Thanksgiving is all about focusing on what really matters: family, friends and the ultimate comfort food. If you are opening up your home this Thanksgiving, that usually means you will be decorating. If you are still searching for ideas and nothing sounds just right, here are a few decorating ideas and tips that might help you along your way.
Bring the outdoors in:
Take a stroll around your yard, gathering items from nature that will set an autumnal scene: Branch clippings, fall leaves, pine cones, and acorns are some charming finds.
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Candles:
Candles can add a warm touch to any Thanksgiving dinner. Every host knows candles are a go-to when you want to create a cozy ambiance. Long tapers and substantial pillars are elegant, but compete with taller floral arrangements and can give off a surprising amount of heat. Stick with more petite votives in cute holders for a simpler effect. You can even add fresh festive cranberries to the votives to give an even more complete look to your table.
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Tablescape:
Chargers may seem like an unnecessarily luxury, but they go a long way toward setting a table for special occasions. Pick up a versatile set in silver and gold, and use them for an infinite number of events to come. Burlap table runners look very beautiful. At $2 or $3 a yard, burlap is one of the cheapest fabrics available and plays nicely with a rustic-chic vibe. You can get a great bang for your buck by trying it as a table runner.
Thanksgiving Wreaths:
Thanksgiving wreaths can be fun to make, and a well-made wreath may even bring some surprising compliments. Tasteful and elegant at any time, wreaths made in fall colors are a beautiful addition to your decor.
Play with elevation:
A flat tablescape can look very plain, so rely on footed serving dishes and dessert stands to add some height and clear a little space below them for shorter items. It will give a more dramatic feel to your table.
When in doubt, go with white:
Let your scrumptious food be the star by selecting white platters, plates, and bowls. Bonus: You probably already have a bunch of these staples in your cabinets.
Turkey Napkins:
Folded turkey napkins are a simple way to spruce up your Thanksgiving table. Your guests will think they are adorable! Use linen napkins for a classy touch.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece:
A cornucopia is a great idea for the centerpiece. Filled with leaves, elegant pale gourds,s mall pumpkins and other fall foliage such as fruits. Cornucopias remind us to be thankful for nature’s bounty.
Pre-bundle your silverware:
Here's a task you can do days in advance: Wrap your flatware with napkins and secure with a piece of twine and a small festive pumpkin. Or add a natural touch to each place setting by weaving a sprig of dried wheat through a handwritten place card. Place each set on a plate or keep it casual by gathering them in a basket.
No matter what Thanksgiving decorations you use, whether elegant or fun, hand-made or store-bought, the key is not to overdo it. Don’t let yourself get so caught up in making the decorations perfect that you forget to enjoy your friends, family and food.
May you have many things to be thankful for in the years to come. Happy Thanksgiving!
Janine Vairo is a Real Estate Agent at Kelly Associates, Real Estate Inc. located at 780 Boston Post Road in Darien, CT. She can be reached at 203.621.0998 or janine.vairo@kellyrealestate.com.
Janine blogs about trends in the real estate market and home decor. Follow her on Patch and subscribe to receive new posts and like her on Facebook.
