Fall Thanksgiving Tablescape On A Budget
This is a throw back post to 2014 when our walls were gold and I let our daughter help decorate our Thanksgiving table that year. We clearly approached the table setting from different perspectives. But, in fairness, she was only 8 years old at the time. Growing up my family didn’t have dinners at the table, not even on holidays. Well, it was usually everyone at the table but my father, who ate in the living room watching television. We also didn’t have nice dishes and decorations, nor did my mother fret about setting the table.
As a young adult my role model was always Martha Stewart for all things home. Unfortunately I was the only one who felt that way which made it difficult to have the holiday tablescapes I dreamed of. Now that I have my own home, the dining room (or gathering room) is central to every entrance into our home and it has become the hub of all our gatherings.
While my tablescapes’ may not always be Martha Stewart perfect, I do try to at least make them charming. The easiest way to do that is by using my favorite dishes, a few accessories and a simple, yet lovely, centerpiece. I just love the simple undertaking of making our table beautiful for guests to gather around.
In fact, until we remodeled our kitchen I had wall words that read “the fondest memories are when gathered around the table”. How very true that is!
When my husband and I started hosting some holiday gatherings at our house my nieces would always get so excited about decorating and even setting the table. Once my daughter was in the picture, she too loved it -and still does. That’s because when the focus shifts from food preparation to setting the table that means all the excitement will begin soon.
Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas: White or Cream Dinnerware
My desire to have a great looking table has also led to an obsession with dinnerware. I love collecting new and different patterns, styles and colors, be it for a season or just because the price was right. Very earlier on in our marriage I fell in love with Mikasa French Countryside stoneware and glassware.
It’s my go-to dinnerware because it compliments everything. The cream colored base is so subtle it’s almost white and that neutral color is the perfect base to mix with any pattern or color for holidays, birthdays or just about any occasion. I also love the Mikasa set for it’s scalloped edges which to me have a feminine nod. So even though this was a kid friendly table setting, this beautiful dinnerware still gave it that little touch of style and gracefulness (without the price tag of real china!).
Using our Mikasa glassware always made the kids feel super special too. They were always extra careful with the glasses; but I will not lie, I did cringe a few times. Looking back at these pictures I have no idea why two place settings didn’t have a dinner plate under the salad plate.
Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas: Budget Friendly Salad Plates
What made this table ready for Thanksgiving were these adorable turkey and pumpkin salad plates. They were the perfect solution that complemented what I already had without breaking the budget. It was actually my husband who found these salad plates on sale at Walmart. He ended up getting them for $ .25 each!
Changing out salad plates is the easiest and quickest way to update your existing dinnerware for the perfect holiday tablescape.
Somehow during all my pre-holiday dinner planning, I didn’t even think of a tablecloth. So to protect the table I went super casual and pulled out our red and white rooster tablecloth. At least the color went with the season and it did have orange stripes in it. Sometimes during holidays, good enough is, well…good enough.
Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas: Get Kids Involved
For this holiday dinner my daughter, who is pretty crafty herself, decided to make everyone turkey napkin holders. Aren’t they adorable?! She also made the tom turkey napkin holder, at school I believe. We still have that napkin holder today and we still put it out at Thanksgiving.
Even our dog, Lucy, was represented with her own jar of dog treats. Although she did not get a paper turkey place setting at the table.
One of the best ideas you can incorporate for a budget friendly holiday dinner gathering is to get your kids involved. Have them get crafty and make something for the table or guests. I’m reminded of another time where my daughter made a “thankful tree”. She had collected a branch from outside, used a can to hold the branch and then cut out paper leaves for everything to write something they were grateful for. It was a great idea and I was even surprised when my father participated in the activity.
Shop My Favorite Pieces
- Mikasa French Countryside Dinnerware, Service for 4
- Mikasa French Countryside Dinnerware, Service for 8
- Mikasa French Countryside Flatware, Service for 8
- Mikasa French Countryside Iced Beverage, 18.25 ounces
- Mikasa French Countryside Wine, 11.25 ounces
If you are inspired to create a Thanksgiving tablescape don’t forget to share by tagging me on Instagram and using #btdinspired, I’d love to see your work (and I just might repost your photo)!
I would love it if you subscribe to the newsletter at the top of the page in order to receive my emails of all my latest blog posts and get the first scoop about any digital printables and freebies.
You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to see what I’m up to as I Create a Beautiful LifeTM!
