61 Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas to Impress Your Guests in 2024

While some dread the holidays, others revel in the chance to outdo themselves from the year before, whether with their Thanksgiving table decor or the food. There are so many festive ways to set the mood with your holiday tablescape. From making use of your Thanksgiving crafts to adding pops of seasonal blooms or greenery,  if you really want to wow your guests, you can’t leave the table as an afterthought.

Queen of the kitchen Martha Stewart details the easiest ways to elevate any table décor and spoiler: you don’t have to overdo it with matching flowers, napkins, placemats and more. Sometimes well-executed simplicity or a touch of chaos can yield the best results. 

If you have no idea where to get started, check out pictures of Thanksgiving table settings online. There’s nothing wrong with emulating or down-right recreating someone else’s beautiful tablescape. It could be a better choice than giving up and going to one of the restaurants open on Thanksgiving. 

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• Traditional Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas
• Elegant Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas
• Modern Thanksgiving Table Decor
• DIY Thanksgiving Table Decor

Traditional Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas

1. Classic Cornucopia

You can put whatever you want on your Thanksgiving table, but have you ever wondered “What is the traditional decoration for Thanksgiving?” or “What is a Thanksgiving centerpiece called?” A cornucopia would be your answer, also known as the Horn of Plenty. 

You probably recognize the classic wicker basket, shaped like a horn, overflowing with seasonal goodies like harvest fruits and veggies. Get yourself one of these baskets and fill it with whatever you like for the most traditional Thanksgiving table decor.  

2. Citrus Pomander Dishes

If done right, homemade citrus pomander balls can last for weeks. A colorful and fragrant Thanksgiving table decor addition, you can use the same idea at Christmas time.

Find a few large, flat dishes or very shallow bowls and fill them with oranges, studded with whole cloves. You might need several dishes depending on the length of your table.  

3. Fabric Pumpkins

Chances are you’ve seen those adorably festive fabric pumpkins around town and they make really elegant Thanksgiving table decor pieces, too. Place a tiny one at each person’s seat or scatter them around the tabletop and your buffet for a colorful hint of fall.  

4. Use Little Clay Pots

Miniature terracotta pots are just the right color to be featured with your Thanksgiving table decor. Add a few stems to each one and scatter them up and down the table. Or, use a chalk marker to write each person’s name on a tiny pot and make them work overtime as place cards.  

5. Forager’s Delight

Break up big blobs of white on your tabletop with a simple stick of foraged red berries. This simple but classic Thanksgiving table decor idea is cheap or free if you have these tiny red berries growing in your backyard. And they color will go great with your cherry red Thanksgiving nails. 

6. Chocolate Symbols of Fall

There’s no better feeling than walking up to your seat at the table and realizing there’s a little treat waiting for you. A chocolate pumpkin or little chocolate turkey on each plate is the perfect Thanksgiving table decor touch that’s affordable and well-loved. 

7. Get Rustic and Cozy

Re-purpose your favorite plaid blankets or scarves as the coziest Thanksgiving table decor runner. It’s the perfect seasonal backdrop for any other elements you want to include like tea candles, flowers or mini pumpkins.  

8. Photo Place Cards

Snap a quick Polaroid picture of your guests as they arrive and before it’s time to sit down, prop their photo up at their seat for a unique Thanksgiving table decor and place card idea. You can use little clips that you might already have or lay it right atop their plate.  

9. Apple Garland

Apples are always plentiful this time of year and a bushel or two double as beautiful Thanksgiving table decor just as well as they bake up into a tasty pie. From your favorite flower shop, pick out some big leaves in brown or dark green and lay them flat on your table. Carefully place apples of all colors all over the leaves for an organic and simple centerpiece.  

10. Miniature Gold Pumpkins

Add a touch of metallic, the perfect accent to shades of red and orange, with hand-painted gold miniature pumpkins. This simple and classic Thanksgiving table decor can go on each plate or up the middle of your table.  

11. Make a Lovely Arrangement

Beautiful flowers are an essential part of any type of Thanksgiving table decor. Make a stunning arrangement that is varied in both color and texture with spider mums, yellow beech leaves and a variety of colorful dahlias.  

12. Chair Blankets

If you’re able to enjoy al fresco dining this holiday season, you can add festive blankets to boost your Thanksgiving table decor. A plush and colorful blanket at each seat completes the table setting and makes it look like you’ve thought of every little detail – probably because you have! 

13. Colorful Leaf Place Cards

Collect a handful of the brightest fallen leaves you can find for this traditional and homemade Thanksgiving table decor. Using a paint marker, scroll out a name on every leaf. Lay it atop their plate or napkin for a cheap and festive place card. You can place the guests strategically if you're planning fun party games for Thanksgiving like a murder mystery. 

14. Go Gilded

Instead of a hint of metallic, make everything shine for your traditional Thanksgiving table decor. Shades of gold, silver and bronze are warm and inviting on everything from a hand-painted pumpkin to a beautiful silver bowl full of blooms.  

15. Rosemary Table Setting

The herbs that you use to season your turkey make for a beautiful accent to your Thanksgiving table decor. A sprig of rosemary on top of each napkin looks neat and polished, while still keeping with a traditional theme. Plus, you probably already have some on hand in your kitchen so it’s low-cost.  

16. Wheat Grass

A traditional ingredient and old-school Thanksgiving table decor item, bushy sticks of wheatgrass add a fun element to your tabletop. The soft color goes with any color scheme you pick, while the bushy texture is pleasing to the eye. 

Elegant Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas

17. Pumpkin Vases

The time is limited to use those adorable pumpkin vases you have, so you better make the best of it! Whether cheap or expensive, you can find pumpkin vases all over the stores and just a couple of them work nicely for Thanksgiving table decor. It’s up to you whether or not you add florals, the vases are darling just on their own.  

18. Fruit and Candles

Even as temperatures drop, there are plenty of seasonal items to use with this elegant Thanksgiving table decor. Bright red pomegranates next to soft green or golden pears make a tasteful and colorful display. Scatter them artistically amongst candles and call it a day.  

19. Chinoiserie

Few things are more classic or elegant than chinoiserie, whether on your china or decorative napkins. Even on its own, it makes for elegant Thanksgiving table decor, but you can take it a step further by adding in some glass or polished birds, tortoise flatware and simple white blooms.  

20. All Neutrals

You can never go wrong with sticking to neutrals, even for your Thanksgiving table decor. Soft, muted shades of brown and tan work seamlessly together. Add in a few white miniature pumpkins to keep it seasonal and stick to white flowers for your arrangements.  

21. Eucalyptus Runner

While most everyone runs to shades of red orange and yellow, cooling greenish-grey leaves will adorn your Thanksgiving table decor thanks to sprigs of fresh eucalyptus. These slightly shiny leaves not only look beautiful next to almost every color, but they add a wonderful soothing aroma to your table as well.  

22. Beautiful Botanicals

Make a trip to your local greenhouse for this chic and special Thanksgiving table decor idea. Purchase a mixture of dark purple and green plants that are low in height to arrange up and down your table. These moody tones are a nice pop for white plates. If you have floral dishware, that’s even better.  

23. Shades of Green

Utilizing pleasing shades of green is a creative and unexpected twist for your Thanksgiving table decor. Arrange a centerpiece out of blue Hubbard, Jarrahdale and La Estrella pumpkins and gourds, with a few fern fronds poking out.  

24. Thriving Veggies in Elegant Vases

Get a little creative with your Thanksgiving table decor by showcasing colorful vegetables in tall glass vases. You’ll need several clear glass containers, filled with water, to set in the center of your table. You can use different heights and shapes for more variation.

Fill each vase with a handful of garden-fresh veggies, ideally with the tops still on. Long, skinny orange carrots in a tall vase placed next to a short and stout vase showcasing red radishes with bushy green tops are playful and elegant all at once.  

25. Formal China

It’s time to pull out that classic blue and white china for your Thanksgiving table decor. While each plate and glass is a work of art, the shades of blue and white are a perfect complement to a few well-placed orange gourds or pumpkins.  

26. Go Mint

Soft, pastel hues are automatically elegant and the applies your Thanksgiving table decor. Lean into shades of white, tan and soft mint green for your napkins, plates or even little ceramic pumpkins. This will make your whole table appear more calming and beautiful, rather than bold and chaotic.  

27. Bright Blue

Blue likely isn’t the first color you think of when you’re planning your Thanksgiving table decor, but it should definitely be on your list. Navy or even royal blue and white are timeless and elegant for everything from your tablecloth to napkins and centerpieces. Have fun with blue-painted pumpkins to keep with the monochromatic theme.  

28. Personal Arrangement

Make your place cards work as Thanksgiving table decor too by making them out of tiny floral arrangements. Miniature pumpkin vases would take a little more time but really wow your guests. Even a singular tiny pot on each plate with just a few blooms is a nice touch. Use a paint marker to scroll their name across the front. If you have this many blooms on the table, consider strictly greenery or something else in the center so you don’t overdo it.  

29. Embroidered Napkins

If you really want to look like the host or hostess with the most(ess), embroidered napkins are the Thanksgiving table decor that you need. A giant scrolling initial announces “Welcome to my castle” in an understated way. 

30.  Pumpkin Cloches

Like the rose in Beauty and the Beast, present your prettiest fall pumpkins in elegant cloches on your table. Create these eye-catching Thanksgiving table decor stands with some extra greenery and a few small blooms to fill the empty space.  

31. Simple Elegance

Sometimes the less you do, the better when it comes to Thanksgiving table decor. Skip the pumpkins and big floral arrangements and instead, lay down a few sprigs of greenery and a few tea candles. Colored glass around your tea candles casts a warm, pleasing light.  

32. Twinkling Lights

Whatever you choose to adorn your tabletop with, work in a few strands of delicate tea or fairy lights. The soft twinkling lights make elegant Thanksgiving table decor alongside flowers, candles and little pumpkins.  

33. Pear-fect Pairings

Pears are one of the most beautiful and elegant fruits in the store and adding them to your Thanksgiving table decor is a no-brainer. Rather than mixing them with other fruits, stick to just pears (real or gold), sat upright along a trail of greenery. A few well-placed tea candles complete the tablescape.  

Modern Thanksgiving Table Decor

34. Balloon Arrangement

Blow up a colorful array of balloons for your Thanksgiving table decor for a cheap and eye-catching centerpiece. Pick three or four colors and after blowing the balloons up just enough, tape them together and lay them flat on your table. You can leave holes for elevated candle stands, too.  

35. Fall Leaves

Put a modern twist on your Thanksgiving table decor with an eco-friendly, affordable arrangement of sorts. If you live someplace where the leaves are eye-catching shades of red, orange and yellow, trim a branch or two that’s still full of leaves to showcase on your table.

A small, simple vase or two with a singular colorful branch looks lovely and festive.  

36. Keep it Minimalist

Sometimes the less you add to your Thanksgiving table decor, the better it looks. Keep it really simple with plates, placemats and napkins and for the centerpiece, use teeny tiny clear glass vases to hold single blooms or a few dried flowers.  

37. Colorful Harvest Display

Sometimes Mother Nature does the work for you, like this creative Thanksgiving table decor that features colorful vegetables. Neatly arrange baskets of carrots with stems, heads of purple cabbage and lush leafy greens for a totally organic display that you can still use to cook with the next day. The more text and color you can add, the better. Don’t forget about a few whole artichokes or a juicy, deep purple eggplant to offset red and orange tones.  

38. Color Gradient

If your number of guests is pretty manageable, you can add a fun and colorful twist to your Thanksgiving table decor by setting up each person's seat with their own color, part of a color gradient or rainbow. You can repeat colors, but each place setting should have its own colored Thanksgiving salad plate, napkin and glass. Keep the centerpiece neutral with this one to let the unique place settings shine. 

39. High Contrast

Make everything pop with high-contrast table settings. If you have a white dining table, opt for black plates and glasses or the brightest shade of red, purple or blue. A black tabletop is super chic with all-white plates, glasses and placemats where the color contrast takes care of all your Thanksgiving table decor needs.  

40. Pumpkins + Succulents

Hollow out a few real pumpkins for your Thanksgiving table decor and fill them with spiky green and purple succulents. This juxtaposition is very pleasing and adds a nice pop of color and texture to your tabletop.  

41. Tropical Fruits

If you’re celebrating Turkey Day someplace tropical, your Thanksgiving food ideas might be a little different than the average American. Lean into that with this bold Thanksgiving table decor: a colorful display of tropical fruits.

Bright orange papayas sliced open next to whole pineapples and ruby red grapefruits cut in half are a fun way to display classic colors with a local twist.  

42. Ombré Pumpkin Runner

Combine seasonal Thanksgiving table decor in a modern way with an ombré pumpkin table runner. With a little prep time, you’ll be pleased with how effortless and adorable this turns out.

Purchase a bunch of miniature white pumpkins and pick a color, like pink or orange. Select a few shades of your chosen color and paint a few pumpkins in each color so they can be arranged from white to light pink, medium down to a few dark pink pumpkins.  

43. Change up the Color Scheme

Stay away from the typical reds, yellows and oranges while still remaining seasonal thanks to mustard, teal and blush pink. Incorporate these shades into your Thanksgiving table decor via drinking glasses, napkins or floral arrangements.  

44. Make it Moody

Feature darker hues for your Thanksgiving table decor to set the mood. Shades of purple, dark green and even tasteful grey look lovely together, along with a soft-hued floral arrangement. Make homemade place cards using geode coasters and a paint marker to keep with the theme.  

45. Picture the Coast

Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean you can’t bring the beachy vibes, especially if you live someplace mild. Soft-colored driftwood and white shells go beautifully with muted tones of blue or orange for your Thanksgiving table decor. A few well-placed white mini pumpkins bring it full circle. 

46. Outdoor Picnic

If the weather allows, switch things up and dine outside, with a classic picnic theme for your Thanksgiving table decor. A true picnic table, straw bales and a gingham tablecloth will set the tone. Mums and a few cozy blankets bring the whole thing together.  

47. Wood Rounds

Storebought or homemade wood rounds are beautiful and natural as part of your Thanksgiving table decor. Large cross sections showcasing beautiful graining and thick bark, painted with lacquer, are unique serving platters, while miniature ones can function as coasters or candle stands.  

48. Cake Stand Centerpiece 

Use what you have on hand to make a multi-leveled Thanksgiving table decor centerpiece. Arrange pumpkins, fruit and greenery on cake stands down the center of your table to leave room for condiments and dishes of food to sit below.  

49. High Ends of Your Table

Instead of filling the center with Thanksgiving table decor that’s tough to see over and crowds the tabletop, place two high vases on either end of the table, stuffed with big blooms like hydrangeas. This makes it easier to see and reach for whatever is in front of you, not to mention you don’t have to move your centerpiece to set down trays of food.  

DIY Thanksgiving Table Decor 

50. Use Food

You can spend minimal time and effort worrying about florals or candles if you just include a variety of snacks down the center of your table. This useful Thanksgiving table decor is best done with a variety of dishware, baskets and stands to make it interesting.

Think along the lines of little cups filled with spiced nuts or marinated olives. Even chocolate-covered almonds in decorative dishes, all up and down the center, make the table look bountiful. You’re essentially turning your Thanksgiving appetizers into decoration and that’s called efficiency.  

51. Gold Leaf Runner

This simple DIY Thanksgiving table decor is fashionable and makes cleanup even easier. Get a long roll of white paper (or any other color) from your local craft store. After cutting it to just the right length, head outside and pick out a few picture-perfect leaves that have the shapes you’re looking for. With a dish or shiny gold paint, use the leaves as a stamp all over the paper roll. Let it dry before adding any flowers or candles on top.  

52. Elongated Charcuterie

If you want everyone to stay out of the kitchen while you work on the main course, create an elongated charcuterie board up the center of your table for functional Thanksgiving table decor.

Lay down butcher paper and accent with some washed greenery, lying flat, before carefully arranging meats, cheeses, fruits and crackers up and down your table.  

53. Get the Kids Involved

If your family or friends have lots of little kids running around, ask them to make a few extra crafts before the big day. Scatter hand turkeys on the tabletop or use them as adorable place cards for some sweet, homemade Thanksgiving table decor.  

54. Golden Fruits and Veggies

Keep things understated with this organic Thanksgiving table decor idea featuring golden shades of real fruits and veggies. Whole cantaloupes, yellow squash and even sweet onions appear nicely together for a muted but interesting centerpiece that’s very unexpected.  

55. Pencil and Paper 

You don’t need to spend a ton of money on flowers, chargers, place cards and tablecloths to come up with beautiful, memorable Thanksgiving table decor.

Cover your tabletop with brown paper and grab a chunky black marker. You or someone you know who has calligraphy skills, can create each table setting by drawing a circle where the plate goes, with each guest’s name artfully scrolled inside.

Draw on forks and spoons so people have a rough estimate of where to place their utensils and maybe add some simple greenery or candles up the middle to make it pop. This makes cleanup easier than ever.  

56. Yarn-Wrapped Branches

Pick up a few spindly branches from your yard and turn them into a beautiful Thanksgiving table decor item with colorful string. Tightly wind the string all around the branch from top to bottom. Ideally, use several branches, each wrapped tightly in a different shade of red, orange or yellow.

Make this a fun Thanksgiving activity for kids when they arrive with energy to burn. Then, arrange them in vases or on your tabletop.  

57. Glittered Corn

While corn isn’t necessarily part of your typical Thanksgiving food ideas, it is usually pictured in a cornucopia for some reason. Add some glitz and glam to this harvest veggie by spray painting it with glitter paint.

You can usually find dried corn that’s specifically for Thanksgiving table decor and painting or spraying on shiny silver or gold coating doesn’t take long.  

58. Gratitude Place Settings

With all the talk about the best Thanksgiving sides or how to impress your guests with a flawless tablescape, it’s important to remember that the day is supposed to be about gratitude. Put a homemade touch on your tabletop with a small, handwritten note about why you’re thankful for each person.  

59. Make Pinecone Name Plates

Walk around your yard and collect as many pinecones as you need to for this fun craft. With little bowls of acrylic paint in whatever colors you like, dip the spiky ends of the pinecone into the paint and let them dry. You can then slice off the top so it’s easier to slide a little piece of paper with names on it into your homemade Thanksgiving table decor. Extra pinecones can be scattered across the tabletop.  

60. Colorful Candlesticks

On a neutral tablescape, colorful and tall candles make a statement as Thanksgiving table decor. Make your own by selecting a base candle and purchasing wax melts from the craft store. Dunk, roll and splatter new colors on your candlesticks and let them dry before showcasing them in the center of your table.  

61. Homemade Votives

Get crafty with your Thanksgiving table decor by making votives that spell out a word (like Thanks). You can use craft paper and fake candles to poke tiny holes spelling out a word, with one letter per votive or the outline of a pumpkin. Arrange them thoughtfully to cast a nice lighting. 

Hosting is a lot of work, but it can also be a lot of fun. If you’ve ever wondered how to decorate a table for Thanksgiving, start with a few small things to simply fill the empty space. Pick a color scheme then get to mixing and matching colors and patterns with your placemats and napkins.

Think of creating your Thanksgiving table decor as a creative expression. There are so many directions to take it, so each year can be something fun and new. From maximalist to minimalist, it’s nice to make use of the beauty of nature around you whether with greenery from your yard or artfully repurposed sticks.

For even more fun Thanksgiving ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!