Thanksgiving is a time to gather as a family. We gather in a casual way. After years as a child of formal Thanksgivings in a dining room with white carpet and gold damask wallpaper where I was afraid to spill a drop of cranberry sauce I entered my “Martha Stewart” phase at about age 13. My mother and I set a beautiful table with all of our best china, silver and crystal. I prepared most of the food (of course, that’s how I remember it I’m sure I had significant adult help!)
But I do remember that I had baked my first pie ever and made my first homemade crust (I have particularly fond memories of the Martha Stewart Pies and Tarts cookbook). But as I entered the dining room I tripped and in one of those moments that can only be portrayed correctly on screen in slow motion the pie flew out of my hands and landed upside down on the precious white carpet. My father became so upset he stormed out of the house leaving the pie on the carpet and our guests at the table.
I have always tried to incorporate our children into Thanksgiving, assigning foods to prepare and using child-friendly decor. This year we are planning to have a casual family Thanksgiving at the Washington Coast. I have been looking for table decor ideas that are fresh, with white pumpkins and maybe touches of blue, and incorporate simplicity and rustic touches. I don’t want to feel like we need to dress up but I want the table to look celebratory. Here are some of the beautiful images I found inspirational:
I love the wooden bowl used in this centerpiece, as well as the white china with white pumpkins.
Photo from Centsational Girl
I love these velvet pumpkins, I might like to incorporate something like these in shades of blues. How would they look in burlap?
Image from Flickr
I like the all white flowers in a white vase. A series of white jugs or Milkware vases filled with white flowers would be beautiful.
Image from Alice Lane Home
Natural elements are perfect for a Thanksgiving table, fruits, nuts, branches (or at the beach driftwood!)
Image from My Twirly Skirts
More white pumpkins, plain candles and white china.
Image from AZ Central
Love the natural grass table runner and the heaping centerpiece. I think this look will be my starting place, but switching it out with lanterns or white candles and adding some blues.
Image from Shorely Chic
Love the vine wrapping the candles and the natural leaves on the napkins!
Image from My sweet Savannah
LOVE the napkins tying together the color scheme, as well as the bare wood table!
Image from The Tablscaper Blog
Love the white on white and the woven chargers! Need to find some of those!
I have a whole collection of blue and white china I would love to use, and check out the simple burlap table covering. What I love about burlap is that you can unravel the edges rather than having to make a full hem.
Love the haphazard arrangement and the added layering of the raised glass candle holder.
I like a fuller look than this but if you are simplifying this is a easy but effective table centerpiece.
Image from Martha Stewart
Cork is a natural material and these trivets cut from rolled cork are a fun project you could assign out to a child!
Repurposing an orange pumpkin into a white flower vase! Love!
And, of course, it’s a good reminder that the most important thing about this holiday is to Be Thankful!
I am grateful to have a beautiful family to share this day!
I am grateful we will be gathered together. This is the first year ever that one of my boys will not be home, but I am grateful for my dear friend Dawne who is taking him into her family to celebrate.
I am grateful for the beauty and bounty of nature that will allow me to create a Thanksgiving table that creates a comfortable but memorable atmosphere.
I am grateful I have learned that Thanksgiving dinner does NOT need to be perfect!
I hope you found something to inspire you for your table!
xo Barbara