Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year! Whether you have loads of friends and family overspend time together, or you simply use the holiday to quietly reflect upon the year, creating a nice ambiance can make the season even more enjoyable. Grand Rapids, MI is rich in locally grown and sourced options that can make your Thanksgiving table took amazing. In fact, there are so many Thanksgiving decoration ideas and materials that it can be overwhelming. Let’s Make It Simple! Here are some scenarios we will cover:
- Making It Your Own
- Sizable Table, No Space
- No Centerpiece, Please
- I Don’t Like Autumn Colors
- No Gourds, No Way
- The Details
1. Making It Your Own
Thanksgiving Table Space
Most households have plenty of table space for a typical dinner with the family. But what about Thanksgiving? “Family” can take on a whole new meaning when it comes to how many seats are at the table and how many dishes will need to be passed. Do you have a separate table for the serving dishes? If you do, you may have more options that can stay on the table throughout the meal.
Kids
Do you have a special table reserved for the younger crowd? If you will have younger children at the main table, you may want to stay clear of any décor with height. While having height diversity within your table arrangements looks spectacular, you may be inviting disaster to join the table when a little one knocks a vase over.
Budget
Not everyone can spend a fortune on seasonal extras, but it sure is nice to provide a festive atmosphere. We will discuss a few options for the budget-conscious host.
2. Sizable Table, No Space
What if you have a sizable table, but no extra space once everyone takes their place and the serving dishes are arranged? This is our favorite scenario because it is common and because it has a multi-purpose solution.
This is where we utilize the vases and platters, and other movable arrangements. If your family Thanksgiving is anything like mine, your company enjoys a time of conversation and mingles for a while before the meal is served. It makes sense to want your table to look amazing before it gets consumed by the food.
Having your centerpiece(s) relocatable allows for the table to look great and be cleared quickly. It also provides a secondary use for the arrangements in that they can be re-located throughout the room to boost the festive feel and be appreciate throughout the meal. In this case, you would want to avoid a bunch of loose elements unless you are working with something that the dishes can safely and comfortably be placed upon such as leaves or greenery.
3. No Centerpiece, Please
Is a centerpiece not your thing? No problem. You may not need to have a table decoration double for room décor. In this case, it may be a good idea to make mini arrangements. Whether or not you make something for every place setting is up to you. But, by going smaller in scale you increase the likelihood of being able to keep your treasures on the table throughout the meal. Additionally, you can spark a bit more interest by making subtle differences amongst each table piece.
4. I Don’t Like Autumn Colors
Maybe warm colors aren’t your thing. Or perhaps the color scheme of your home does not lend itself to a traditional autumn fee. We have you covered! The key is simply to decide what type of feel you are hoping to achieve overall. If you want something more elegant, you can stick with white for your table settings, and accent with some white gourds (sized appropriately for your space) and white flowers. Our example photo shows a rose, but you can use almost anything you prefer. If you are aiming for a more casual look, incorporating some playful color will do the trick. Blue or green gourds, blue corn, and neutral-colored elements such as wheat, hemp, and burlap can give you an autumn feel without the traditional colors.
Maybe warm colors aren’t your thing. Or perhaps the color scheme of your home does not lend itself to a traditional autumn fee. We have you covered! The key is simply to decide what type of feel you are hoping to achieve overall. If you want something more elegant, you can stick with white for your table settings, and accent with some white gourds (sized appropriately for your space) and white flowers. Our example photo shows a rose, but you can use almost anything you prefer. If you are aiming for a more casual look, incorporating some playful color will do the trick. Blue or green gourds, blue corn, and neutral-colored elements such as wheat, hemp, and burlap can give you an autumn feel without the traditional colors.
5. No Gourds, No Way
Gourds tend to be an affordable go-to for many Thanksgiving enthusiasts, but they are not for everyone. Another beautiful option that will not break the bank is some fruit! This is another multi-purpose solution. Not only will your table look great, but you can invite your guests to enjoy this nutritious embellishment as a pre-feast warm-up. Grazing never looked so good. Something to keep in mind is that you want a sense of warmth and comfort. Also, don't forget that not everything has to be super easy to eat. Incorporating some pomegranates and walnuts into the mix is a move often reserved for the most elite of decorators (don’t forget a simple nutcracker). Lastly use a seasonal tablecloth and sprinkle in a few leaves to bring it all together.
6. The Details
Thus far we have focused on the decorations themselves but let us not forget the details. If you are not into hauling decorations in and out for each season, consider focusing on the details. Here are a few ideas that will take up little to no space in your home, yet make an impact at the table:
- A neutral tablecloth and napkins with festive napkin rings
- A Thanksgiving Table Runner
- Place cards made from seasonally colored cardstock
- Chargers
- Seasonal or Neutral Candles (getting into décor, I know)
However, you decide to achieve the atmosphere you want is great. Large centerpieces are not necessary, nor does everything need to be fresh. You could get a very nice dried arrangement from your local florist that can be used year after year.
If you want to go all out, use elements from all of the areas we discussed in this article. If you want to brainstorm a custom show-stopper display or a casual arrangement, stop by for a conversation at our charming shop in Byron Center, MI. Tandem Studio Floral works with local providers and supports the community by helping make the most important events more memorable. Let us help you with your Thanksgiving Table Masterpiece. Set up a time to chat by calling 616-888-0219 or just stop by during our convenient store hours.
