How to Create a Glamorous Thanksgiving Tablescape Story of Gratitude and Love
Are you feeling gratitude yet? While I’m in the throes of making homemade ice cream, deviled eggs, signature cocktails, orange & ginger cranberry sauce, I can’t think of a better way to kick off the festive season than by doing what Thanksgiving ~ this most American of holiday traditions ~ calls us to celebrate ~ and that is to count our blessings.
Even if you practice gratitude as part of your daily wellness rituals (count me in) ~ Thanksgiving is gratitude that shimmers to the moon and back. And it’s a shared family and community ritual. For me, gratitude is part of the true meaning of Hospitality.
As a people-pleaser, I can’t help but want to spoil my guests; to welcome them to our home and make them feel special…Creating a very generous reception and a kind of entertaining experience that includes drinks and food ~ well, it doesn’t get any better, does it?
Here, I’m sharing my tips to help you set a special Holiday Tablescape that tells your Gathering story. And wait for it ~ three videos at the end of this how-to feature!
Recently, I wrote about the Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s Live Online “Festive Flavors and Gatherings” that I was extremely honored to have participated in and in the blog post I noted:
“According to a recent survey done by Butterball, people say what they are most looking forward to is spending time with family as number one, followed by the food.”
I believe that creating a warm energy and beautiful tablescape is a joyful pursuit most marked during the Holidays. You are creating memories when you set a table where you and your guests can spend time in conversations and merry-making, relaxing, reminiscing, and planning better tomorrows.
The Art of the Tablescape is a thoughtful meditation on hospitality & hosting in a unique way.
Creating a memorable, special tablescape is a gift you bestow on your guests.
I just love to inspire that heart-clutching reaction when guests see the table tableau and lovingly, dreamily, gaze at the seasonal or holiday fantasy and all the details.
You are showing your love in a very artful way.
Perfection is not the goal ~ even if there was such a way to define it.
Hosting and creating a beautiful tablescape is not performative. It’s about the guests not a way to up your Martha or Joanna game for social media…
You are bringing your unique energy and personalization that will add vibrancy & intensity.
And possibilities.
I often say, it’s easy to create a pretty table. You can just put out each place setting like you were taught as a child, put out a few candles, place a floral centerpiece to anchor the look. And voila ~ you're good. (Even if this look is a bit of an altar-adjacent one… ^:^)
However, the Art of the Talescape & Gathering is about telling a story ~ creating magic with sensual elements.
You can design your holiday tablescape using your imagination and creativity. Have fun doing it!
Perhaps you can enlist your family and make it ever more joyful, whimsical. and memorable…
Here are some of my tips I’ve developed to create glorious, glamorous tablescapes. I produced an animated presentation for the LDEI event’s ticket holders, and I’m sharing some of it with you, here.
Guidelines to “Setting the Table”
Tablescape Art is a Luxury
Tablescapes are Ephemeral & Personal ~ There is no Codified “Recipe” or Manual
Tablescape Art is Subjective; Not Performative
Amplifies Hospitality & Makes Memories ~ Shows Appreciation & Gratitude
Make a Dream ~ Tell a Story
A Seasonal/Occasion/Fantasy Composition is a Conversation Starter
Mix Menu, Mood, & Magic
Your table is your canvas..🖼️
How to Style a Glamorous, Immersive, Sensual Tablescape Experience that Amplifies the Mood
Determine what style you want to create ~ there are so many from which to choose. Are you dreaming of Luxurious, or Sophisticated, or Casual, or Country Chic, or Spartan or…?
Include elements that will tickle every one of your senses:
Sight ~ Aim to create an overall fantasy at the table that is Welcoming, Entertaining ~ a Conversation-Starter
* Employ a kind of Trompe L’oeil to make a tablescape statement (shadow,
perspective, light)
* Use twinkly, sparkly, romantic lighting for nighttime magic.
* Use of Color to set a mood ~ Tonal or Highlighted
Touch ~ These are physical materials guests interact with: The texture of the crisp linens/“rough” weaves/plush chenille; placemats ~ Rattan; Raffia, Matte vs. Glossy Cutlery, Smooth China or Earthen/Stoneware Pottery; Varied Florals, Twigs, Pinecones; Natural objects: Shells, River Stones, Wooden Objects & Serving Pieces; Glass & Crystal, Accessories with tactile (& visual) appeal.
Scent ~ Activates our memories & emotions more than any other sense.
Scentscaping layers fragrances to create mood; an immersive experience.
For Your Tablescapes Explore:
* Gourmand scents: smoky vanilla, chocolate, spices, cinnamon, rosemary, tarragon, clove
* Warm and Alluring: woodsy for cooler seasons ~ warm, earthy
* Grounding/comforting/Sophisticated: vetiver, sandalwood, amber
* Can Combine with Citrus, light Florals
* Tuck a sprig into the floral design or the napkins, or on the place card names holder
Sound ~ Triggers emotions of past experiences
* Resonant sound of crystal, soft linens, silver flatware, upholstered chairs
* Curated music ~ Play List or Live: band, solo guitarist, piano.. Soft bells on napkins
💖 I’ve used tabletop music boxes to serve Appetizers; and mini Water Fountain features!
How to Create the Look Your’re Dreaming Of
Choose your Dishes according to the season, holiday, menu, & color scheme
Use Buffet Trays ~ especially pretty & fun for Brunch, Book Signings, Showers
* Set Out Cutlery in Loving Cups or Vases or Cutlery Holders ~ glass, basket, buckets
Throughout the year you can mix dessert and salad plates for different looks
Choose Linens: tablecloth or placemats ~ round or square; linen or cloth napkins; back of chairs decor: pashminas, ribbons, sachets, faux or real flowers nosegays
Select Accessories: decorative Napkin Rings, Name Card Holders, Menu Cards at each place setting or Decorative Sign for Buffets; Holiday Poppers!
Offer a take-home Lagniappe from the tablescape: potted plant, champagne splits, herb nosegay, sachet, desserts in treat bags/boxes, tins
Shop your own home…Fun to repurpose elements ~ use what you have:mirrors, jewel boxes, jewelry, cool bottles or jars, flower pots, fruits, culinary elements
Zhuzh Up Your Design
Details matter: Use Glitter, Personalized Photos at Place Settings, & on digital screens to welcome guests, Napkin Rings to amplify Holiday/Event, Signature Cocktail, Mini Cloches with terrarium-like, Nature “scenes,” Zodiac accessories for birthdays, flower petals, jewelry, Art...
Determine The Elements You’ll Use ~ Gather essentials; begin to assemble layers. Layering is key.
And don’t feel shy about changing things up. I traded out the pineapple name/seating card holders that I love to use ~ so personal ~ after my sister Sharon’s style eye caught these pretty Thanksgiving Tom & Hen rafters at their local art marketplace in South Carolina.
In a Turkey Trot exchange (!) they were winging their way to the Garden State and our table. And they look so good that I used them in my “hanging gardens.” Thank you, Sharon and Taylor and Main Street Mercantile.
Thanksgiving ~ Gathering for The Cherished American Holiday
🦃
Colors ~ Use Vibrant, unexpected Hues with traditional leaf-Browns:Think Lavender, Green, Yellow, Orange; Plaids
Hunting Imagery: Fox, Birds, Fowl Plates
Feather Placements; Double Linen Napkins (Brown & Lavender)
Mix of Metals & Materials: Silver & Gold/Bronze/Copper; Terracotta
Tortoishell Glasses & Glamorous, Glittery Tortoishell Napkin Rings
Mix Faux & Real Seasonal Florals & Nature’s Harvest & Complimentary/Fillers:
Conversation Friendly Centerpiece & Mini Vases: Don’t Block Sight Lines ~ Dahlia, Pepperberry, Callicarpa, Mums Greens, Sunflower, Star Fruit, Lady Apples, Grapes, Pears, Twigs, Leaves, Mini Rutabagas & Pumpkins~Faux (glittery!) & Real, Dried Fruit, Herbs tucked in & about...
Marigolds in copper pots to Lagniappe
Thanksgiving Poppers ~ Don’t forget the poppers! Everyone ~ all ages ~ love this fun, British tradition. I like to Pop after dinner and before dessert. It’s a fun kind of seventh-inning-stretch.
Barscapes too, are another opportunity to showcase your generosity. You can set up a warm Welcome: Hospitality/Hostess Drink/Signature Cocktail for Occasion
Pretty Hors d’oeuvres and/or Soup awaiting guests
Use Linen or (my) Couture Cocktail Napkins!
Tips for a Memorable Holiday Gathering
Dream a little
Be Inspired
Aim for seasonal, quality elements to style a magical tablescape
Allow Your Creativity to Sparkle (ask, “Why Not?) ”Perfection” not the goal
Layer elements Thoughtfully/Meditatively that welcome & delight your guests
Manifest Your Personality & Tell a Story
Use color in surprising/unexpected ways
Grace Your Table with Vibrant, Seasonal Greenery, Mixing Faux & Real
Add twinkly, moody lighting
Embellish with Accessories; Make it Personal for Your Guests
Enjoy hosting your guests & Making the Memories
Remember, you can’t get it wrong if it’s your story.
Get out the popcorn! A few videos to entertain you and to inspire you…
I hope that my Thanksgiving Tablescape this year gives you some homegrown, glamorous, seasonal ideas for your Gathering. Here’s a video tour around the table!
And perhaps the tour of these tablescapes I created for Holidays past will inspire you, too.
Enjoy this fun Time Lapse video of me setting out our Thanksgiving Tablescape
While designing a tablescape takes time ~ it’s a meditative, fun, & fulfilling experience to layer in the glamorous look ~ I wanted to give you an idea of the creative chapters ~ in an entertaining way, of course.
If you’re feeling the least bit “squishy” about practicing gratitude, consider that it boosts happiness and your self esteem, improves relationships, and in terms of your physical health ~ gratitude is that magic bullet we’ve all been seeking. It helps you sleep better, lowers your blood pressure, helps provide stronger immunity, and increases your energy. Practicing gratitude can actually rewire your brain to be more focused and positive about yourself and the world.
Cheers to you and your family and friends. I wish you all the blessing of the Thanksgiving spirit.
Please know I am deeply grateful for you as engaged readers and supporters.
Thank you.
