Non-traditional Thanksgiving Table Settings

The Thanksgiving table settings are traditionally made up of an autumn color scheme, accessorized by acorns, squash and pine tree boughs. As lovely as the autumn palette and the symbols of bounty are, you may want to try something a little different to make your tablescape exceptional.

The All American Tablescape
Thanksgiving is an American Holiday. Red, white and blue are the American colors. Switch your palette up and celebrate the holiday with Americana colors while still showing the spirit of the holiday.

Lay down a white tablecloth; the shade should be a bit antique or candlelight, rather than a pure white. Use mid-tone blue napkins and a runner of the same color. Tie the napkins with red and white ribbons. The red should be persimmon red or cranberry red and the white the same shade as the tablecloth. Use white serving ware and dishes.

Down the center of the table, along the runner, set up groupings of persimmons, cranberries and apples in silver-plated bowls. Add a few candles in silver candleholders and you have a simple, elegant Thanksgiving tablescape.

The Vegetarian Tablescape
If you have vegetarians at the table, they may appreciate a Thanksgiving setting that celebrates the bounty of fruits and vegetables and the absence of poultry.

Obtain a styled turkey sculpture. A painted ceramic turkey would be appropriate. It can’t be a “cooked” turkey; it needs to represent a live, strutting turkey in all its turkyness.

Obtain a printed bumper sticker that reads “I ‘heart’ Vegetarians”, on which the word heart is actually an image of a heart. Place the bumper sticker on the turkey’s backside, across its feathers. This is your centerpiece.

Lay out the rest of the table in a traditional tablescape. Let the centerpiece speak for itself.

The Global Tablescape
Though Thanksgiving is traditionally an American celebration, America is, traditionally, a global society. Create a tablescape that celebrates the Great Melting Pot.

Obtain little flags of each of the countries of origins of your guests. The flags should be of the type used in floral arrangements. For as many flags of other countries, have an equal number of American flags.

Obtain florist foam and moss, and as many small, round glass bowls, approximately two inches across, as you have guests. Place a portion of the foam in each bowl. Put a flag of the country of origin and an American flag in the foam in each bowl. Hide the foam with moss. These act as your place cards.

Lay down an earthy brown tablecloth and use white dishware. At each place setting, place the appropriate flag. For example, the McBrides are of Irish decent, so you would place an Irish flag place card at each of their place settings.
For the napkins, use a color that is in the flag. The McBrides, for example, may green or orange napkins. Use a small, antique globe as your centerpiece to finish off the tablescape.