Thanksgiving Table Inspiration
We’re sharing last-minute Thanksgiving table inspiration ideas as we team up with some of our favorite bloggers for the Grateful Gatherings Blog Hop hosted by the fabulous Laura of Decor to Adore.
If you’re coming over from my amazingly talented friend Cindy’s blog, DIY Beautify, welcome, we’re excited to have you here. Didn’t you love her decoupaged pumpkin centerpiece?
She’s always so incredibly creative no matter what the season!
Prepping for Thanksgiving…
We finished finalizing our Thanksgiving menu plans last week and it feels so good to have it crossed off our to-do list.
It’s still hard to believe the holiday season is here.
I honestly don’t know where this year has gone!
But I love that we’re all in the shopping, prepping, hosting, and gathering mode at the same time.
Your tips and tricks have helped so much over the years.
Especially, where holiday travel is concerned.
A New to Us Thanksgiving Celebration…
Truthfully, I feel like I should be an expert traveler by now because we’ve spent Thanksgiving and Christmas on the road nearly every year for as long as I can remember.
It’s always so much fun spending time at the cabin or making memories with our big farm family.
But holiday travel is not for the faint of heart, you know?
So, this year my Mom surprised us by planning an entire Thanksgiving weekend at my parent’s primary home, Bliss Barracks, with almost no traveling.
We were shocked, to say the least, but honestly, we couldn’t be more excited about it.
Given my Mom has been extra sweet to allow us this new kind of celebration, we’re all pitching in to make sure she feels like she’s getting a break too.
And now that the menu is settled, we can start thinking about our Thanksgiving table inspiration.
Here’s a look at our Thanksgiving table inspiration and how we plan to keep things super simple this year…
Shop The House
My Mom is a big treasure hunter and is always finding items at estate sales and charity shops. I can’t remember exactly how much she said this table runner was but I want to say it was around $5.
It’s beautiful but not so expensive or precious that she would be upset if someone spilled gravy on it.
Shopping your house for items you’ve already purchased will help you save time and money when you’re looking for Thanksgiving table inspiration.
Thanksgiving Table Inspiration: Brown and White Transferware Place Settings
In an effort to keep things really relaxed, we plan to lean into using brown and white transferware dishes my Mom has collected over the years.
She loves to have the table set when we arrive.
So, when I asked about her Thanksgiving table inspiration for this Thanksgiving, she envisioned a white plate on top of a brown charger.
And a brown and white transferware bowl filled with hay and accented with a gray pumpkin.
Since those pieces are just for decoration though, my Mom will take them away while we’re nibbling on a charcuterie board by the fire and replace them with additional brown and white transferware pieces.
We’ll also be using our everyday drinking glasses and gold flatware to keep things simple.
Craft An Easy Centerpiece
To make the Thanksgiving table centerpiece easy to move, we’ll set it up on a tray with handles.
This centerpiece is not complicated to make at all.
Honestly, it’s nothing more than a tray topped with a cornucopia filled with faux pumpkins, corn, leaves, and raffia.
It took less than 10 minutes to create!
Other Things That Will Help Keep Your Thanksgiving Stress-Free…
- Plan your menu, shop, and prep as much as you can in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
- Tell your guests the dress code and weekend activity schedule in advance to help make their planning easier.
- Skip the place cards unless you’re having a formal meal.
- Serve something that is easy to pour like a bottle of wine or a pitcher of seasonal sangria so you’re not mixing up drinks all night.
- Set up drink stations and nibble boards away from the kitchen, so you’re not overwhelmed by people coming in and out.
- Put on a fall playlist as you’re getting ready before your guests arrive. It will be one less thing to remember.
- Consider using battery-operated candles that have a remote control. It will save you time.
- Pick up pies and other specialty items and support your local bakery.
- If someone offers to help bring something, let them.
- If someone offers to help clean up, let them.
- Greet your guests at the door. It will instantly make them feel welcome.
- Find something super simple to break the ice. My favorites are, “What is the most boring thing about you?” or “If you had to wear a t-shirt with one word on it, what would that word be?” or “If you could live in a sitcom or movie set, which one would you choose?”
- If you live in a gated community, make sure your guests have been pre-approved prior to their arrival. That way, they don’t have to wait long and it keeps the line moving. We keep a stack of Starbucks gift cards to hand out to the attendants. It’s a small gesture. But it goes a long way in letting someone know you appreciate them working on a holiday. We do this for hospital visits as well!
Up Next on the Grateful Gatherings Blog Hop…
Up next on the Grateful Gatherings Blog Hop, is my gorgeous and talented friend, Kristin of White Arrows Home. You’ll love her tips on How to Keep Family Around the Table Longer.
Once you’re finished there be sure to check out what the rest of these fabulous ladies are sharing.
Other Thanksgiving Table Inspiration Ideas to Enjoy:
Thanksgiving-Inspired Tablescape Ideas
Feels Like Home Fall Tablescape
Fall-Inspired Outdoor Dessert Buffet
Many blessings,
CoCo
Hey CoCo – I love this tablescape. Your transferware is swoon worthy – so pretty. I especially love the cloches – they are so fun to decorate with. Thanks for the inspiration for me to change things up!
Thanks so much Vicki! You know I have a real soft spot for vintage china especially brown and white transferware 🙂
Beautiful! Those little cloches are a great find!
I was able to find 8 of those cloches, is that crazy or what! I love them too!
CoCo your table is beautiful! There’s not any one thing to single out. I love it all!❤️
You’re really sweet to say so Liz, thank you! This table is definitely one of my favorites from the season!
I love everything about your table. The transferware is beautiful along with the cloches and feathers. Well done my friend.
Thanks so much Renee those were some of my favorite items as well!
Love reusing favorites with new finds. You put it together beautifully 🙂 The transferware with the silver leaves & copper lanterns are a perfect look!! Feeling inspired now! Bwg ~~~
I really appreciate it Bobbi, thank you!
Coco, I LOVE your Thanksgiving Table!! love LOVE love it!! will share later for sure. xo Lisa
You’re so kind, Lisa, thank you!
I love the silver leaves …. they will sell quickly, I don’t know how you are able to turn loose of all the treasures you find I would end up with barns built full of my goodies !!!!
Ha ha, it’s not always easy to let go of so many goodies Jody! I probably could use a barn to help with my storage issues 🙂
You know I love all things plaid. What a great and easy going table setting. Everyone is coming to my house this year. I am so stealing some of your ideas!
This was definitely one of my favorite tablescapes of the entire season Nancy! Hope you have a great time planning for your family!
Wonderful ideas, my friend. How fun to be able to have Thanksgiving outside. Happy Thanksgiving, sweet friend. Blessings to oyu.
What an absolutely gorgeous tablescape Coco. I am so inspired by the lovey textures and natural elements you used to create such beauty. Enjoy Bliss Barracks!
Loving all your wonderful Thanksgiving table ideas. Your centerpiece is lovely; a cornucopia is always a perfect centerpiece allowing conversation. Your outdoor tablescape and dessert bar is wonderful. I always love seeing your amazing ideas for tablescapes, CoCo. Brown transferware is my favorite for fall. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
So many beautiful ideas, CoCo! I’m in love with the brown transferware dishes, and that sweet centerpiece! Have a truly blessed Thanksgiving with family!
I LOVE This, CoCo!! White and copper with brown transferware is just the epitome of Thanksgiving table decor. The way you styled everything is just lovely. The pumpkins really add that harvest touch, as well. So pretty! Happy Thanksgiving, friend!!
Shopping the house is my favorite way to decorate and your table looks gorgeous! Love the dishes and the cornucopia. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and not having to travel!
I loved how you wrote this and showed your mom’s Thanksgiving table vision come to life; so creative! Always love seeing your gorgeous brown transferware; if only I had room for more dishes;) Enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving with your loved ones, CoCo!
Wonderful ideas and such a beautiful table! I love everything about it!
Your table looks so lovely! I think brown and white look so classic for Thanksgiving, so I love your place setting! I hope you and your whole family enjoy your time together at Bliss Barracks, and glad you get a little break from travel! Hugs, Donna
Beautiful table and this is going to be a wonderful Thanksgiving. No travel and the family chipping in to help mom.
Sounds perfect. Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m super excited for your mom and everyone being at Bliss Barracks! Our home has always been the holiday house. It does put a lot of pressure on me but I enjoy it. Glad y’all are helping out your mom. Love your ideas and wish you the happiest Thanksgiving. And even though y’all have had quite the year(s), there’s still so much to be thankful for. Enjoy!
Your Thanksgiving plans sound perfect CoCo. Just being with family and not having to travel will be so lovely. I have no doubt that everyone will be pitching in to help your mom out. I too love to thrift like your mom, the only issue is I tend to collect a lot of things, lol. One day soon, I need to purge a few things. Your brown and white transferware is so beautiful and will be perfect for your feast. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Sounds like you have the perfect Thanksgiving in the works! How wonderful that you all don’t have to go too far. I’m hosting this year so I really enjoyed reading through your tips. I will take all the help I can get LOL! Your tablescape ideas are all so pretty, and I adore the brown transferware. Hope you have the best Thanksgiving my friend!
I am so glad you will not need to travel this holiday CoCo. We have never had to travel for the holidays, and honestly, I cannot imagine needing to add it to the mix. The holidays are stressful, you are a trooper! I love how your table came together. Your mom inspired me again! Love the table runner, I happen to have inherited my grandmother’s lacy runners, and I am thinking a bit of tea will give them the look I have been wanting. You both are so creative! Thank you for sharing your inspiration with us all!
CoCo, your Thanksgiving table is so beautiful! Your brown and white transferware is so lovely and perfect for your holiday celebration! Sending my best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful Thanksgiving!
CoCo – I love the table you shared for Thanksgiving. Especially the observation about the table runner – it is lovely but not so precious that you Mom would mind if someone spilled gravy on it. Also, my favorite tip that you offered is to shop the house. Your table setting looks beautiful and I know the guests will feel welcome, relaxed and appreciated.
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!