Recently, some of my Instagram pals and I hosted a Thanksgiving collaboration where we shared hosting tips and our family favorite Thanksgiving inspired dishes and cocktails. Jill Matthews of @sisu.maine shared her tips on how to create a simple, yet elegant Thanksgiving tablescape. Today, I’m going to share with you what I learned from her and how mine came out!

Hosting our First Thanksgiving

I’m beyond grateful to be hosting our very first Thanksgiving (and holiday!) EVER!! It is also a special occasion for us because it will be our first holiday in our new home, and with both sides of our families! Our old home did not have the space to host anything indoors, which always bummed me out. I dreamed of hosting the holidays with both of our families gathered around a beautifully decorated table. We’ll have 18 people total [11 adults + 7 kids]!

How to Create a Tablescape:

1. Start with a runner or tablecloth

Our new dining table is much longer than our old one, so I needed to order a new 12 foot table runner. I like a neutral palette, so I opted for a natural hemstitch linen runner to compliment the flax hemstitch napkins we already had. Iron your linens!

2. Assemble you centerpiece (s)

Centerpieces can be anything you want them to be! Floral arrangements, greenery, garland, candlesticks, etc. Something to consider is whether your table will have one centerpiece or multiple. In design, arrangements of three are generally most visually appealing. Here, I chose three ceramic containers I already had at home. I took took Jill’s inspiration and filled them using magnolia leaves and white flower stems. The tallest container I placed in the center of the table.

After arranging the centerpieces, decide whether you will scatter any other pieces on the table. For example, garland, votive candles, etc. Here, I chose to scatter eucalyptus stems.

3. Set the tabletop

Begin with a charger or placemat. To add texture to a place setting, I love using natural materials like rattan charger shown here.

Add your plate on top. If you need bowls, add those too! I love a nice, simple white place setting as shown here because it goes with everything! These plates are actually our everyday plates. The beaded detail makes them a little bit fancier, so I’ve never missed not having China. We’ve had these settings for over five years and the quality is great!

Lay a napkin on top of your plate and/or bowl. As I said earlier, these napkins are a linen hemstitch in the color flax. You can hold it in place with a napkin ring, or use any material of your choice! These silver-plated brass napkin rings add a metallic element to the place setting and compliment the silverware well. Google different napkin folds for napkin rings! I made this one up on the fly to show the monogrammed “D”.

Finally, add silverware and glassware.

Complete List of Sources:

• Runner – Amazon
• Ceramic containers – wedding gift from a friend
• Magnolia leaves – The Herbary at Bear Creek Farm; Howell, NJ
• White flower stems – Trader Joe’s
• Eucalyptus stems – Trader Joe’s
• Chargers – Pottery Barn
• Plates – Pottery Barn
• Napkins – Pottery Barn
• Napkin rings – Pottery Barn
• Silverware – Oneida
• Glassware – Villeroy-Boch

Other Hosting Tips…

If it is your first time hosting (or not!), I highly recommend doing yourself a favor and getting it catered! We ordered the hand-carved turkey and ham dinner from Wegmans; and let me tell you, it’s been STRESS FREE, so far! ⁣
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All I need to worry about is cleaning, setting up, appetizers, and drinks! Appetizers I’ll be making are shrimp cocktail, the fruit salsa I shared for my piece of the collaboration, a crostini from Kate @katescleanplate, and a fall charcuterie from Liz @purejoyhome! I’m having each family bring a dessert.
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I hope you found how to create a tablescape helpful! As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

XO,

Kate