I love when November arrives! Not only are we still enjoying beautiful fall weather, but all things “holiday” commence. One of my favorite things to do throughout the holidays is to entertain, whether it be a small intimate dinner party, or a fun Christmas evening full of appetizers and cocktails!

So, today I’m going share with you my 5 essential tips for creating a gorgeous Thanksgiving tablescape (even though these tips apply to every type of tablescape)!

No. 1 ~ Palette

I always start with a base – white dinnerware (you can pair anything with white) and then I begin to layer the table with different colors/dishes.  Keeping with the white palette as your base creates a cohesive feeling with the rest of your decor.  Also, because white is such an easy color match your options should be endless for different styled napkins, place mats, flowers, serve ware, etc.

No. 2 ~ Theme

Picking a theme makes the table more festive, and of course this setting is all about Thanksgiving and Autumn.  I loved the “thankful” line of dishes from Crate and Barrel, and kept the color scheme simple with added touches of gold.  I also added some winter squash for a nice seasonal feel.

No. 3 Fresh Blooms

My personal opinion is that your tablescape should always have fresh cut flowers.  You can have one beautiful centerpiece, but I love having little bouquets in vases, scattered among the table.  Each vase is different so the look so it gives the table a little more character.  For everyday flowers I usually hit up Whole Foods or Trader Joes, but when I’d like to have multiple kinds of blooms I always head to a local florist.  The lovely ladies at the Kendall Flower Shop helped me pull together these beautiful flowers of burnt orange, antiqued pink, and bright greenery with bursts of cranberries.

No. 4 ~ Candles

You always need different levels of lighting, and having candles provides that perfect soft dinner glow.  Also by using the lanterns and the pillars I was able to play with different heights, which adds another level to your decor.

No. 5 ~ Details

Always be sure to incorporate small details.  It’s these details that will make the decor memorable to your guests, and also make them feel special.  I loved the gold etching on the linens and the salad plates for this Thanksgiving setting.  I also adore my new cutlery with the gold honey bees.  Sometimes I incorporate name tags to give the table a more personalized feeling as well!

I hope this helps you with your holiday dinners through the season.  And with Thanksgiving coming up I’m grateful my husband is home for the holidays….what are you all thankful for?

XO, Shannon

Plates: Pottery Barn (no longer available, but found similar here)

Salad Plates : Crate and Barrel

Napkins: Crate and Barrel

Napkin Rings: Crate and Barrel

Lanterns: Pottery Barn

Candle Pillar: Pottery Barn

Place mats: Pier1

Silverware: Horchow

Wine Glass: Pier1

Water Glasses: Pottery Barn

Flowers: Kendall Flower Shop