Tried & True Thanksgiving Table Setting

Incorporate family pieces into your setting for a sentimental mix. James tops a contemporary blue-and-white toile pattern with Mimi's vintage transferware turkey plates and then adds a mismatched setting of his aunt's silver and new mother-of-pearl flatware.

Get the Look
Woodland Dinner Plate 10.5-inch Turkey, $46.25; spode.com
Country Estate Delft Blue Dinner Plate, $45; juliska.com
Napoleon in Pearlized Ivory, $88/five-piece place setting; rosannainc.com

Video: James Farmer's Traditional Thanksgiving Table

Fill various shapes and sizes of blue-and-white vessels, such as pitchers and ginger jars, with abundant bouquets of garden flowers, and then stagger them down the table. "A centerpiece doesn't have to be just one piece in the center," says James. Create various heights by flipping over jar lids and using them for flowers and setting pomegranates directly on the table.

Get the Look
Blue and White Lotus Temple Jar, $220; blisshomeanddesign.com
Godinger Salt and Pepper Shakers in Cobalt, $40, macys.com
Blue Fez Tumblers, $11.96/four; worldmarket.com

Bundle several thin twigs, such as curly willow, hypericum berries, and a sprig of seeded eucalyptus. Wrap everything with twine, and add a handwritten tag.

Get the Look
Venise Collection Brussels Dinner Napkin in Easy Care White, by Matouk, $135/four; shopgramercy.com

Send guests home with a yummy care package of leftovers.

• Download the "Leftovers" tags

Get the Look
Kraft Bio Pak Earth Recycled Boxes, from $11.25/12; leboxboutique.etsy.com

Celebrate Thanksgiving with James' traditional, down-home menu.

Recipes:

• Ham Glazed with Spiced Plum Conserve
• Salt-and-Pepper Roasted Turkey
• Old-Fashioned Giblet-Egg Gravy
• Mimi's Cornbread Dressing
• A Mess of Greens
• Cranberry-Orange Relish
• Ambrosia with Apples
• Buttermilk-Glazed Mini Fig Cakes with Vanilla Hard Sauce

James is an Editor-at-Large at Southern Living. His most recent book is A Time to Cook: Dishes from My Southern Sideboard.