A Fabulous and Festive Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has a relatively cheesy aesthetic by nature. Turkeys, pilgrims, lots of orange and brown- not exactly things that conjure up thoughts of beauty and style. You can, however, decorate in a modern but festive way.  No need to be all seriously chic, but there is also no need to trace your hand and attempt to draw a turkey a la fourth grade and cover your home in crepe paper gobblers.

I love this image above of a modern thanksgiving day table from Martha Stewart.  You can find tall cylinder vases for cheap at places like Michael's and A.C. Moore or a floral supply store. Fill them all with the same fall themed items- berries (white or red are best), small gourds, branches with leaves, acorns...you name it. The resulting look will be minimalist but seasonally appropriate. Another centerpiece idea that is easy but lovely is to line up (long table) or bunch together (round table) wheat stalk bundles, like these from Pottery Barn (on sale-buy fast!).  Get some great hand dyed or stitched ribbon, these from MJ Trim, and tie around the centers.

For simple place cards, I love mini pumpkins. You can buy the white ones and leave as is and write everyone's name on them with a paint pen. Or, you can get a little more festive and spray paint them metallic gold or cover in warm, earth toned glitter after painting them with white glue (I like Martha Stewart's fine glitter in Smokey Quartz). Cut a slice into the stem or at the top of each mini pumpkin and slide in a handwritten place card. On the back of each place card you can write one thing you are thankful for about that person. A nice touch that will kick off dinner with a grateful and warm mood. HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

by Erin Gates of Elements of Style