Thanksgiving Tablescapes - 1 Set of Decor, 2 Ways

While we are still a few weeks away from Thanksgiving, it is never too early to start thinking about your holiday tablescape! The past two years I have been a host/co-host for the big Thanksgiving dinner and figuring out the plan for the table has been one of my primary tasks. Here are two examples of how I took the same basic items and created two very different tablescapes.

Tablescape #1 - Classic Meets Childhood Nostalgia

Items purchased from Michael's:

• Silk Autumn leaves (since in California ACTUAL leaves are difficult to come by)
• Clear votive holders
• Pine cones
• White banner paper
• Crayons

Items purchased from Trader Joe's:

• Assorted mini pumpkins and gourds

Thanksgiving this particular year was a large group that did not know each other well (multiple friend groups) so we wanted to make sure the table was festive but also fun. We also had a lot of table top to cover so we wanted to get the most bang for our buck. We used folding tables which are not as wide as a standard dining table so the best use of space was to do a "runner" of decor down the center of the table. As you can see in the photo below, we alternated the various elements to create variety along the center of the table.

So what about these crayons and the childhood nostalgia? Do you remember back to your early educational years when you made Thanksgiving turkeys by tracing around your hand? Yep, we brought them back! Since we wanted to mix up the group and encourage people to get to know each other we thought this was a fun way to do our placecards! Then once you were done eating (or taking a break) you could use the crayons on the table to decorate your bird. I wish I would have taken some photos of the finished products - this was a very creative group!

 

 

While our group was a mixed bag of ages, this idea could work for the "kids table" even if you plan a more formal tablescape for your Thanksgiving.

 

Tablescape #2 - Eclectic Chic

 

When year number two rolled around and I looked to repurposing our Thanksgiving decor, I was dealing with a very different venue and group size. Dinner was for just six around the dining table at my home. I wanted to go with something a bit more formal but still fun. Items I used from the previous year include:

 

• Silk Autumn leaves
• Clear votive holders (I used some with texture that I picked up at a garage sale for just $.25 each!)
• Pine cones
• Mini pumpkins (Purchased new)

To this I added a printed tablecloth (borrowed from a friend) and a modern white vase (also from a garage sale though originally from CB2) with flowers from Trader Joe's. My original vision was with a white tablecloth and while that would have showcased the decor a bit more, I do think the table came together nicely with the addition of the lime green napkins.

 

 

 

Last year post holiday I picked up these great mini ceramic pumpkins from Crate and Barrel on sale for just a couple dollars each! They are meant to be used as a vase but could just as easily be used as a candle holder or even just on their own! Unfortunately they are no longer sold online but I did see them last month at the Crate & Barrel Outlet in Carlsbad and they ship! I believe they were just $3 a piece.

Crate and Barrel does have a great product that is available this season - dried Gourds. These are perfect if you want stick with reusable products. They come in the two colors in the photo below.

 

 

I hope these ideas have helped inspire your own Thanksgiving tabletop! Please let me know what creative ideas you are incorporating this year.

Coming later this month - Thanksgiving Cocktails!







A Trip to the Alter on a Budget

No, I have never been married myself but I been planning events since there were events to plan. Massacre Ball for Middle School Halloween? Yep, that was me. Ok, I don't think we ultimately were allowed to call it that but my chalk outlines of dead bodies made the cut complete with a blood pool. While I don't suggest that you go this route for your wedding (though for some this might be ideal), I thought I would share some links and ideas to help avoid your trip to the alter making a serious dent in your wallet.

Plan a Wedding for Under $10K

I think this link is a great place to start if you are on a budget for your wedding. It offers suggestions for all of the major wedding expenses which is helpful to find places to save even if you have already started making commitments elsewhere.

Etsy.com

Personally I have not spent a ton of time on Etsy but that is only because I know I will spend a TON of time on Etsy once I start. I assisted a friend of mine with some wedding planning a few years ago and she managed to find some amazing deals on Etsy. For example, she found a vendor to make a lovely birdcage style veil for around $50 that looked exactly like the one we found in the bridal salon priced at $250. She also purchased several pieces of wedding jewelry as well as custom designed martini glasses for her bridesmaids all from Etsy. You will be amazed at the quality (and quantity) that is available on this site. Here are a couple items I found with just a quick look:

Hand Decorated Cake Ball Truffles - 1 Dozen $20

These would be lovely on a sweet table, as a favor, or at a shower.

Custom Save-the-Date Card - Design $15

This particular designer has a variety of options and customizable templates. Once your design is complete, you are sent the final version for printing at your favorite local print shop or for an additional cost this designer can arrange on your behalf.

Idea - Cylinder Centerpieces

These Fillable Cylinder Centerpieces from The Knot.com are a useful addition to any wedding and at $5.75 a piece they are a steal. I have seem similar items at Bed, Bath & Beyond; Crate & Barrel; CB2; and IKEA but I think this looks to be the best set as they have actually been designed to work together. I have found others to be too large to sit on a table and/or the variance in height to be too great. There are so many options with these types of cylinders - candy station, candles, or florals just to name a few. Below you can find a version of a classy yet simple arrangement I often see in luxury hotels. The site I grabbed the photo from has instructions if you wish to recreate and can be found here.

Budget Weddings Magazine

Another great resource right now is the current publication by Woman's Day magazine titled "Budget Weddings". It is most likely to be available at bookstores and other locations that have a large selection of periodicals.

There are lots of ways to save on events and weddings are no different. Hopefully if you or someone you know finds themselves planning a wedding on a budget some of this information will be helpful. If you have a particular question about working around a budget with a specific aspect of your wedding, feel free to contact me and I will try to help!

More event and entertaining posts will also be coming your way in the near future! In the meantime, does anyone have any helpful cost saving tips they used at their own wedding? What about thoughts on must spend items?