Country Living (above two images)
My daughter and I went to the craft store the other day and bought a bunch of supplies to make little crafties for the holidays. Bear in mind, when I say “crafts” I mean ridiculously simple ideas. We made our first item on Sunday and after we make a few more I’ll take some photos to show you our creative genius.
While we were searching for inspiration on what to make, I of course was scouring the photos I could find online to see what was out there, especially for holiday tables. And I’m sharing them here today so you can see.
I think with a few basic items you can create a really fun Thanksgiving table and other special touches for your holiday.
To start planning, think about what you want to use for a table runner and napkins. You don’t have to have fancy linens either, look for things you have around the house like maybe unused curtains, fabric pieces, burlap, sheets, pretty kitchen towels, canvas drop cloths, bed coverlets, quilts or blankets.
Next, gather up a few of these next items for a festive Thanksgiving table on a very reasonable budget.
- CARD STOCK PAPER
- SPRIGS OF FAUX LEAVES AND BERRIES
- RIBBON
- BUCKETS OR GLASS JARS
- OUTDOOR FOLIAGE (CUT THE DAY OF EVENT SO IT IS FRESH)
- PINECONES
- GOLD SPRAY PAINT (GO ALL CRAZY WITH THE GOLD PAINT)
- FRUIT & VEGGIES (PUMPKINS, GOURDS, SQUASH, APPLES, PEARS, ETC)
- PLATES ON PEDESTALS (VARIED ELEVATION ADDS DRAMA TO TABLES)
- NESTS
- VOTIVES
Lastly, HAVE FUN! Holidays are a great time to add some drama to your table (and just hope the drama comes from the decor and not your relatives.)
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Meghan 11.06.08 at 9:12 am
Such luscious designs!!!
Thanksgiving is my fav holiday, yet this year I am not cooking.
Think we are going to the in laws…there’s fun & good times for you…I would rather eat nails! LOL
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Kjersten 11.06.08 at 9:15 am
Beautiful collection. I am inspired to start planning and creating. Thanks!
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shelbi 11.06.08 at 9:31 am
melissa, you are such a blogging Goddess! how do you do it all!
i so admire you!
shelbis inspiring blog post..::: sneak peeks ::::
Linda@Lime in the Coconut 11.06.08 at 9:32 am
Ooooooh…gorg table settings and ideas!
Thanks for the inspiration!
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Lorrie 11.06.08 at 9:37 am
Lovely inspiration. Almost makes me wish we had Thanksgiving to look forward to…but we’ve already celebrated! And it was good. I’m moving on to Christmas!
Lorrie
Coco 11.06.08 at 10:13 am
Love all these inspiration pics…I have some of the same ones saved. Great tips too, setting the table is one of my favorite things to do!
Cocos inspiring blog post..inspiration turned reality…
alice 11.06.08 at 10:17 am
great ideas, can’t wait to see your crafts.
alices inspiring blog post..Andrea and David
jennykate 11.06.08 at 10:30 am
What beautiful tables! I’m definitely going to try out some of these fabulous ideas!
Thanks for always being so inspiring!
jennykates inspiring blog post..
Liberty Post Editor 11.06.08 at 10:33 am
The plate from Pottery Barn at the bottom has kidnapped my heart and won’t give it back! What shall I do?
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Adrienne 11.06.08 at 10:53 am
Thanks for the inspiration, Melissa. I’ve begun to think and plan for Thanksgiving Day at my house. I’m not sure yet who will be here but no matter how many or how few it will be nice!
~Adrienne~
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Darlene 11.06.08 at 10:55 am
I would love to see a bunch of Thanksgiving tablesettings…perhaps you can initiate a Mr. Linky thingy??
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Jen 11.06.08 at 11:06 am
Thanksgiving was in October
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room 11.06.08 at 11:50 am
It is just weird that you Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving so early.
Although I have to say it would be nice to have more time in between Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Mrs. Q 11.06.08 at 11:59 am
I love the golden fruit, but I am not too crazy about having barnyard animals as a centerpiece…lol! Those tables are lovely.
Mrs. Qs inspiring blog post..Save and Share!
gina 11.06.08 at 12:33 pm
I LOVED that place setting from pottery barn- I posted about it when it first came out- i could have moved into that catologue.
These are some pretty ideas- I like the polka dotted napking with the ribbon and cardstck “ring”.
ginas inspiring blog post..HAPPY GIRL
Miss Janice 11.06.08 at 1:10 pm
I love your site. These settings are awesome! I will be back…
Miss Janice
Debbie @ ribbonwood 11.06.08 at 1:40 pm
This gives me several ideas…I love the pictures you posted. I always love to set the table for Thanksgiving. We do something different every year table decor wise, I love some of these ideas….hmmmm….I will have to keep a file of all the goodies you show!
Are you packing yet?
Blessings!
Debbie
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Pinky 11.06.08 at 2:25 pm
I am now on a HUNT for turkeys that I can spray paint!!! I just LOOOVE the gold ones in the MS picture!!!!!!!! Oh dear, I HAVE to have them!!! Thanks for the inspiration!!!! I would LOVE to celebarte Thanksgiving earlier than we do. I need more time between Thanksgiving and Christmas….mainly cause I decorate like a crazy fool for Christmas!!LOL!!!!! Thanks for these wonderful pictures!!! Pinky
Laurel Plum 11.06.08 at 3:45 pm
Some really great tablescapes! Lot’s of ideas to pull from! I am really kind of surprised at some of the ones I’m drawn to, too. A few a very far from my normal choice of style! Thank you for the inspiration!
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Julie 11.06.08 at 4:29 pm
Thanks for sharing such beautiful tips in decorating the table. I love it!
Julie
Julies inspiring blog post..
PamperingBeki 11.06.08 at 5:09 pm
This is a step up from paper plates, for sure!
They’re all so lovely!
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laurie miller 11.06.08 at 5:36 pm
You’ve inspired me to get decorating!!!
Elizabeth 11.06.08 at 7:00 pm
These are great inspirations! I love the “damask” plate from PB!
villa anna 11.06.08 at 7:55 pm
We don’t have thanksgiving down under but I am very excited and already planning my christmas table this year.
Anna
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Amy from Texas 11.06.08 at 8:28 pm
I always try to set a beautiful table, but we like to eat family style and have too many dishes on the table for anything pretty. Our food is our decoration:-) I’m chuckling a bit at the first photo with the feathers in the cup. Only because my husband might really think they were edible if I did that! Makes a good magazine shot though, but I wonder how many people out there really fill cups with feathers? hee. hee. I want those plates for sure though!
Amy from Texass inspiring blog post..Meet My Husband
Kathleen Ellis 11.07.08 at 5:16 am
What great inspiration, Melissa!
Can’t wait to see the “crafties”!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Kathleen Elliss inspiring blog post..Easy Elegance for Your Table……
Christi from Charm & Grace 11.07.08 at 6:23 pm
Beautiful! Love your ideas …especially the stamped napkin “ring”. The warm colors of autumn just draw my creative juices out and get my ideas pumping. TFS!
Blessings,
Christi
Suzann 11.07.08 at 6:37 pm
Thanksgiving will be “my” holiday someday soon. I’m loving collecting all of these amazing ideas that someday I will incorporate into my own celebration.
Christine 11.07.08 at 8:55 pm
What great ideas,… and leave it to Marth to paint those pumkins such a rich color! I like the siple brown ribbon through the card up at the top. I might have to sneak away from here with that idea…lol Thank you so much for sharing some really great ideas. You have inspired me.
Christines inspiring blog post..Some things are just better left alone
Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates 11.07.08 at 11:29 pm
Those are all gorgeous! I have to keep it very simple so we have enough room for all the food!
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Carrie 11.07.08 at 11:29 pm
Those are some gorgeous ideas! Beautiful!
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Debbie 11.08.08 at 7:35 am
These are such great ideas! You give me inspiration every time I come to visit your blog. Thank you.
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naturegirl 11.08.08 at 10:15 am
Thanksgiving has come and gone here in Canada but I can still admire from afar!
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Jules from The Roost 11.08.08 at 5:47 pm
thank you SO much for all your tips. The table setting are beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration.
Colleen Felz, Homeschool Coach 11.09.08 at 5:26 pm
I love the “Give Thanks” stamped place cards by Country Living. That looks so easy to make that I think even I could make them! Perhaps the kids and I have a project to do for Thanksgiving this year. Thanks for the ideas!
Tamara 11.09.08 at 9:51 pm
Gorgeous table setting ideas! I think I’m going to start making fancier table settings from now on…….hmmmm………how am I going to find the time?
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