How to Decorate a Thanksgiving Coffee Table

Perk up the coffee table with a festive Thanksgiving tablescape. Here are some ideas for creating the Thanksgiving mood!

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pilgrim Or Turkey Thanksgiving Candle Thanksgiving Figurines
• Indian Corn
• About 1 1/2 Yards Thanksgiving-motif Or Fall-color Fabrics
• Bunch Cut Chrysanthemums
• Large Baskets
• Many Fallen Leaves
• Many Garden Cuttings
• Miniature Pumpkins
• Potted Croton
• Several Decorative Gourds
• Taper And Votive Candles
• Citrus Fruits
• Pumpkins
• Bowls

1. Create a horn-of-plenty-style vignette directly on the tabletop with a basketball-size pumpkin, gourds, Indian corn, acorns, autumn leaves and other fall-harvest produce (apples, pears, pomegranates, cranberries, etc).

2. Set out a large pot of chrysanthemums blooming in fall colors (maroon, orange, gold, bronze). An alternative is a potted croton plant, which has green leaves mottled with coral and gold.

3. Purchase a couple of yards of fabric in either a Thanksgiving motif or in fall colors (a pretty plaid, stripe or paisley, for instance). Scrunch it up or snake it around the tabletop. Nestle in candleholders, Thanksgiving-motif candles, gourds, small pumpkins, Thanksgiving figurines such as turkeys and pilgrims, etc.

4. Fill a large decorative bowl (silver, brass, or rustic ceramic) or basket with harvest fruits, nuts, acorns, leaves, gourds, miniature pumpkins, pomegranates or Indian corn. Flank with a pair (or more) of fall-colored tapers in metal candleholders.

5. Fill a large clear-glass bowl or vase with citrus fruit (lemons, limes or oranges depending on the scale of your vessel) Add water to the bowl, then make an arrangement using cuttings from your yard (ground cover, ivy, shrub branches, for example) along with purchased mums or other cut flowers in fall colors.

Tips & Warnings

• Walk all the way around your coffee table to be sure the view is attractive from every vantage point.

• Keep the arrangements low enough that seated guests won't need to contort themselves to make eye contact while talking.

• Place the biggest item in the center of the table and let other items frame it.