The Fancy Eatin' Table.

Forums: Thanksgiving, Holiday Meals, Dining, Holiday Decor
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For the first time in my life I have relatives coming to my house for the Thanksgiving holiday! I'm having four, maybe 6, people coming and I am so excited!

Mr. B, Mo and I live a very casual life. We typically fill our basic stoneware plates in the kitchen and eat with mismatched silverware at the banged up dining room table. (Yes! We're still eating in the dining room!)

I realized I didn't have any serving dishes so I hit Goodwill and bought some really pretty cut glass bowls of various sizes to hold the food. The basic stoneware and mismatched silverware and glassware will have to do.

I would like to dress the table up some just to make the day special. It's a smallish table in a smallish room so I can't do any elaborate centerpieces or anything too major.

What are your favorite ways to dress up the table without breaking the bank?

Thanks!

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Type: Question • Score: 10 • Views: 3,215 • Replies: 17

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@boomerang,

Colorful cloth napkins, colorful beverages, pretty garnishes, candles and some sort of Autumn themed scattering of items around the table such as gourds and maize and fruit.

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@boomerang,

If it is banged up, u may wish to conceal its wounds
with a nice, large tablecloth, to begin with.

David

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@Butrflynet,

Here are some good examples:

http://bp1.blogger.com/_-gkxWFOLJL4/R0XB72-TRsI/AAAAAAAAAjU/jPYwMVu3p_Y/s320/ThanksgivingFeast.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2079455912_72d9840989.jpg

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@Butrflynet,

Good Will (etc) often have colorful table cloths that are more stain resistant than old damask... and if there are spills that aren't removable, the cloths can be cut up or thrown out later.

Depending on the table underneath, you might be needing some kind of hot pad(s) to protect the surface.

I'm a candle at table scaredy cat, but I might have them going in a safe place.
My family have always been autumn leaf strewers - I've no real opinion on that, don't do it myself. I do like a good bouquet of some sort, but not necessarily at the table - people like to see each other.

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You can also go to some place like Cost Plus or Pier 1 or Ikea and get runners and placemats for little cost.

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The FOOD is an important way to dress it up, too.

Don t forget yummy desserts.
Adequate research and exploration shoud be devoted to this.

David

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@ossobuco,

I guess I should explain, my idea of a bouquet is pretty broad, including "found stuff" in the yard.

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@boomerang,

I also like doing lots of itty bitty (short) bouquets, as sightlines are very important to me. I buy 1-2 "big" bouquets (Trader Joe's often has stuff that's good to mess with) and then divide them up amongst my many-many little vases. Goodwill is a great little-vase resource, Pier 1 is good for new ones.

Like osso, I also just go out in the yard and get this and that -- snippets of pretty leaves, whatever is alive and interesting.

Agreed that linens are a great way to add color/ interest. (Tablecloths, runners, napkins, placemats...)

Can also make napkin rings -- wire, some glass beads, whatever strikes your fancy.

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Great ideas! Thank you!

I'm a good cook and an excellent baker so I'm not worried about the food end of things at all. Everyone has expressed a preference for "tradional Thanksgiving" foods so I can handle that without stress.

Linens! Absolutely I need to do that. I hadn't thought of that at all. That'll make a HUGE difference.

I have a horrid light fixture over my table, really awful. I've disguised it with a big lamp shade but I'm thinking the horrid part might make a good appartus for hanging some crystals or beads or something sparkley....

Thanks everyone!

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@boomerang,

for a fun table covering alternative, grab one or a couple of interesting coloured sheets at a thrift shop - then layer saris or other large interesting scarf-y things over top - you can dress a big table for less than $10 and it's all mmmm recyclable (one of those vintage green/orange/brown sheets might be a fun base with a gold sari over top)

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@boomerang,

Oooh, an ugly light fixture! What a substrate to play with....

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I'm officially getting all fired up for Thanksgiving.

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@boomerang,

Do your guests have a sense of humor?...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/88/281385522_91ba99fb84.jpg?v=0

If not ...

http://www.celebrating-thanksgiving.com/images/pumpkin-centerpiece.jpg

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If your table is small you can use another old table, or a dresser cover with a tablecloth and use as a buffet table. That'll keep the sittin' down table less cluttered.

Or, you can use the dining room table as the buffet, and people can eat in the living room.

Places like Garden Ridge (don't know if you have them there, it's a home decor type store, but really cheap. It's where I get all my vases, lamps, artificial flowers, dishes, holiday decorations) are really cool. You can find great artificial foliage, placemats, runners, etc for next to nothing. I just got a comliment last week on my dishes...they cost $1 each, who's to know?

Look around in the $1 section in Target, or go to a dollar store.

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How fun! I love doing Thanksgiving when it is all the family.

Do you have a sideboard or other furniture in the dining room? If you do use that for a floral arrangement of some sort, like others mentioned previously and spread all your new bowls and serving pieces on it.

Coordinate your regular crockery with a new table cloth and napkins from one of the discount home goods stores. We have an Old Time Pottery with really good prices.

Along with the light fixture, dress up your window with fall colors and decorative items. If you have a plain window covering use a fall foliage type spray across the top.

Most important at Thanksgiving and what all will remember is the family and conversation, not so much the table or the serving dishes.

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http://bp2.blogger.com/_Y8ivEwTwk28/RdEd0dxaEAI/AAAAAAAAABU/D314vIcBu0A/s320/Banquet+Hearty+Turkey.jpg

http://www.liquidation.com/shared/auction/images/photos/5238/5237637.jpg

http://www.mediamarketing.ba/mat/dizajn/BiBox5L_Bijeli.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y175/eta_carinae_311/september%202007/DSC02215.jpg

a perfect day

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If you live in a milder climate where leaves are still dropping, they are a free way to really make your table look cool. You can pile them up or spread them all around, even under plates and napkins. Look for bushes covered in late season, brightly colored berries. A sprig or two is all you need. Squash is cheap - gourds are a waste as you can't eat them later.

You can also pick up a few themed pieces of tableware, such as a "turkey" gravy boat, and festive serving plates. As suggested before, Cost Plus (World Market) is a great place to find them.

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The Fancy Eatin' Table.

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