How to Create a Simple Thanksgiving Tablescape

Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away…how did that happen?! I can hardly believe that the holidays are approaching, but I’m also secretly excited about the best time of the year being here so very soon. And Thanksgiving is an awesome holiday. No pressure of gift giving, you just eat, drink, and hang out with your family. Plus, a 4-day weekend sounds pretty good to me!

This year, we’re having Thanksgiving at my mom’s new condo. You guys have seen her gorgeous farmhouse dining room and it’s time we break in this new space with its first holiday! I told her I would help with the decor for the table because we all know that I’m of absolutely no help in the kitchen! So, I came up with a simple Thanksgiving tablescape that was incredibly easy to throw together. In fact, I had most everything and just got a few extra items at the grocery store! It doesn’t get much better than that.

But before we dive into the tablescape, I want to chat about the other amazing bloggers participating in this Thanksgiving table tour! If you just came over from Duke Manor Farm, WELCOME! We’re so honored to have you here. And if you guys want to scroll through gorgeous Thanksgiving inspiration all day long, be sure to head to the bottom of the post to see the other amazing spaces!

Now, onto our Thanksgiving tablescape…

Simple Thanksgiving Tablescape

I love that her table seats 8 because our little family will fit around here perfectly. Plus, she really nailed it with her combination of upholstered chairs, the wooden bench, and the white chairs. For sources and more dining room details head to this post.

Add Some Pattern with a Scarf

The first thing I did was use a scarf as the table runner. I really don’t have a ton of room to store table runners (and neither does my mom), so a scarf is a budget-friendly alternative! Don’t worry, this isn’t a real Burberry scarf…just a look like! But I love how it adds some pattern and texture to the wood table.

You can just pop it into the wash when dinner is over and it should come out good as new!

Using Fresh Greenery

She always has this large white vase displayed on her table (a HomeGoods find), and I filled it with some greenery from Trader Joe’s. I really wanted to use eucalyptus for this simple Thanksgiving tablescape, but sadly they were all sold out. This greenery still gets the job done and it was inexpensive to pick up a few bunches of it from the grocery store. Candles, greenery, and white pumpkins work well on this tablescape

I also scattered a few of the branches on the table to incorporate the greenery across the entire table. A simple Thanksgiving tablescape

While I was at the grocery store, I picked up a few petite white pumpkins to display. They’re so cute and go well with the neutral theme.

Set the Mood

I feel like candles are a must for any tablescape. It’s just so easy to make things feel special and I always have extra candles around the house to use! Use candles on your fall tablescape

These thick pillar candles are from Michaels, and I picked up the small votives from HomeGoods. Add small candle votives to the simple Thanksgiving tablescape

As a kid, it was always my job to light the candles on the table before holiday dinner and this task has stuck with me til today. I’m sure Jan will have me light the candles before Thanksgiving dinner this year!

Make it Fragrant

Use rosemary on your Thanksgiving tablescape

One of my favorite finishing touches on this simple Thanksgiving tablescape is the napkin detailing. I used cream colored napkins, folded them in half, and then used some leather string wrapped around it. I picked up the leather string from the jewelry section at Michaels. I love the texture it adds and the color is perfect for this look. Tuck a sprig of rosemary into the napkins

I then tucked a sprig of rosemary into each napkin. Rosemary just might be my favorite herb (so fragrant!), and this little trick brings some color to the white plates while adding some fresh smells. This is also a great idea for Christmas dinner to bring in good smells and some green coloring!

And speaking of the white dinner plates, when I shared this view on Insta Stories so many of you guys inquired about the dinner plates. They’re from Target, but like 8 years ago! So I don’t think they’re sold anymore.

A simple Thanksgiving tablescape for the holidays

DIY Menu Board

I hosted Thanksgiving a few years ago, and I created this super simple menu board for the occasion. All you need is a roll of kraft paper wrapping paper. I picked this roll up from Michaels, but this is a good option you can order on Amazon.

How to make a menu board for Thanksgiving dinner

I then put a nail in the wall (a tack works too!), and thread the leather string through the roll of wrapping paper and tied it. I taped on my greenery to hide the string, and wrote our menu up there for everyone to see! My handwriting isn’t the best (lefty problems), so maybe recruit the most talented writer in your family for this task. DIY menu board for Thanksgiving dinner

Such an inexpensive idea to personalize your Thanksgiving festivities! How to throw together a simple Thanksgiving tablescape

I think the table came together beautifully! I adore the neutral palette with pops of fresh greenery here and there. Plus, the table isn’t too cluttered (which is always kinda annoying when you’re a dinner guest).

Sliced bread platter on the dining room table

Tips for a simple Thanksgiving Tablescape

One more tip before I go, I think it’s always a good idea to set the table the week of Thanksgiving instead of the day of. That way you have time to get it just the way you want it before the craziness of the holiday begins!

A neutral Thanksgiving tablescape

Oh, and if you need a quick appetizer to throw together for your Thanksgiving festivities. Check out this super simple charcuterie board I shared yesterday. Colorful, delicious, and so so easy!

Now be sure to head over to Life on Cedar Lane to see the gorgeous tablescape Andrea created!