Decorating for Thanksgiving...
At my house, Thanksgiving decorations go up the day before Thanksgiving…and come down the day after Thanksgiving, lol!
Thanksgiving and Fall in general, are my favorite time of year. But the traditional fall colors are hard to blend into my everyday home decor.
So, a couple years ago I thought…I don’t have to have orange, gold and brown for my Thanksgiving table. I’m going to throw in some fun colors and mix it up a bit!
Inspiration and Main Theme...
Starting a new display from scratch, usually begins with a color or item.
In my kitchen area, there is an old cupboard that I store my fiestaware and other dishes in.
Sitting there, side by side, were a vintage set of aqua glasses…and my orange plates, it looked to good together!
Instant inspiration! I was determined to coordinate my front bay window with my table decor too….usually I can’t wait to put up my Christmas decorations. So the window is Christmas and the table gets a sad excuse for Thanksgiving decor, lol!
To blend the two areas together, I bought a few colors of felt that went with the colors I wanted to use for my fall and Thanksgiving decor. The main colors were Aqua, Rust, Brown, Green and Tan.
Cutting triangle shapes from the felt, then sewing across the top edge, continuing to lay another flag down as I sewed along, made a simple pennant.
Hanging the pennant at the top of the window added a fun splash of color and helped blend the unusual color combination together.
This was a very temporary display…because at my house, when Halloween is over, it’s Christmas Time!
Going around the house, I found items that would match, but not be too hard to change out in a few days.
Aqua and Orange?
The last few years, I’ve used this color combo, adding it to my old cupboard too.
Piling up my fiesta ware dishes, gives a cheery display.
It’s hard to tell in the picture, but the pig and lamb are big enameled metal discs. i bought them from a gal on fb marketplace. She worked at a children’s museum that was changing decor, they had hung there for 30 years!
I bought a set of four, a chicken, duck, pig and lamb. They are quite large, about 22 inches wide…and super heavy. i love them so much.
Until Thanksgiving day, when I would use the dishes, I put them on the shelves, and top of the cupboard.
Chicken napkins, a few dried flowers, a couple serving pieces and other goodies that will be easy to grab when needed.
I’ve used the pennants in many ways over the years. This time I hung it over and old cupboard to add a little joy.
Traditions...
Even though, I don’t go “all out” to decorate for Thanksgiving, there are always my little favorite things to put out almost every year.
These place card holders were on clearance at Kohls, probably 20 years ago, lol. They wobble and have held up through toddlers, and teenager
Another long time favorite are these turkey shaped butter plates. Each place setting includes this little dish, with extra pats of butter.
Putting it all together...
All the table leaves go in, on Thanksgiving only, lol! With all four leaves in, my table is 10 feet long.
It BARELY fits in the room with benches or chairs at the ends, lol.
I have a few tablecloths that will fit when all the leaves are in, but usually just mixing and matching a couple are more my style.
Using the new color combo, I start setting the table using fiesta ware and a few of the traditional things dear to me.
Adding a new favorite...
One year, I used cream colored woven place mats, and a runner in the middle.
Pictured below is the blue/green pumpkin I bought from my friend, Penny, at her barn sale. Isn’t it pretty?!
Since then, I grow them in my pumpkin patch and they are a customer favorite.
They are called Jarrahdale, and have beautiful orange insides…wonderful for cooking and store beautifully too.
Kids table...
The dining room table holds up to 14 people with all the leaves in…but when we have a full house, I seat the kids at the island.
These turkey placemats are old too, lol. But I wipe them off and pack them away each year…for the “little” kids.
Fresh color palette...
I’ve had fun with my fresh new colors at Thanksgiving for a few years. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box and change it up a bit.
Typical Thanksgiving...
Setting the table the day before Thanksgiving gives me time to enjoy it…for a day, lol!
This is the typical scenario…I couldn’t wait to dress my front window with the latest “Christmas theme”, so the Thanksgiving table once again takes the back seat to my beloved Christmas decor.
As you see this room is half Christmas and half Thanksgiving. Can anyone relate?
Love Thanksgiving...
Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE Thanksgiving!
I love to cook and bake. Having my family all around the table is precious to me. The night before when the kitchen is clean, the casseroles are prepped and in the fridge, is a peaceful feeling.
Also loving that the whole next day is about thankfulness. love, food and family.
Honesty...
Honestly, my absolute favorite part of Thanksgiving weekend, is left overs AND getting that fall stuff put down in the basement, so I can put up my Christmas trees, lol!
Fondly, Sandy
