A Thankful Table

So here are (finally) some of my thoughts for great looking Thanksgiving tables (can you believe it’s so close? Where does time go?) Above is a version of what I did at my wedding for place cards. I used small seckle pears which looked amazing and bought copper topped long pins and pinned names to them. Such an easy and elegant way to add a little something extra to the table.

Below are some non-floral ideas, since centerpieces certainly do not have to contain flowers. The colored lanterns below are made with simply sheets of layered tissue paper (see the November issue of Martha Stewart Living for directions). Use a long platter and top it with candles wrapped in veggie stalks- put a tight rubber band around each candle and then insert asparagus or green beans- mix in some candles (votives in mini pumpkins or artichokes work too) to complete it.

I’m crazy about the bouquet of feathers below from Domino- chic, simple and looks fabulous when mixed with brown transferware dishes (check Homegoods or TJ Maxx for similar ones). Another idea is to bunch wheat stalks with gorgeous moire ribbon atop a burlap tablec loth (Ballard has similar tablecloths). For either arrnagement place a feather or wheat stalk on top of each napkin as well.

Simple putting a grouping of Moravian star lanterns down the center of a long table with the lights dimmed would be so enchanting! Get some similar ones here.

I absolutely swooned over the kale and cabbage arrangement below left in Martha Stewart- I have always loved the blooms of kale in it’s many color varieties. Tot he right is another version in an antique copper pot- very appropriate for this holiday!

Thanksgiving tables don’t need to always be red and orange. It’s still festive, and even more chic, to stray from that expected scheme and try chartreuse and brown or gold and blue! I am loving the gold spray painted pumpkins below as table seating cards as well- and it’s so easy!

Some accents to add to your table- laying down layered ribbon on your table runner or putting birch sleeves over your vases (Pottery Barn sells these!) I also love the idea of filling these moss pots each with a single kind of flower or nice big bunches of the kale from the arrangement above.

And to reward yourself for a job well done, a pear cranberry cocktail with rosemary courtesy of Martha.

• 2 tablespoons dry cranberries
• 1/2 cup organic pear nectar
• 32 ounces Moscato d’Asti wine
• 8 small sprigs fresh rosemary