How to Create a Stunning Thanksgiving Centerpiece

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s time to start planning your Thanksgiving table. If you are hosting Thanksgiving this year, setting a beautiful Thanksgiving table for your guests begins with inspiration and planning. Every table has a centerpiece at its focal point. Here is how to create a stunning Thanksgiving centerpiece.

There are several weeks before we gather around the table to celebrate our blessings. Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner involves preparing and organizing the year’s biggest meal.

I don’t know about you, but the last thing that I want to worry about in the days leading up to Thanksgiving is my centerpiece and tablescape. I want that important element of Thanksgiving festivities to be well in place days before guests ring the doorbell.

Let’s take a look at a simple Thanksgiving centerpiece I designed for my “practice” Thanksgiving tablescape. You can use a few tips for your own turkey-day centerpiece and table decor.

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This month’s Pinterest Challenge prompts this early Thanksgiving centerpiece and table setting. It couldn’t be better timing, as Thanksgiving decor is everywhere.

Our hostess, Cindy of County Road 407, has chosen a collection of Tablescape Centerpieces from Deborah of Hip and Humble Style. Cindy also chose one centerpiece image as our inspiration.

If you are coming from my friend Barb of French Ethereal, then welcome. Enjoy the Thanksgiving centerpiece process.

This post contains affiliate links to products used to create this project. If you should order any item from this site, I may receive compensation, but you do not pay a penny more. Your purchase is greatly appreciated as it helps support the continued publication of this site.

Tablescaping 101: The Elements Every Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Needs

Regardless of the event, season, or holiday, all tablescapes share common elements. Professional event planners always include these five layers in a tablescape.

• The Centerpiece: Height, scale, and conversation flow rules.
• The Foundation: Tablecloth, runner, or bare table?
• Tableware: Plates, glasses, utensils, mixing patterns and textures
• The Lighting: Candles, string lights, natural light
• Personal Touches: Place cards, favors, menu cards

I tried to include all of these elements in my Thanksgiving table.

Elements of our Thanksgiving Centerpiece and Tablescape

The style of centerpiece I chose to design is simple and rustic. I focused on texture, natural materials, and elements I already have on hand. I also decided to use a turkey as the central motif instead of a pumpkin.

I kept the color scheme soft and natural with just a touch of muted gold and oranges.

There are two parts to this inspiration photo: the centerpiece and the place setting. Let’s take them individually.

Centerpiece Elements:

• a plaid table runner
• a thick wood slice
• stems with mini-pine cones
• large pumpkin
• two wood tall candlesticks with candles and glass covers

Place Settings Elements:

• burlap place mat
• black plate
• plaid napkin
• twig pumpkin

My Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Remember, the image in the Pinterest Challenge is meant to inspire our creativity. I had several elements that Deborah used. However, I decided to shift more to a clear Thanksgiving setting. Here are the elements I had and would use.

Centerpiece Elements:

• Buffalo check throw used as a table runner

• thick wood slice

• berry stems

• woven trivet – for the turkey to stand on

• rustic turkey – Instead of a pumpkin, I used one of a pair of turkeys made with different natural materials. I wanted a more Thanksgiving-centric centerpiece. Here is a great turkey option.

• faux fall leaves – surround the turkey like a nest

Place Setting Elements:

• square burlap placemats – a DIY project from several years ago

• round woven chargers

• leaf-design chargers – I made these decoupage chargers several weeks ago

• plaid napkins

• silverware

• wine glasses with leaf-design tissue napkins tied with jute twine

• fall-design bread and butter plates – bought at the Mast General Store in Boone, NC.

Table Extras:

• wood candlesticks topped with twig pumpkins

• DIY acorns as a bit of embellishment

• DIY turkey placecards that I made a few years ago

More Looks at My Thanksgiving Tablescape

After I placed the turkey on the berry stems and florals, I added some faux leaves to fill in to make a “next” for the turkey.

I don’t know if I will use this Thanksgiving tablescape for our Thanksgiving celebration. I’m so happy to have a seasonal tablescape that will grace our table for the next four weeks. We may use it for a small dinner party with friends before the holiday.

I hope you will share this stunning Thanksgiving centerpiece as an easy inspiration for your own Thanksgiving table. Please PIN it to your favorite Pinterest Boards. I invite you to visit these Boards: Thanksgiving Tablescapes, Thanksgiving Decor Ideas, or Fall Tablescapes.

Below is a list of my fellow Thanksgiving centerpiece creators. Start with Amber of Yellow Brick Home.