Fresh & Modern Thanksgiving Table Setting

Iain Bagwell
Tasia Malakasis, one of the South's premier cheesemakers, gives her family's Alabama thanksgiving table a fresh and modern look.Before Thanksgiving comes around this year and you go into autopilot creating your annual table, take a look at these fresh Thanksgiving table decoration ideas. They don’t require a pricey new set of china, instead these are small, but significant ideas to update your table. Using neutral, everyday dishware, let the Thanksgiving centerpiece make the statement on the table. Wheat sheaves paired with lower, fall-colored flower arrangements scattered down the center of the table are easy-to-assemble Thanksgiving centerpieces. Start a fun new place setting tradition this year too – inscribe small silver picture frames with the phrase “I’m thankful for…” Frame individual pictures of guests and place them on each place setting as a truly welcoming way to assign seats. As another extra special touch, make things lively for the children. Make feather headdresses that will keep them interested in the lengthy Thanksgiving meal and have them waiting for them at the kid’s table.
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The Place Setting

Iain Bagwell

Keep your table simple and timeless by topping silver chargers with white plates. Layer an oversize linen napkin between the plates to add natural texture.

Get the Look:
Merletto Antique Dinner Plate, $36; arteitalica.com
Hotel Silver-Plated Charger, $34; potterybarn.com
Napoli Vintage Napkin, 22 inches in Flax, $24; libecohomestores.com
Sparkle Wine Glass Set, from Marquis by Waterford, $100/four; na.wwrd.com
Pewter Goblet, by Boardman Silversmiths, $80, available through Bromberg's; 800/633-4616
Michelangelo, $75/five-piece place setting; oneida.com

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The Centerpiece

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Give a nod to the harvest by pairing autumnal floral arrangements with bundles of wheat sheaves; wrap them in burlap and satin ribbons.

Get the Look:
Extra Large Blonde Wheat Cone Bundle, $59.99; curiouscountrycreations.com

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The Place Cards

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Instead of using written cards, fill small frames with photos of each guest. Tasia engraved her frames with "Thankful for..." so she can reuse them each year.

Get the Look
Modern Silver-Plated Frame, 3 by 3 inches, $14; potterybarn.com

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The Kids' Table

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Mimic the adult table but with more kid-friendly picks: pewter julep cups, everyday white plates, and paper napkins and place mats. Wrap napkins with ribbons, and attach feather plumes for a festive headdress.

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Favor Idea!

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Send guests home with a breakfast treat of bagels and Belle Chèvre fig spread; bellechevre.com.

Get the Look:
Bake and Give Wooden Bakers, $14.95/six; kingarthurflour.com; 4.5-oz. Weck Canning Jar, $2.95; crateandbarrel.com

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Get the Menu: Fresh & Modern Thanksgiving Menu

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipes:

Citrus-Roasted Turkey with Lemon AïoliKale-and-Collards SaladCorn PuddingRoasted Root VegetablesStuffing-Stuffed OnionsSweet Potato GratinCarrot Cake with Chèvre FrostingFresh Berry Topping

Tasia's harvest feast is brimming with new seasonal ideas.

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Meet Tasia Malakasis

Photo: Courtesy Spoiled Rotten Photography

Tasia is the author of Tasia's Table: Cooking with the Artisan Cheesemaker at Belle Chèvre.

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