Hi, friends!

Well, my guess is that in a few short weeks, many of us will be hosting people for Thanksgiving Day. I am not sure about you, but I have often found that this holiday is sometimes glossed over, being sandwiched between a growing emergence of halloween and harvest festivities and an earlier and earlier onset for Christmas prep! All good things mind you, but they don’t exactly carve out the right tenor and tone for as special a holiday as Thanksgiving. After all, if there is one attitude in life we should all be pursuant of it’s an attitude of thanks.

So today, I am sharing some beautiful design ideas with you as you plan for your day and get ready to host guests. I think it’s important to create a space that draws people in and allows them to gather and be grateful together! To do this, I like to create a warm & welcoming atmosphere that has a few touches of nostalgia for my holiday gatherings.

Below, I have outlined, step by step on how to do this your home. And by the way, Step Four might just be my favorite part!

STEP ONE: GET INSPIRED

Below are two beautifully dressed tables set for guests to come, eat, and commune with one another.

Care of Life by Leanna

Care of Sanctuary Home Decor

STEP TWO: ASSESS TABLE & SEATING

Maybe you don’t need a new table and chairs, but in case you are looking, here are some ideas for you:

Black Windsor Chair (Set of 4)

French Country Farmhouse Chair (Set of 4)

Custom Tables from FunCycled

You could also consider having FunCycled custom build a table that fits your style and needs exactly. I am sharing just TWO of SEVERAL that we have designed and built over the last several years. I encourage you to browse all of our options on our Custom Built Furniture page.

STEP THREE: TIME TO DECORATE

LAYER ONE: Table Runner & Garland

This layer should introduce some low texture to the table. I like table runners and garland for this job.

Ivory Cheesecloth Table Runner

Fall Garland

Gray Table Runner

LAYER TWO: Place Settings

Some may choose to do this after creating a centerpiece, but I think it works better to understand the flow and space needed for plates, napkins, glasses, etc. first.

Placemats or Chargers

Set of Four Khaki Placemats

Water Hyacinth Braided Placemats

Napkins (cloth or paper)

Cloth Napkins Set of 6

Cloth Napkins Set of 6

Copper Patterned Paper Napkins

Fall Patterned Paper Napkins

Flatware

40 Piece Matte Copper Silverware

20 Piece Gold Copper Silverware

20 Piece Copper Silverware with Detail

Glasses

Tumblers Set of 6

Water Glasses Set of 6

Copper Mule Steins Set of 4

LAYER THREE: Create the Perfect Centerpiece

Start with something large for the middle. I like to start with something vintage, like a vintage pitcher or vase and add fresh flowers or even dried florals. Adding touches of mercury glass or faux dried stems will help create this effect if you don’t have something readily available.

Faux Pampas Grass Mix

Mercury Glass Pedestal Vase

Candlesticks

Using a variety of heights, materials and textures adds warmth to the table.

Brown Glass Set of 6

Antique Brass Set of 2

Mercury Glass Votive Holders Set of 6

Glass Candlesticks Set of 6

Wooden Candlesticks Set of 3

Table Scatter

Pine Scatter

Acorn Scatter

STEP FOUR: Time to Give Thanks

Set aside some time to remind your guests why everyone is gathered on this day. Here are some ways to do this:

• Leave a personal note of thanks to each guest.
• Add special quotes about gratitude and thankfulness at each place setting.
• Provide a prompting question at each guest’s plate & then ask quests to share their responses with the table.

Notes and messages could be added to a napkin ring or out of a personalized cornucopia stuffed with greenery or even lined with parchment paper and filled with a small fruit salad. Have fun with this and make it your own!

Care of Wander Homeschooling

Care of Pinterest

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.