Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas: Setting the Holiday Table

Thanksgiving is a little over a week away!  According to the National Turkey Federation, nearly 88 percent of Americans surveyed eat turkey at Thanksgiving!  The federation estimates that more than 46 million turkeys are eaten at Thanksgiving (according to 2011 stats).  If you are preparing your home for entertaining next week, here are some fun Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas that we have pulled together from our friends at Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart, HGTV and our local flower shop – McArdles.

First, what fun would it be to have your kids help gather and paint acorns from your yard?  Hang them from twigs you gather together and place them in a colorful vase on the table or a sideboard:

If you have tiered serving platters or cake stands, bring them out and fill them with flowers, fruit and vegetables for a colorful display:

Don’t forget your serving tables!  Decorate those, too!  Add in some artichokes, lettuce and pomegranates for an elegant look:

If you want to go the simple route, and still have some leaves on your trees — grab the scissors, run outside and cut a few branches.  Throw them in a tall vase and you are all set!

We love this thankful tree idea!  Trace some leaves using cookie cutters or draw them free hand and write what you are thankful to.  It’s a fun family activity!

If you have a favorite family heirloom bowl or soup toureen in a gorgeous china pattern, arrange some fresh cabbage and artichokes mixed in with ranunculus and roses.  It makes a rich, luxurious arrangement that is sure to please your dinner guests!

If you want to repurpose existing glass vases that you have — run out to the Container Store or your local Michaels and look for some faux bois or wood inspired wrapping paper.  Wrap the bases of the vases and fill them with fresh flowers and nuts for a woodland look:

As seen on HGTV, designer Layla Palmer mixed pheasant feathers with nuts:

Stack pumpkins and gourds to get some height!  Surround with greens for richness.  From HGTV:

See here how to make an apple topiary for the holidays:

This pumpkin-as-vase idea is great from Martha Stewart.  Carve out a pumpkin and fill it with flowers:

Our local flower shop here in Greenwich, McArdles, does some elegant long and low centerpieces great for Thanksgiving table conversations. They have a fabulous Fall Harvest collection of Thanksgiving selections.  One favorite is arrangement of orange, cream brown and green blooms in a driftwood vase.  It is so festive!  I have ordered from them in the past – they are great!

Let us know what you are planning as your Thanksgiving centerpiece and enjoy some of the photos above that we have curated from our favorite shelter and magazines and networks!