How to Decorate a Mantle and Table for Thanksgiving

Decorating your table and mantle for Thanksgiving provides many opportunities to introduce creativity and warm fall colors into your home. The whole spectrum of rich golds, russets and reds is available to you, as well as the natural beauty of the season's gourds and pumpkins. Garlands and wreaths are available to buy, and you'll find yourself thinking of unique ways to combine them all. Here are a few ideas.

Things You'll Need

• Candlesticks
• Candles
• Real and artificial gourds, pumpkins, squash, leaves
• Florist's wire
• Autumn leaf garlands
• Tablecloth, place mats or runner in fall colors

Instructions

1. 

   Turn your fireplace mantle into a sweeping array of candlelight and autumn leaves, baby pumpkins, berries and twinkling lights. First, drape your mantle with an autumn garland of leaves. Then layer on a garland of artificial berries in golds and reds. Scatter a few baby pumpkins or gourds among the leaves and place russet color candles at intervals. Using three or five candles gives your display a more flowing feeling than does using an even number. Here, the matching pair of tall candlesticks are made to look different with the varying candle sizes.

2. 

   Use an autumn wreath that would normally adorn your front door as a table display instead. Add tall brass candlesticks and varying sizes of white candles in the center of the wreath to complete your centerpiece. Turn colorful leaves into napkin holders with florist's wire.

3. 

   Decorate the buffet or hall table with a grouping of artificial leaves, flowers and pumpkins.

4. 

   Create a whimsical, colorful centerpiece for the children's table with a large squash or pumpkin, surrounded by leaves. Have the children help you make a face for Mr. Squash with artificial berries, buttons or whatever is handy. For hair, use a small autumn candle ring made of artificial leaves, or a spray of berries.

Tips & Warnings

• Save all the artificial elements from your Thanksgiving decor, and use them again next year.

• In decorating for a children's table, remember that many artificial items, such as berries are inedible, and possibly harmful. Make sure children are old enough to follow instructions not to eat them.