Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with one of these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Food and Recipes
  3. Holiday and Occasion Food
  4. Natural Thanksgiving Table Decoration Ideas

Natural Thanksgiving Table Decoration Ideas

By Amy Bickers
Skip gallery slides
FB
Acorn and Fall Leaves Thanksgiving Table Setting
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

Recreate this look for your table with Thanksgiving table decorating ideas and a complete list of sources. Thanksgiving table settings to some are even more exciting than Christmas. Preparing for and setting your Thanksgiving table is the kick-off for the holiday season. There are so many different table-decorating and Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas and many are around a theme – rustic, elegant, traditional, more modern, and organic are just a few. Each table should have its own personality and you can see that a rustic table setting is a more seasonal and non-fussy approach. Liz Demos selected to go with woodsy and elegant accents to make her guests feel at home this Thanksgiving. There is no need to make elaborate Thanksgiving centerpieces to bring punch to your holiday table. We suggest using a happy balance of inexpensive grocery store flowers and bits from your garden as the centerpiece. Keeping it simple means you too can try this come November. These are the Thanksgiving table decoration ideas that will really wow your guests this holiday season.

Start Slideshow

1 of 8

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Rustic Elegance

Rustic Elegance
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Savannah designer and stylist Elizabeth Demos looks to nature's best for her warm table. "I wanted it to be rustic and woodsy­—sans gnomes," Elizabeth says. "A fabulous table setting can be as close as the local tree service, the farmers' market, or your own backyard." She stresses there are no rules when it comes to a lovely tablescape. "You don't have to use objects for their intended purposes. I used petite tart tins for individual salt and pepper holders and canning jars for candleholders. Look at your own possessions in a different way," Elizabeth says. "Dig deep in your cabinets. There are some gems hiding in there." She also loves to shop estate sales and the Web (etsy.com is a favorite source) to score great accessories.

Oil painting: by Bert John; bertjohn.com.

Hotel silver, chairs, linen draperies, and glassware: Vintage General; vintagegeneral.com.

Our Editor's Picks from Elizabeth's Table

1 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Start with a Plate

Acorn and Fall Leaves Thanksgiving Table Setting
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

Simple white plates paired with timeless flatware and thin stemware keep this more rustic setting looking elegant. Bold orange napkins give the setting a pop of seasonal color.

China: White Oak by Sophie Conran for Portmeirion; portmeirion.co.uk.

Flatware, bread and butter plates, carving set: antique from C. H. Brown Fine Silver & Antiques; 912/236-0732.

2 of 8

3 of 8

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Stack a Multilevel Centerpiece

Stack a Multilevel Centerpiece
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Use cut logs to create different levels at the center of the table. You can also use wooden boxes or vintage books. Stack the logs along the length of the table, and top some with moss, others with small arrangements, and still others with candles.

Log slices from Winter Woods; winterwoods.com.

3 of 8

Advertisement

4 of 8

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Create Small Arrangements

Create Small Arrangements
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Use silver serving pieces as petite vases for individual blooms rather than creating one large floral centerpiece. Elizabeth used dahlias, lamb's ears, drumsticks, yarrow, and artemisia leaves for her fall look.

4 of 8

5 of 8

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Use Playful Place Cards

Use Playful Place Cards
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Write the name of each guest on a leaf place card attached to a little felted acorn that doubles as a fun party favor. Scatter loose felted acorns—or real ones—up and down the table to play up the natural theme.

Felted Acorn Place Cards and Loose Felted Acorns by Fairyfolk; fairyfolk.etsy.com.

5 of 8

6 of 8

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Stamp a Simple Design

Stamp a Simple Design
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Gently press a faux wood-grain tool over chilled pats of butter cut into 1⁄4-inch slices. Adjust your position so each butter pat looks different. Keep butter chilled until ready to serve. Do not stack or overlap them. For more fun, look for butter presses at estate sales.

6 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Finish With Candles

Finish With Candles
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Complete your look by adding candles. Elizabeth used simple canning jars along with lanterns from Roost. The lantern glass complements her fall color palette.

Festival Lanterns by Roost, available through Velocity Art and Design; velocityartanddesign.com.

7 of 8

8 of 8

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Embellish the Buffet

Embellish the Buffet
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

The easiest holiday hors d'oeuvres are nuts. Serve them in mismatched silver bowls, varying heights with more cut logs. Top your wine carafe with a fresh fig for a seasonal touch.

8 of 8

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Amy Bickers

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 8 Rustic Elegance
    2 of 8 Start with a Plate
    3 of 8 Stack a Multilevel Centerpiece
    4 of 8 Create Small Arrangements
    5 of 8 Use Playful Place Cards
    6 of 8 Stamp a Simple Design
    7 of 8 Finish With Candles
    8 of 8 Embellish the Buffet

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Natural Thanksgiving Table Decoration Ideas
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.