11 Tips on How to Set a Thanksgiving Table- Step By Step

As you prepare to host this heartwarming Thanksgiving holiday, one essential aspect that sets the tone for the entire celebration is the Thanksgiving table. I’m so happy you stopped by because we want to show you how to set a Thanksgiving table, step by step, ensuring that every detail is covered.

A little bonus for this post is that we get to share our 2023 Thanksgiving tablescape, aiming to inspire your creative juices and help you craft a masterpiece of your own.

Without further ado, feel free to grab you favorite hot drink and blanket and pull up a chair while we chat about all the fun details. ☕

This post is all about how to set a Thanksgiving table. It contains affiliate links, meaning, I might receive a small commission, but at no cost to you.

A Huge Thank You!

A HUGE THANK YOU to Sweetannie_co for making the most delicious caramel, apple, pecan pie, and rosemary sourdough bread in the shape of an adorable pumpkin. These goodies were SO delicious! Angela is currently taking orders for the Thanksgiving holiday. Feel free to click here to message her on Instagram.

1. Thanksgiving Table Décor- Theme and Color Scheme

This is the fun part! You get to create ANY kind of masterpiece that you want. Eeee! I don’t know about you, but that gets me SUPER excited!

You can take the traditional route, as we did, and draw inspiration from the famous fall colors that mirror the breathtaking canvas of the great outdoors. Alternatively, you can venture down a completely different path for your design and create something exceptionally unique by incorporating color tones like pink and burgundy. To see how designer Randy Garret seamlessly styles with this color palette and more, click here.

The exciting news is that there is no incorrect approach to take. Just be yourself and design a tablescape that suits your style and budget and makes your heart smile.

2. Get the Creative Thanksgiving Table Juices Flowing

I like to start my Thanksgiving tablescape brainstorming process by searching on Pinterest and visiting retail stores to explore their latest products that are popular and trending for the season. This often gives me a new perspective on how to utilize similar items I already have at home. Occasionally, I also find a couple of new items to incorporate, which then become the inspiration piece of my entire tablescape. For this Thanksgiving table, my inspiration pieces were the dinner/salad plates and the floral centerpiece.

I LOVE visiting stores like Pottery Barn and Kirkland’s for inspirational purposes. These places offer beautifully staged Thanksgiving tables in the late summer and early fall seasons that you can experience in person.

3. How to Decorate for Thanksgiving Dinner- Begin by Gathering Supplies

Once you have a game plan for how to set a Thanksgiving table and what style you want to showcase, begin by gathering your supplies at home. You might have forgotten about some of the items you collected last year, so to save money, make sure you start your shopping in your own cabinets and storage bins.

If you are on a tight budget, consider asking to borrow supplies from a family member, friend, or neighbor. When I first started developing a passion for tablescaping, I actively pursued this approach until I had my own collection of resources. It’s an excellent strategy, particularly for those who are new to tablescaping or for minimalists who prefer not to accumulate excessive holiday décor.

For affordable and stylish Thanksgiving decoration ideas and supplies, consider exploring stores such as Dollar Tree, Walmart, and Ikea, and during the summer, even garage sales. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the number of adorable products available that can beautifully dress your Thanksgiving table. Be sure to pay special attention to dinnerware while hunting for items.

Once you have your tablecloth, chargers/placemats, dinnerware, glasses, flatware, napkins, centerpiece, and extra embellishments, you are ready to dress your Thanksgiving table.

4. Thanksgiving Tablecloth

When choosing a Thanksgiving tablecloth, you’ll want to ensure that it complements the colors and theme you’ve envisioned. This important layer of coverage will add a splash of color and texture, while also safeguarding your table from spills and scratches. As a bonus, it will contribute to creating a cozier atmosphere for your meal.

If you love more of a rustic look and prefer to show the bones of your table without a tablecloth, that is perfectly fine, too. Do what suits your style and vision of your Thanksgiving masterpiece.

Wondering about the official start of how to set a Thanksgiving table? Begin by laying down the tablecloth, creating the perfect blank canvas to build upon. If you choose the “naked” table route, use that as the foundation for starting your tablescape creation.

Here are a few of our favorite Thanksgiving tablecloths on Amazon.

5. Chargers and Placemats

Next, the chargers and placemats come into play. These complementary additions share similarities in terms of functionality. Both serve to create a larger area to accommodate dinner plates, while also introducing extra elements such as color, style, texture, and shape. Plus, they offer a layer of protection in helping keep your tablecloth clean from spills.

Here are some of our favorite charger/placemat Amazon finds.

6. Thanksgiving Plates

When it comes to deciding on Thanksgiving plates, the classic creamy-white look is always a great choice. You can accent it with a festive salad or dinner plate if you want to liven up the traditional appearance a bit. Or, if you find yourself in LOVE with a set that resonates with you – just as I did with the black and white set while shopping at Walmart – feel free to add them to your “Thanksgiving dinner ideas” collection.

You can place your plates on top of the chargers and/or placemats and get ready to stage the rest of your coordinating tableware.

7. Thanksgiving Napkin Rings and Napkins

There are numerous directions you can explore when it comes to Thanksgiving napkins and napkin rings. You can elevate the elegance by introducing linen napkins into the arrangement, infusing another layer of texture and style. You have the option to layer them between the dinner and salad plates, tuck them under the fork side of the flatware, tie them in a knot and place them on top of the plates, make into a cute shape, or insert them into gorgeous napkin rings and position them in the center of the salad plate.

If you opt for a more straightforward cleanup method, you can select a durable paper napkin featuring an adorable Thanksgiving print that complements your tablescape theme and color scheme.

Here are some of our favorite Amazon napkin and napkin ring finds. For more details, feel free to click the picture.

8. Silverware/Flatware

Now it’s time to set out the flatware. The classic color options that are very commonly used for Thanksgiving dinner include silver, gold, and black. Go with the color that best suits your theme and color scheme.

A simple tip to help remember where the flatware goes next to the plates is this: Remember that the word “FORK” has 4 letters, and so does the word “LEFT.” The salad and entrée forks are placed on the left side of the plate. The larger fork sits closest to the plate, while the smaller one sits on the outside.”

The words “KNIFE” and “SPOON” each have 5 letters, just like the word “RIGHT.” These items are positioned to the right of the plate. The knife is situated closest to the plate with its blade facing inward, and the spoon is placed on the outer side.

Here are some of our favorite Amazon flatware finds.

9. Stemware, Glass, and Water Goblets

We are getting closer and closer to seeing the finished product. Are you getting excited?

Next comes the addition of the glassware. Depending on the drinks you plan to serve at your Thanksgiving dinner will determine which glasses suit your tablescape best. Having a water glass available for every guest is a great way to go because it’s the universal drink that everyone can sip on. You can place the water glasses in the upper right section of the charger/dinner plate.

If you intend to serve alcohol with your dinner, consider adding an additional piece of stemware or wine glass. This not only demonstrates your thoughtfulness, but also adds another layer of style to the table. Place this glass to the right of the water glass.

Tip- You might want to consider using stemless wine glasses to prevent any alcohol spills on the tablecloth.

10. Fall Centerpiece

Ahhh! The STAR of the show, the CENTERPIECE. The most common Thanksgiving centerpiece used is a beautiful floral arrangement. This classic look will NEVER go out of style. 🤍 You can gather the blooms from your local grocery store, florist, Trader Joe’s, or Costco, and place them in your favorite vase. The height of the stems can vary depending on the look you are going for.

If you’re aiming to achieve a more dramatic look by incorporating floral stems and leaves that reach up to the chandelier, you can showcase your Thanksgiving centerpiece while people gather around the table, enhancing the ambiance. Once dinner is about to be served, you can consider removing it so the conversation can flow easily and without restrictions.

Other Thanksgiving centerpiece options include pumpkins, lanterns, and food platters. For many more centerpiece ideas to style your festive fall table, click here to see our “Fun and Festive Fall Centerpieces for Your Table” post.

Place your centerpiece in the middle of your table. If you have an extra-long table, consider positioning two identical centerpieces a few feet apart instead of placing them right in the center of the table.

11. Additional Thanksgiving Decorations

If you have a few open spaces on your Thanksgiving table, here are some additional embellishments you might consider placing in those spots.

• Candles
• Pumpkins- Medium and Small Sizes
• Gourds
• Name Tags
• Salt and Pepper Shakers
• Dessert
• Mini Floral Arrangements
• Eucalyptus Garland

How to Set a Table for Thanksgiving- Sources

• Tablecloth- Homegoods
• Table Runner- Homegoods
• Woven Placemats- Homegoods
• Black and White Dinner and Salad Plates- Walmart
• Black Flatware- Target
• Linen Napkins- Homegoods
• Water Goblets- Dollar Tree
• Floral Centerpiece- Homegoods
• Burnt Orange Crushed Velvet Pumpkin- Homegoods
• Small Crushed Velvet Pumpkins with Real Stems- Made by Yours Truly 😉
• Gold Candle Holders- Garage Sale 🎉
• Dripless Candle Sticks- Ikea
• Footed Glass Platter- Pottery Barn
• Apple Carmel Pecan Pie- Made by Sweetannie_co. Reserve your pie today for Thanksgiving before she books up.
• Homemade Pumpkin Shaped Rosemary Sourdough Bread- Made by Sweetannie_co. Click here to get in touch with Angela for your Thanksgiving pumpkin bread.

Similar Sources on Amazon

Other Posts to Check Out

Plaid and Pumpkin Thanksgiving Tablescape

Festive Fall Centerpiece Ideas

Sweet, Savory, and Simple Brunch Ideas for Fall

Understanding how to set a Thanksgiving table is more than just arranging plates and cutlery; it’s about creating an atmosphere that encourages gratitude and togetherness. By planning your theme, gathering essentials, creating an inviting centerpiece, and paying attention to the beautiful details, you’ll set the stage for a memorable and joyous holiday gathering. Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings! 🤍