a pumpkin in the middle, or, a Thanksgiving or Autumn themed candle holder with a candle in it. Also, when thinking of centerpieces leave room for the imagination.

Besides centerpieces, other table decorations include table settings. Table settings include; a plate, napkin, silverware, and sometimes a placecard. Creating a table setting depends on what one chooses to do with a napkin. Napkins can be folded, or a napkin ring can be placed on them for a simple look. Adding a placecard depends on who you want sitting next to each other. Place Cards are not necessary for a table setting, but they make seating feel more personal to your guests.