Learn to embrace the mix and match style for your Thanksgiving table.

In our household, our Thanksgiving table setting tends to be more on the eclectic side of things and includes a lot of mix and match (or a mishmash, depending on your point of view) of dinnerware, utensils, decorations, napkins and the like. That’s more out of of necessity rather than invention, if I’m being honest, but we do also appreciate a Thanksgiving table that’s not so “matchy-matchy”.

Our family, and the way we choose to eat our meals together doesn’t really call for having a super elegant table. We like things a little more rustic, practical and comfortable. Our Thanksgiving table is one that is lingered over–sometimes from the lunchtime meal until dinnertime turkey sandwiches–and that means we place an emphasis on enjoying good food and each other’s company.

The reality that you don’t have a large enough dinnerware set or enough red wine glasses for all the invited guests should not keep you from entertaining or from enjoying the feast. Instead, artfully mix and match your table for a creative Thanksgiving table that will make it appear effortless and like you planned for the effect.

5 Tips to Mix and Match Your Thanksgiving Table

1. Avoid Symmetry – Symmetry can make it more apparent when your table setting and decorations aren’t even in number or if something is missing or different.
2. Patterns Can Be Good – If you don’t have enough matching plates, mix two sets together and alternate the sets or all guests on one side of the table the same plates.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Break the Rules – Not everyone has to have a stemmed wine glass. Alternate stemmed glasses with stemless to stretch your glassware.
4. Have Fun – Really invest yourself in mixing and matching. Make it the motif of your Thanksgiving table. Visit thrift stores to stock up on entirely different dish patterns and/or invest in cloth napkins in different autumnal colors and hues.
5. Great Centerpieces and Table Decor – Get creative with your Thanksgiving table centerpieces and table decorations. Adding handmade touches to your table can bring the whole look of mixing and matching together.

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Top Image: decoratethetable.com

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Check out these Thanksgiving crafts for tablescaping your harvest table.

With Halloween just around the corner, that means that there’s a little over four weeks to get ready for Thanksgiving. If your family is like most American families, then Thanksgiving is the most important food holiday of all time, and that is some serious business. There is so much to do to prepare. Not only do you have to plan the menu around everyone’s food allergies and sensitivities, come up with the seating arrangements (it is an election year after all), order the organic free-range turkey and figure out who is bringing dessert. But you can’t overlook those Thanksgiving crafts you want to make for the table. While you aren’t necessarily Martha Stewart that doesn’t mean you can’t have a stunning table that will wow your guests, and hopefully keep your politically conservative and liberal uncles distracted enough that they behave at the table.

Because you have enough to do without having to look up creative DIY Thanksgiving crafts for decorating the table, we’ve done that work for you. Here are some great Thanksgiving crafts you can make ahead of time to add some beauty to your harvest table. Mix and match whatever ideas strike your fancy.

Thanksgiving Crafts to Make Your Thanksgiving Table Pop

1. Goldleaf Centerpiece – Stick with nature, but go glamorous with this idea for painting leaves and twigs gold and using a 4” x 4” wood block to secure them.
2. Doily Table Runner – Sew doilies together to make this shabby chic table runner.
3. Pine Cone Placards – Use pine cones to hold hand-lettered placards.
4. Wheat Centerpiece – Add dried wheat and other dried grasses to a vase tied with a ribbon bow for a dramatic centerpiece.
5. Acorn and Twine Napkin Rings – It can’t get more simple than this.
6. Pine Cone Centerpiece – Keep is simple with pine cones and a tabletop sconce.
7. Indian Corn Placecards – Use ribbon and colorful Indian corn with hand-lettered cards.
8. Kids’ Table Giant Coloring Printable – Not so much a DIY project as a great printable. This coloring page can be printed out up to 36″ x 48″.
9. Ribbon Tied Utensils – Adding ribbon is one easy way to jazz up your table.
10. Turkey Folded Napkins – Learn to fold cloth napkins in the shape of a turkey–you know you always wanted to learn how.
11. Burlap Utensil Holder – Make these stenciled burlap utensil holders with just some paint, burlap and a hot glue gun.

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Top Image: Nick Bastian Tempe, AZ

The post 11 Thanksgiving Crafts to Start Now for Setting Your Holiday Harvest Table appeared first on EcoSalon.

Halloween and Thanksgiving are just around the corner and that means it’s time to create fall centerpieces that celebrate the harvest season.

Making your own fall centerpieces doesn’t mean just plopping some gourds on the table. Autumn is full of rich colors and textures, and there are many ways to create a gorgeous tablescape around fall centerpieces.

While we all love Halloween and Thanksgiving creating all-season fall centerpieces means not putting anything too literal on the table–so no turkey pumpkins or spooky ghosts. Instead, look for something that’s an elegant nod to an appreciation of the season. 

Here are 7 elegant ideas for eco-friendly fall centerpieces and tablescapes:

1. The All-White Table

Image: One Kings Lane

Nothing says drama and elegance like an all white table. And all white doesn’t need to be white tablecloth fussy, but can be done in a rustically charming way. For example, use white muslin for table coverings, add dip-painted gourds, include fall centerpieces of white mums and add some white candles for an easy all-white look that works everyday. 

2. The Foraged Table

Image: Creations B yShelly

Making fall centerpieces is a wonderful way to add nature to your table. Some ideas include using twigs to decorate glass candle holders, adding brightly colored leaves to a vase, grouping pine cones and acorns together at each place setting or creating a bouquet of dried grasses and flowers tied with a red ribbon.

3. The Farmhouse Chic Table

Image: Bloom Shoppe

Creating a rustic farmhouse chic table is easy and perfect for a homey table. Just add some old mason jars alternatively filled with candles and autumn foliage. Another ideas is to use old wooden library card catalog drawers as planters for mums or fresh herbs as a centerpiece. Finally, use rustic cloth napkins–make your own from old fabric scraps or buy some unbleached linen or cotton ones.

4. The Bounty of the Season Table

Image: Nick Bastian Tempe, AZ

The colors of the season are just beautiful enough on their own. From deep red apples and purple grapes to golden blush pears and coppery figs, the bounty of the Earth is both delicious and gorgeous. Use your farmers’ market haul to create fall centerpieces your guests can eat. Pair with fall flowers like cabbage roses and mums to complete the look.

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