The Thanksgiving holiday provides a wonderful opportunity to decorate a beautifully themed table that displays the delicious food you’ll be serving while also showing your appreciation for your loved ones who gather for the festive meal.
This is a special time to be thankful for your family and friends – an annual tradition where you express gratitude for all the good in your life and spend time together!
You’ll reminisce about old times, reflect on the past year’s events, tell old childhood stories, explain the significance of family recipes, play games, and enjoy each other’s company.
There will be lots of laughs, bountiful banter… and maybe a few tears or fights!
And all this excitement happens in your home on Thanksgiving: while prepping in the kitchen, hanging out in the living room, and dining at the table.
With a variety of decor items, your table setting can be a direct reflection of the theme you want to create for the day. All the food and fun will be centered around the decorative landscape you’ll design.
If you are planning a table setting that is colorful and playful, more minimalist and elegant, or autumnal with elements inspired by nature, we have some pretty suggestions for you to complete any style of your choosing.
Our top decoration ideas for your Thanksgiving table cover a range of items like linens, place settings, plateware, and centerpieces.
You already know what the menu is going to be – now it’s time to decide how to decorate your table!
11 of the Best Decoration Ideas for Your Thanksgiving Table
Linens and Placemats
With numerous options in a range of colors, fabrics, and price points, you can easily personalize a plain table with tablecloths, runners, napkins, and placemats.
Choose individual items available separately to have full control over your customized style choices, or select a matching set for value and convenience.
1. Cotton Harvest Sentiments Placemat and Napkin Set
Aiming for farmhouse chic this holiday season? Simple and colorful, you’ll love the Harvest Sentiments Leo-Xavier cotton placemat and napkin set from Gracie Oaks.
Harvest Sentiments Leo-Xavier cotton placemat and napkin set, available on Wayfair
It is sold as a set of four placemats and four napkins. These are 100% cotton and machine washable. And the complementary rustic colors will provide the perfect layout for your Thanksgiving table.
Each 13-by-19-inch rectangular placemat is a solid orange rust color with a ribbed texture. The 17-by-17-inch napkins are each a different color, and each one features a different inscription in cursive writing, embroidered in brown thread on the bottom edge.
The solid olive-green napkin is decorated with the word “blessed,” the solid yellow napkin has the word “gather,” the rust orange plaid napkin shows that you’re “thankful,” and the white plaid napkin has the word “grateful” embroidered on it.
Read customer reviews and check prices on Wayfair now.
2. Embroidered Leaves Table Runner and Placemats
If you love the look of colorful fall leaves, skip the basic white runner and go for the warm reds, oranges, browns, and golds of this embroidered leaves table runner from Simhomsen.
Simhomsen embroidered leaves 14-by-34-inch table runner, available on Amazon
With its cut-out designs in an array of fall leaf shapes like maple and oak, this runner has an intricate appearance that will bring festive style to your table.
The runner has a width of 14 inches, and is available in a range of lengths for the perfect fit in your dining room: 34, 53, 70, 89, 108, and 120 inches.
Want to complete the look? Matching placemats are also available, in sets of 4. Choose between a 14-by-20-inch rectangle shape or a 15-inch round shape.
Simhomsen embroidered leaves 15-inch round placemat, available on Amazon
Each of these items is made of a polyester blend, and is machine washable. They may be lightly steam ironed, and won’t shrink, wrinkle, or run in the wash.
Take a closer look at the designs, current prices, and customer reviews now on Amazon to bring this design to your feast.
3. Thanksgiving Coloring Placemats
Interactive and fun, kids, teens, and adults will enjoy drawing on these Thanksgiving coloring placemats during dinner!
Thanksgiving coloring placemats, available on Stonewall Kitchen
The turkey-shaped disposable placemats are made from die-cut white paper, and feature a turkey image with black outlines, tons of feathers, and plenty of room for creativity!
The set includes 12 placemats and a box of 24 pre-sharpened double-ended colored pencils.
See it to believe it! Review the details and check prices on Stonewall Kitchen.
Plateware and Dining Accessories
Do you want to add a small touch of harvest holiday spirit here and there with your dishes? Or are you looking to completely upgrade your entire plateware and servingware collection with a Thanksgiving set?
You’ll be so excited to review these suggestions next!
4. Harvest Splash Dinnerware
There is something so special and festive about a fall-themed set of plates, bowls, and cups – and perfection coordination is easy to achieve when you buy a whole collection of matching pieces!
An autumnal set like the Harvest Splash Dinnerware from Certified International is a unique option that you can exclusively – and excitedly! – bring out as soon as you see the leaves changing colors outside each year.
Certified International Harvest Splash dinnerware, available on Wayfair
Designed by painter Susan Winget, this colorful ceramic collection includes four 11-inch dinner plates, four 9-inch salad plates, four 20-ounce mugs, and four 6-by-3-inch bowls.
Sets of four 6-inch square canape plates are also available for serving appetizers, as well as a 13.25-by-3-inch round bowl that’s perfect for serving pasta or salads.
Each item features a plain off-white background with watercolor artwork of orange pumpkins, assorted fall foliage, and weathered cursive writing on seasonal themes of gathering and giving thanks. The mugs feature handles and rims in a burnt orange color.
Certified International Harvest Splash 16-by-12-inch platter, available on Wayfair
The mugs, plates, and bowls are stackable for storage, and all pieces in the collection are safe to clean in the dishwasher and use in the microwave.
Complete the set by purchasing a matching 16-by-12-inch rectangular platter for serving the roasted turkey!
Find this collection now on Wayfair.
5. Turkey Napkin Rings
It’s all about the details! Something as small as selecting matching napkin rings will bring more cohesion and elegance to your Thanksgiving table.
For beautifully designed napkin rings with a hint of humor, you will love this 4-piece turkey napkin ring set from Saro.
Saro turkey napkin ring set, available on Wayfair
Made with aluminum, these silver-colored rings feature a stylish turkey shape with textured feather details.
They are 3.5 inches tall and 3 inches wide. And they should be wiped clean after use with a dry cloth before packing them up for storage until next year.
Read customer reviews and check prices on Wayfair.
6. White Pumpkin Place Card Holders
Invest in elegant white pumpkin place card holders from Kate Aspen for an upscale, personalized touch at each table setting.
Kate Aspen white pumpkin place card holders, available on Amazon
This 12-piece set features small white pumpkins with short, golden stems that hold place cards.
The pumpkins are made from resin with a solid white finish, and each one is 1.3 inches in height and 1.8 inches in diameter.
Also included with your purchase, you’ll find 14 Kraft paper place cards in a natural brown color with gold foil leaf details. The cards are 1.38 inches in height and 2.36 inches in width.
Serving a crowd? A bigger set of 36 pumpkin holders and 42 place cards is also available.
Read customer reviews and check pricing on Amazon.
Centerpieces
As the ostentatious focal point of the dinner table, your centerpiece is a static, artistic display that emphasizes your unique theme.
While plates, platters, bowls, and flatware are in constant movement and motion, the centerpiece remains as the most stable decoration while dining.
Small or large, tall or short, just one piece or many, it provides a steady source of visual stimulation for your guests to enjoy throughout the entire Thanksgiving meal.
7. Assorted Mini Pumpkins
Strategically scatter an assortment of mini pumpkins in the center of your table to create a whimsical atmosphere.
Mini pumpkins in white, burlap, and black/white plaid, available on Amazon
Sweet and cute displayed on their own, they are also ideal accessories to display surrounding taller centerpieces, or they may be arranged in bowls and trays.
Choose from a variety of materials and colors to match your chosen theme.
This set of white foam, light brown burlap, and black and white plaid cloth pumpkins are perfect for a neutral color scheme, with 12 individual pieces in 3 subtly different sizes: 2.6 inches by 3.1 inches, 3.3 inches by 3.3 inches, and 2.8 inches by 3.1 inches.
If you don’t prefer plaid, you can choose an 18-piece option with just white foam and light brown burlap in 3 different sizes.
Like the texture of burlap but you want more color? Choose this set of 12 with colored burlap in green, orange, dark brown, light brown, and white. This selection includes mini winter squash in 6 different sizes.
Another colorful option is this set of 15 velvet pumpkins in white, green, orange, and light yellow in four different sizes.
Review all of the available options now and find your favorite on Amazon.
8. Dried Wheat Bouquet
The embodiment of an autumn harvest theme, this centerpiece from Gracie Oaks is a bundled arrangement of dried wheat stalks.
Gracie Oaks dried wheat bouquet, available on Wayfair
No vase needed here! The stalks are positioned to be even and flat on the bottom, so the arrangement can stand upright on its own for a natural presentation that does not need to be watered.
The bouquet features two light brown burlap ribbons tied around the stalks.
Made from natural products, the dried bouquet may vary slightly in size. Minimum dimensions are 14 inches high, 8 inches wide, and 8 inches in diameter, while the maximum dimensions are 15 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 9 inches in diameter.
The overall weight of this decorative piece is 2 pounds.
To maintain its quality, keep the bouquet away from wind, moisture, and direct sunlight so you will be able to enjoy it for many years to come.
Pick one up to add to your holiday decor now on Wayfair.
9. Gold Pumpkins
A simple and sleek gold pumpkin will provide an understated hint of cool style to any table.
Small gold pumpkin, available on Stonewall Kitchen
This decorative centerpiece or adornment for the sideboard is made from cast aluminum with an antique gold finish. The whimsical long black stem features a tapered swirl at the tip.
It measures 5.25 inches in overall width and length, and 8 inches in height.
There is also a taller option available that is 10.75 inches in height.
Tall gold pumpkin, available on Stonewall Kitchen
Looking to create a chic, modern pumpkin patch as part of your design aesthetic? Consider adding more than one pumpkin to your collection of fall decorations, in both sizes!
Review the details and find purchasing information now at Stonewall Kitchen.
10. Metal Pumpkin Harvest Candelabra
For a centerpiece that brings warmth and light to your cozy dining surroundings, a fall-themed candelabra from The Holiday Aisle is the perfect choice.
Holiday Aisle metal pumpkin harvest candelabra, available on Wayfair
Measuring 6.5 inches tall, 28 inches long, and 11 inches wide, this metal holder is decorated with artificial autumnal ornaments like leaves, mini pumpkins, flowers, pinecones, feathers, and berries in a red, orange, and yellow color scheme. It weighs 1.52 pounds.
Featuring three candle stands, each with a diameter of 3.5 inches, the stand in the middle is slightly higher than the two stands on the sides for an attractive display.
A matching 24-inch wreath is also available, to greet your guests at the door or hang above the mantel.
Holiday Aisle 24-inch wreath, available on Wayfair
Candles are not included with your purchase. To complete the look, make sure you choose unscented candles to decorate for your Thanksgiving meal. You don’t want anything scented to interfere or clash with the amazing aromas of your home-cooked feast!
Or better yet, choose flameless, battery-operated candles as a safer and cleaner option. Consider this 3-piece flameless LED pillar candle set from Symple Stuff. Each unscented ivory candle measures 3 inches wide by 6 inches tall and features a flickering artificial flame, and a wavy top edge detail.
These run on a timer, and each candle requires 3 AAA batteries to operate, which are not included with purchase.
To add this festive candelabra to your display, find it now on Wayfair.
11. Turkey Set
You won’t be able to eat this pair of polystone turkeys, but they will be a fun dinner display while you are feasting on the real thing!
Polystone turkey set, available on Stonewall Kitchen
They are both brown in color, with subtle variations of shading throughout the textured features.
Both turkeys are 7 inches in length and width. The turkey that is sitting is 8 inches high, while the one that is standing is 10 inches high.
Find purchase information and check customer reviews at Stonewall Kitchen.
How Will You Add Your Personal Touch?
Let these suggestions be the inspiration to spark your own creative ideas!
It’s always fun to work around a theme, and you can find pieces that will seamlessly coordinate with items you already own.
Perhaps you like to garden, or you live close to a local farm market with an array of fall flowers and foliage, apples, corn, and winter squash available. Handpicking fresh and seasonal selections to feature at the table along with other items you have purchased to reuse again from year to year will bring fresh personalization with whatever you choose.
Or maybe you love to feature family heirlooms and decorations that have been passed down through the generations to be displayed proudly at the table each Thanksgiving holiday.
No matter your decorative theme for Thanksgiving, don’t forget to look beyond the table itself, and remember the purpose and significance of this day:
Giving thanks for all your blessings!
For more Thanksgiving tips, Foodal is here to lend a helping hand. Get our best advice now with these articles on how you can plan and make the most of this fall holiday celebration:
- 7 Tips to Survive Thanksgiving (Or Christmas) Dinner
- 9 Quick Tips to Stretch Thanksgiving Dinner
- 19 of the Best Thanksgiving Dinner Hacks
© Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Credited photos via Wayfair, Amazon, and Stonewall Kitchen. Uncredited photos via Shutterstock. Originally published on November 21, 2014. Last updated on November 2, 2022.
About Nikki Cervone
Nikki Cervone is an ACS Certified Cheese Professional and cheesemonger living in Pittsburgh. Nikki holds an AAS in baking/pastry from Westmoreland County Community College, a BA in Communications from Duquesne University, and an MLA in Gastronomy from Boston University. When she's not nibbling on her favorite cheeses or testing a batch of cupcakes, Nikki enjoys a healthy dose of yoga, wine, hiking, singing in the shower, and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.
Great tips! I always have at least 10 people over for thanksgiving and I like to impress them. Most of these ideas seem simple, impressive, and affordable which I love! I’m going to make a table runner and decorate it with what I have around. Thanks for the tips!
Centerpiece ideas are a-must to make the table more attractive. I wanted to try putting a photo frame of family picture, and little lamps instead of candle. I love the idea of putting a note to each person’s napkin and has a message indicating why you are thankful for them. That’s really sweet!
Great ideas i must say…i especially love that tip of slipping a note on each person’s napkin stating why you are thankful for them…its these small things thought outside the box that make the festivity more enjoyable and much more memorable. Gladly noted and saved for future reference :).
I really love the idea to make a photo collage of family members next to the table! It is so important to cherish the family we have with us and the family members who aren’t present. This is a great way show thanks for the good memories we share with our loved ones. Plus, it could spark interesting stories at the Thanksgiving table!
Thank you for all of the great tips! This is my first year of having an actual dining room table so I am super excited about decorating it during the holidays!
This is some really great information. I always entertain between 8 to 10 people every year, so this is a great way to show them just how much you appreciate them. I really like the idea of personalizing each napkin with the individuals name, along with the sideboard of past Thanksgivings. I think I might do this one this year since my Uncle passed away last year. This will be a great way to remember him.
The dishes and glassware in the picture are lovely. My Mom always had special plates and silverware she used on special occasions and holidays. I don’t have room for anything extra in this house, but I do have some amber colored glassware and candle holders that would be perfect for the Thanksgiving table. I think your suggestion about putting a note at each person’s place about why you’re thankful for them is a wonderful idea. I can’t always be with loved ones on the holidays, and I think I will incorporate notes on that theme in my holiday and birthday cards from now on.