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!







Happy Halloween on the Cheap

Happy Halloween! This is my favorite time of year - costumes, scary movies, and candy! What's not to love about Halloween?! Next weekend will likely be the big weekend for Halloween parties and I have got some great accessories to share with you that will make your bash chic on the cheap!

We all know what a gem Target is for our regular household needs, inexpensive DVDs, etc. however they are really outdoing themselves at the "Dollar Spot" these days. The following items can all be found there or in the Halloween section for just $1!

Halloween Coasters - The perfect way to keep your furniture safe from the libations you are brewing in your cauldron. At 8 for $1, you can pick up a bunch and not feel guilty about recycling them at the end of the night!

Bottle Labels - Printable bottle labels are all the rage. You can download them online (some are free, others may charge a small fee) or simply pick up these great labels for $1! They come either in a set of 4 wine bottle labels or a set of 8 assorted bottle labels

Favors & Accessories - Target has a great selection of party favors and accessories at that low low price of just $1. My personal favorite is the set of 8 glow in the dark fangs. Let's be honest - this is an item that is fun for all ages. Who DOESN'T want glow in the dark fangs?

Of course everything magical can't cost just $1 but Target doesn't disappoint with a few other great finds for a bit more coin.


Fancy Pumpkin Decorating Kit - Pinterest is full of clever ways to decorate pumpkins beyond the traditional carving. Thankfully Target put this kit together for just $5 that takes the guess work out of fancy pumpkin decorating! You too can fool your friends into thinking you are the next Martha Stewart!

Chris Marsh Big Fun Wigs - Chris Marsh (of Project Runway fame) has designed the crazy foam "wigs" featured below. With each wig priced between $15 and $20, they are very affordable. With a wig like these, you can probably find something simple in your closet to complete the look! My personal favorite is the pink one titled "Pink Afro".

This is obviously just the tip of the iceberg at Target. Please let me know if you pick up any of these great items for your own Halloween bash or find another gem!

Happy Halloween!!!