Thanksgiving Table Decor

While I realize that Thanksgiving is over and NOW EVERYONE is in Christmas mode, I still wanted to share my Thanksgiving table because the structure and ideas would translate perfectly into your Christmas table decor as well.

So, sit down.

Grab a leftover turkey sandwich and check out my table.

I had gathered some new materials, mostly from the Dollar Tree, but also from Hobby Lobby and Wal*Mart.

The "Thankful" blocks from Dollar Tree set the color scheme.

Buffalo check and traditional fall colors.

I have a gigantic roll of brown paper that I purchased from Amazon.  (This roll has done so many different projects and there's still tons left!)

I cut two equally long pieces and placed them on my table.

I had to overlap because I wanted it as a "band" on the table and not a total covering.

Using a tape runner (but two-sided tape or a glue stick would work as well), I connected the two lengths side by side.

Doing this allowed me to work with the two pieces as one big piece.

It kept things even on both ends as well.

I made sure that I had about 6 inches overlapping on both sides of the table.

I wanted to turn my overlap into a scalloped edge, so I grabbed this small condiment cup as my guide.

I used a pencil to draw my scallop, moving the cup from the middle point down to the ends.

Starting the scallops in the middle of the paper allowed me to have an even number on both sides.

I took my scissors and hand-cut each scallop.  It took no time to have both sides done.

I centered the paper on the table and made sharp creases on both edges.

Now comes the easy part...

Dollar Tree glass cylinders, candles, and black sand were easy to assemble.

I put about an inch of sand in first, dropped a candle in and nestled it down in the sand a bit, then added a bit more sand around the edges.

I laid the table runner perpendicular to the brown paper.

I added a short riser, the "Thankful" blocks, and the candle holders.

After that, I added the three floral arrangements and worked my new and old decor in and among them.

The wired burlap leaves from the Dollar Tree were a great addition especially because there were easily manipulated to curl up and give the centerpiece some height and texture.

All of the glass, burlap, and plastic pumpkins were from the Dollar Tree as well.

I scattered them around the middle floral arrangement, making sure to trail them out and around the candle holders.

I had grabbed 4 dinner and 4 dessert/bread plates from the Dollar Tree.

These are a pretty creamy-white with a gold band edging.  I'm not a china girl, but for something formal like Thanksgiving, these plates are a great, affordable alternative to expensive, rarely used china.

If you purchase them, they can only be hand-washed and NEVER placed in the microwave.

I only bought 4 because if I have more than 4 guests I'm going with paper plates!

I made napkin holders from Dollar Tree napkin rings, some cooking twine, and Dollar Tree wooden leaves.

I created them similar to the ones I shared previously on this blog.

The full place setting looked like this.

The emerald green wine glass is from, you guessed it, the Dollar Tree.

The silverware is mine.  I am not sure of the name since I've had it for years, but here are some similar styles.

When I was done, here was my table, ready for our Thanksgiving feast.

We were a small group of 4 this year, but we had a great time and dinner was a no-fuss, no stress experience.

I loved the views from all the different angles in my dining room.

For my two guests, I created some simple gift bags.

I created the turkey tag right on the computer with some free clip art images and added a ribbon from a Dollar Tree roll.

Each guest got some candy and holiday tea towels.

I would be remiss if I didn't share just a bit of the organization behind the scenes of dinner preparation.

The day before a big gathering where I'm doing the majority of the cooking I set up all my needed tools, serving dished and utensils, and recipes.

Yes, they are laminated, but when you are working with lots of food at one time you can make a mess of paper recipes that are not protected.

I make sure to write the time that I needed to get each dish in the oven, crockpot, or roaster.

Doing this lets me mentally plan the day out so I know when I have time to get myself in the shower and ready for guests.

Whether you are planning a big or small dinner, don't overlook creating a beautiful table setting.

Pick something as a theme - colors, decor items, season, or special occasion.

Look for affordable items that you can make look expensive.

There are no rules that it has to be over the top AND costly to boot.

Creating a Pumpkin Vase

I wanted to make a few small centerpieces for my Thanksgiving table this year.

I used some items I had already and created this.

It was easy to do so I thought I'd share.

A few weeks back, I created this rope pumpkin using a $1 styrofoam pumpkin from the Dollar Tree.

I had purchased several of them and knew they were hallow.  This made them perfect for vases.

Using a box cutter, I cut a circle out of the top of the pumpkins and discarded it. (Just like you cut a regular pumpkin.)

From there, I painted 2 coats of creamy white that we always have on hand because it's the trim paint for our entire house.

It took two coats to cover the orange completely.

I just staged them over some caulk tubes and a small portion of a cut pool noodle to dry on my workbench in the basement.

They were just a bit too "white" for my needs, so I pulled out my trusty Valspar Antiquing Glaze in Asphaltum and gave each pumpkin a bit of age.

Using a dry cloth, I rubbed the glaze on then off, allowing it to settle in the groves and texture of the styrofoam.

I set them aside to dry overnight into "antiqued pumpkin vases."

The next day, I took them all upstairs and pulled out my juice glasses from the cupboard.

I checked for "fit" into the cut opening, making adjustments along the hole to fit the glass through cleanly but securely.

The glass was the perfect height of the pumpkin.

I soaked my floral foam in water until it was thoroughly saturated.  

The trick to soaking foam is to drop it into the water and allow it to gently soak up the water.  If you force it, there will be lots of dry patches on the inside of the foam.  Give it time.  When it's soaked through it will sink to the bottom.

I cut my piece to fit snugly inside my juice glass.

You can see that it's been used before, but as long as it's not totally hole-ridden it can be used again.

I can get 2 uses from one oasis foam.  

I cut the foam taller than the glass which in turn made it taller than the pumpkin.

I split a piece of scotch tape down the middle to make two skinner pieces of tape.

These were crisscrossed over the foam and secured to the sides of the glass.  It keeps the foam from floating on the water that's in the glass, especially as it begins to dry out.

I carefully dropped the glass and foam inside the pumpkin.

Here you can see how it eclipses the edge of the pumpkin which is important for this arrangement.

You'll see why in a minute.

I had visited Posey Palace earlier in the day and purchased some loose florals.  I highly recommend doing this as a more cost-friendly option than purchasing from the grocery store.

All of this cost me around $25.  It's WAY MORE than what I would be able to get for the same price at my grocery store.  AND...these flowers were delivered this morning so I got them fresh off the truck!

I pulled out my green fern-like plant and stripped off the individual fronds from the main stem.

Starting on one side then moving to the opposite side I placed the stems into the sides of the oasis, parallel with the countertop.

With the oasis sticking up over the edge of the pumpkin, it's easier to camouflage the rough opening of the pumpkin, the glass, and the oasis this way.

I worked in a circular motion with the greenery until I had a "wheel-like" configuration as the base of the arrangement.

A good rule of thumb when working with flowers is to cut the base of the stem at an angle.  This allows the flower to continue to gather water because the tip of the angle is on the bottom while the actual angel is open to drinking.

Another tip to making your blooms "open" is to gently rub the edges of the bloom to separate the individual petals.  It won't hurt the flower at all!

Working in a circle, moving the pumpkin around and around, I began to place flowers.

I used the white mums as the center point/focal flowers and then built below it on all sides.

As I turned I looked for places where there were gaps.

When selecting and placing flowers I always like to have blooms in different stages.

This gives an arrangement texture and interest.

Unless a bloom is brown, faded, or wilted, I try to find a way to use it.

Baby's breath is a great way to add a pop of white and fill bare spots in an arrangement.

You can see a gap here.  The baby's breath snuggled right in and because it was white it made the red mums pop even more.

An idea I've seen plenty of times in commercially created bouquets is a looped grass element.

I looped my grass, wrapped it a few times around the base and stuck it back through the wrapping.

I then cut the firm bottom portion on an angle that allowed it to ease into the oasis.

And in a few minutes, I had my first of three arrangements completed.

I love the pumpkin!  It looks like it's porcelain when we all know it's really styrofoam. 

From all angles, the arrangement has interest and texture.

My finished table setting will be up on the blog this Saturday, so look for the trio of arrangements.

I hope your Thanksgiving day is wonderful, relaxing, and filled with great food and fun.