Thanksgiving Place Setting Inspiration

Place settings are near and dear to my heart…each and every time guests have their feet under my table. With that in mind, I’m sharing some of my favorite Thanksgiving place settings that provide inspiration each time.

I love Hester and Cook and I have used their paper runners and paper placemats frequently. The displays of their product line is often featured in one of my favorite stores in Franklin, TN. Don’t miss an opportunity to miss that shop if you are in the area. The featured photo today is from one of their created tables.

Here’s an example of a plaid runner and placemat that is just gorgeous with these dishes.

Thanksgiving Place Setting Inspiration

What I love to include often in my Thanksgiving place setting are things that are natural…dried hydrangeas, wood, pumpkins, feathers, acorns, autumn leaves, and rich linens in shades of brown, gold, green, browns, orange, burgundy, and red.

Although my favorite thing to use are cloth tablecloths and runners, I do love the beauty of the Hester and Cook paper runners and placemats. So easy to set up. Then, you toss after the dinner rather than have another thing to launder.

Beautiful cloth napkins always elevate the plate setting…even on the most casual tables.

Look for these at Home Goods or even online so that you have an abundance and variety to meet the needs of the number of folks with feet under your table for Thanksgiving.

And if you don’t have enough matching cloth napkins? Feel free to mix them up, alternating different napkins across the set table.

If you are like me and still need a bit of “matching” in each place setting, keep the dishes and perhaps napkin rings the same. Glasses can also give consistency in giving an overall beautiful Thanksgiving table.

Where do you begin to create your Thanksgiving place settings and table?

The menu always dictates what you will need to enjoy the food. Soup requires bowl, tureens, cups; different beverages call for different glassware; dessert dictates which piece of silverware is best to use; entrees that need to be cut require the correct knife. Even bread plates or dessert plates need consideration if added to the table.

So with the menu in mind…where do you begin?

My first thought are the dishes…what dishes do you have enough of to serve all of your guests? I’m a real dishes girl when it comes to holidays…not in the paper and plastic team when it comes to place settings here. You may be comfortable with different place settings and no matching. You use what makes you happy.

Next, look at your silverware. That’s a least “matchy” problem for my table. I use what silverware that I have and try to use a full place setting of silverware that matches at each place setting. That makes it less noticeable. I have purchased commercial flatware at Sam’s so that it all matches…but I have to think about quantity over quality to use those. That commercial flatware is perfect for outdoor entertaining or guests on the screened porch or deck.

My real silver flatware is in a smaller quantity for holiday entertaining, so it often quietly sits in it’s wooden box until a smaller gathering occurs.

Glasses are the next order of business. I use real glassware most of the time for the littles that have their feet under my table, but in a smaller more manageable size for them. You make that decision for your guests.

Next, look at what available colors and resources you have to use.

Here are a few examples of the variations for colors you can use.

Pull out dried flowers, centerpiece holders or pieces that reflect what you want to use. Favorite turkeys, pumpkins, salt and pepper shakers, dishes and lay them out together to see what “look” for the table you want.

Look for inspiration in local shops, antique stores, and even historic homes. Somehow when I do that, it makes it easier to create a Thanksgiving table that fits.

Here are a few items that take me to different looks:

Cornucopias

This cornucopia is surrounded by pine cones with dried hydrangeas flowing out of the center. I added wooden look chargers under my favorite yellow plates and then centered the pumpkin napkins on the plate. I loved the addition of greenery and bells that formed the napkin ring.

Even chargers add a different look to the table…pull those out to group which ones complement your look.

Just a thought–if your seating is tight, adding the napkin to the center of the plate adds more visual interest while allowing place settings to fit a little closer to each other.

Pumpkins

Whether real or fake, I love the use of pumpkins that allow for easier conversation across the table. Outside can be a little more casual…A dropcloth table cloth with a great runner under a wooden planter all works. Even the brown hydrangeas make a statement and add variety of color for the centerpiece.

Ceramic pumpkins can make things a little more sophisticated…candle light can be used whether casual or formal. I loved using a little pumpkin design dessert plate to hold the butter to mix with the ceramic pumpkin. Even the salt and pepper shakers carried out the theme.

Acorns

Reflecting the use of acorns, wood and copper, even with a fresh fern in the middle into the place setting added more warmth and a wonderful look for the table.

I have great wooden acorns that I love to use in decorating, don’t forget to use real acorns if you have them available to create napkin rings, sprinkle across the table or add to centerpieces.

Mums

If fresh mums are available, tuck them into a great container for your centerpiece. If outdoor weather allows, as it often does here, feel free to create an outdoor seating area with an unexpected swan to hold your mums. He could even move indoors to the center of your table to create a different effect.

And more swans…

More swans just add a surprising touch to the table. They may appear holding other seasonal things for the Thanksgiving table.

Added to a copper tray, surrounded by fall corn and filled with dried hydrangea, this is one of my favorites.

Main rule for centerpieces–

Make sure that they are low enough to allow free flowing conversation across the table for guests. This is a pet peeve of mine. Often we get so carried away in making our table magnificent that we prevent easy conversation with guests across the table.

Let’s talk about candles..

My favorite real candles to burn are the tapers that are only offered during the holiday season at Trader Joe’s. They are pretty dripless and I buy extra boxes each year so that they continually burn during times of entertaining. They are easy to add to Dollar Tree glass candlesticks and added inside a Dollar Tree vase. I love that trick so if candles do drip…they don’t do damage to a table or your linens. They are shown above with the pumpkins and again, here’s a close up when they were used at my Mystery Birthday party.

Battery operated candles with timers that are set to turn on and off during evening hours are often used. It’s so amazing to enter the dining area with candlelight on so that you don’t have to worry about turning on or forgetting to turn off. A win-win in my book.

Even votives around a grouping of small vases filled with flowers can be warm and inviting. You can use either battery operated or real candles for this one. Tuck in whatever seasonal flowers you can find. My yard is usually done by then, but a few herbs, along with a bouquet of grocery store flowers can provide a stunning and low arrangement.

Another tip about candles is be careful about scented ones with guests. I have several friends who have allergic reactions to scented candles so I don’t light them during times that they are there. Pay close attention to ask those who may be your guests if they have issues before lighting them. We all know that scented seasonal candles just make things warm and cozy, but not if you are someone with allergies to them.

How to Set the Table

This is one that truly makes or breaks a gathering to me. Let me help you out with this one.

Silverware

A place setting actually tells you about the menu you are about to enjoy.

There’s an order in which silverware is placed. Forks are placed on the left of the place setting–charger, salad plate or dinner plate.

The silverware is set in the order we eat what is about to be served.

If you are having a salad, a small fork is the first fork on the outside of the dinner fork. If a small fork is added on the inside of the dinner fork, that may be for dessert. Often a fork placed across the top of the charger or dinner plate is for your dessert. Most often if a salad is served, the salad plate sits on top of the dinner plate.

To the right of your charger or dinner plate is your dinner knife. A trick to remember is that the blade is always turned toward the dinner plate. If you forget and turn the blade out…it means the person next to you is your enemy. If you have a steak knife on the right side of your plate, that lets you know that the main course will require you to cut meat, such as, turkey, steak, pork chop, piece of chicken, lamb, etc. A butter knife on the outside of the steak knife may mean you need that knife for your rolls…or to use for your salad.

A spoon placement tells what is for dinner, too. If it is placed on the outside that may tell you that your first course is for soup or it might be used to stir a beverage. A longer teaspoon is used to stir iced tea.

In more casual place settings, I have used silverware holders. They often compliment the setting and theme.

Napkins

The napkin can be placed in the center of the plate, folded under the plate or folded to the left of the silverware. Traditionally silverware does not sit on top of the folded napkin…but often limited space may have it there. If you have silverware holders, they can be used under the fork or to hold silverware.

Now if you are a bit fancy, you may do a fancy napkin fold for your gathering. The only thing I do fancy is making sure that they are ironed!

Another tip about the napkin…after it is placed in your lap during a meal, it never is placed on the table until the end of the meal. If you leave the table, place the napkin in your seat to let a server or others know you are returning to your seat. I have even had my napkin removed from the seat and a new folded napkin added to the table at finer dining experiences. That just prevents the guest from sitting on it when they return. Such as surprise when that happens!

The water glass, if served, goes at the tip of the knife on the right hand side of the plate. Other beverages, in order of use are next to that glass, such as, tea or wine with dinner. Now there are tons of other rules about different menu offerings from seafood to courses and types of beverages, but since we are usually less formal, I’ll let you research it if you prefer.

Another tip that is used for formal dinners and the Queen used to regularly supervise that the edge of the silverware be lined up with the bottom of the plate and only an inch from the edge of the table. I think it’s interesting that she felt the need to supervise the table before big events.

So…how much room should each place setting take?

There are more rules to keep in mind with place settings. The center of the place setting and plate/charger should be directly in front of the seat that the guest for that place setting will use.

For your guests to be comfortable at a table, their place setting should be a minimum of 24″ and 30″ wide for more comfort. Think about the size of your dining table and the number of guests around that table. The size of your chairs and legs under the table are part of the equation, too. You want to make sure that you can comfortably seat each guest with room to dine comfortably.

An easy adjustment to make is to extend the table. That has always been a way our family has continued to add guests to the table. Covering the table with a tablecloth that covers the table and the extension makes everything flow and gives the illusion that it’s one large table.

A few years ago we purchased a furniture designer hand created table with a built in Lazy Susan. I was sure that it would help engage conversation. I wish I had kept my previous rectangular table.

The Lazy Susan prevents use of a tablecloth unless I find a large round one and create an X in the center that I zigzag the edges and place it under the center. That leaves the center uncovered, but makes those table clothes only work with that one table.

We also learned that if we placed food items on the Lazy Susan, it became a turning game of keep away for some more fun guests.

A round table eliminates the addition of extensions and limits the count at the table to 8. I’d prefer ALL feet under one table when we gather.

Are you like that?

How you will serve food is also another consideration.

Because of the interruptions of passing food during a meal AND a lack of room for food and place settings, I have just routinely created a great buffet area for guests to return for seconds.

An area for drinks so that guests or the host can easily refill drinks and a separate serving area for desserts helps guests locate and return to help themselves.

I have found that it’s often easier to place the dessert forks and dessert plates in the dessert serving area. This eliminates extra silverware and serving dishes on the table. Don’t forget to slice desserts, if possible, to help with serving. I always leave a knife by pies or cakes in case guests want a “smaller” portion, too.

After the dinner plates and silverware are removed, guests can easily bring desserts back to their area with a clean table for dessert.

Often hot foods or large platters of turkey can’t be easily passed around the table, so the buffet area eliminates that problem. The only addition I make to the dining table is the addition of salt and pepper shakers–often small personal ones scattered around and butter for rolls. The lazy Susan allows for turning so all can reach those items if you have a round table.

Does your Thanksgiving gathering create a need for multiple tables?

If so, we have added the infamous “children’s table”. As the kids have grown, that table has even been on the screened porch or next to the larger group table.

One year when only four of us were gathered, we moved a small round table into the family room in front of the fireplace. It made for a warm and memorable gathering.

And that, friends, are some tips for Thanksgiving place setting…

Create a warm and welcoming gathering. Not stuffy. Even if you set the table in a more formal way with the use of china or silver seldom used, or even special glassware, it doesn’t have to be pretentious.

For me? The use of special dishes and special place settings that are above the “norm” for Thanksgiving or holidays just makes the whole gathering a bit more special and memorable. For our family, the cleanup together just continues returning everything to its place with more conversation.

And in the midst of the cleanup area? Don’t forget to have a tray or basket ready for guests to take “to go” boxes of leftovers home with them.

Create memories…easy conversation across centerpieces…place settings that are easy to use…and always great food. Candlelight- whether lit candles or battery operated and even soft music in the background makes the atmosphere more special.

If you are new to this blog and wondered where I got the name? It’s truly simple. What makes me happy is YOUR feet under my table to celebrate life, enjoy great food and conversation.

What makes YOU happy for your Thanksgiving gathering? Great recipes that you might find only at Thanksgiving? Soft music that calms chaos and allows for conversation? Candlelight for a special glow? Disposable dishes that only have to be tossed?

So, how can YOU create that for those gathering for Thanksgiving? If hosting…think about all who are gathered at your table. Consider special food sensitivities and allergies when creating your menu.

You might want to add place cards…the littles always love creative ways for their names added to the table. It might help group those who aren’t yet family members meet others at the table.

So when do you have your Thanksgiving meal?

Determine the time of the Thanksgiving meal that is best for all gathering. Even if just because you have ALWAYS done it at a certain time of day…it might be worth thinking through when the BEST time for everyone gathering would be.

For us? It’s the noon meal. It simply allows morning travel time or Macy’s Parade watching time. For the host or guests bringing dishes, it provides more time for baking, warming, and cooking to be timed perfectly.

It helps guests to stay longer and be ready for dessert a little longer away from all the heaviness of that Thanksgiving meal. More conversation and football watching during the afternoon OR even playing favorite games once the food has been put away.

Even those who have distances to travel home don’t feel the need to leave right after the meal. And those with littles are often seen to have them nap in their arms in the recliner.

Folks seem just to feel in no rush to leave. Relax and be comfortable. Help with clean up. Linger longer.

If the dinner meal in the evening is when your family gathers? You do you.

We found for us it always seems to shorten the gathering time for littles to go to bed or grandparents to be driven home. The break in that flow doesn’t allow for family laughter, conversation, and gathering time as the middle of the day for us.

Something to consider when planning the time that best works for you.

Whenever you have your Thanksgiving gathering, I hope these ideas will help you think through your menu, table and place setting inspiration, and even when to gather.

Need more ideas for your menu?

If you need more help in getting ready for Thanksgiving, here you go:

• Holiday Baking tips
• The BEST Thanksgiving Dressing
• Hash Brown Potato Casserole
• Green Bean Bundles
• Buttermilk Pecan Pie

And in case you need more place setting and serving inspiration? Here are a few ideas:

May you ALL have the BEST Thanksgiving ever with wonderful food, great conversation around beautifully appointed tables,

As an Amazon, Walmart and LTK affiliate, at times I may provide affiliate links to products that may offer an easier way to find products that I mention or use. Same price for you, but beneficial to this blog and at times, may offer compensation if you use them to shop. See my disclosure policy here.