A simply beautiful Thanksgiving table

We are hosting our first Thanksgiving ever this year! I am just so excited to spend this special holiday with some of my favorites. That has actually been at the forefront of my excitement and I have hardly given a thought as to how to decorate the table...until now.

Every memory I have of Thanksgiving day is of the people I spent it with. No where in my recollection do I have any idea what the table center pieces have ever looked like, what the turkey looked like or how big it was, how many desserts there were. Nope. None of these things have 'stuck'. What has stuck are my memories of shared conversation and laughter, bad jokes, good jokes, reminiscing about older days, sharing hopes and dreams of days to come, and the faces of those nearest and dearest to my heart. My hope for our Thanksgiving table is that these very things will be at the heart of our meal shared together. This means no over the top table decorating that requires ducking under or leaning around to see the person across from you!

~I think Norman Rockwell got it right.~

For some real life inspiration, I have found the following tables to be along the lines of what I would want our Thanksgiving table to look like:

~I love the soft beauty of this spread! Some cranberries sprinkled loose on the table and some large mason jars filled with berries and pine cones give this table just a hint of color~

Table by French Larkspur

 

~Simple place settings complete with a piece of fruit and just a couple candles at the center. Not over the top but definitely not dull~

Table by Spartan

 

~A colorful leaf at each place setting pumps up the festive mood of this table. Berry vine wrapped votives on either end add a touch of elegance~

Table by In My Own Style

 

~What a creative idea! This quilted table runner is a fun way of adding color without cluttering the center of the table~

Table by Inspiring Lovely

 

~This is such a breath of fresh air! This spread is sparse on color, (the only color is the beautiful pattern on the china), but full of elegance. The crystal glasses and silver candle stick holders add a bit of sparkle, setting this meal apart from any other~

Table by Jenny Steffens

 

~I was so drawn to the understated allover print of this table cloth and the blue iridescent goblets holding the nuts. Though the color tones are on the cooler side, this setting still feels cozy to me. Plus, once the food is served and the plates are full, I'm sure the coziness is just amplified.~

Table by Julie Blanner

 

~Now this is a kids table I would definitely feel honored to sit at! How adorable. My kids may be a bit too young to have their own table this year, but I will definitely tuck this idea away for the future! Fun, fun. Reminds me of Thanksgivings when I was young, sitting shoulder to shoulder with my cousins, eating, laughing and getting into mischief.~

Table by Cottage and Vine

 

Well, the wheels are spinning and I think I have some ideas for how to amp up our table for Thanksgiving. It could be bare for all I care, as long as I get to sit around it with some of our loved ones...but ya know, I gotta impress grandma. ;) Hi, Grandma Livi! xoxo

 

~Chelsea

 

P.S. Please don't forget about the House Beautiful year subscription giveaway! See the Gift Giveaway Kickoff post, here, for details. All you you need to do is become a member of my blog, (I would be honored if you would), and leave a comment under that post. On November 10 I will select a random winner from those who post a comment. The winner can choose the address they wish to have their House Beautiful issues mailed to, (it could be a fun gift, too!) Thanks everyone!