Set a Thanksgiving table with fall- and holiday-inspired decor

BY BRAVETTA HASSELL World Scene Writer
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
11/06/12 at 5:30 AM

It is the loved ones and friends who come to eat and celebrate, laugh and reflect, and discuss those things for which they are thankful that make Thanksgiving so memorable.

But the highly anticipated holiday can also be stressful. Part of what makes the memories of Thanksgiving so persistent are the same things that make the holiday distinctive.

Food - its taste and color - is at the forefront. But close behind it are all of those trappings that help paint the pictures we'll recall once the holiday has passed.

A beautiful and richly colored centerpiece. Fall-inspired napkin rings. Seasonal table decor items. The scents of fall favorites such as cinnamon and pumpkin, sugar cookies, cloves and nutmeg. The flatware, stemware and dinnerware that don't come out for meatloaf Tuesdays.

Tupperware and pots are swapped for serving dishes. A wreath is hung on the front door. The TV is turned off - for dinner, at least. Candles are sometimes lit, and we even dress up.

As you prepare for this Thanksgiving, remember that though decorating your table with food is the primary task at hand, accessorizing your entertaining space and the dining area with fall- and holiday-inspired decor can bring in holiday spirit.

Kohl's department store offers tips on dressing up the table this Thanksgiving:

Use a tablecloth in a solid color. This will be the base for the rest of the table décor. It shouldn't compete but should complement everything else. Seasonal colors such as burnt orange, gold, chocolate brown or dark red add depth.
Forget the dated wedding china. Instead, create modern place settings with mixed and matched dinnerware in unique shapes and patterns.
Incorporate seasonal nature-inspired elements (real or fake), such as cranberries, leaves, gourds and pinecones, into centerpieces to bring distinct autumn touches to the table.
Don't forget about the serving ware. The meal is the real centerpiece on Thanksgiving, so give it the credit it deserves. Take food out of pots and pans, and put it into elegant bowls or onto plates that will make guests even more excited to take their first bites.

Go natural, go different

Home furnishings retailer Wayfair says fall is the perfect time to "bring the outdoors in." Let the colors of the changing leaves inspire your tablescape. Decorate with wheat bundles, gourds, pumpkins and apples, whether they're real or fake. A table with a variety of colors from gold to deep reds and purples is a great idea. This way, you don't have to worry about each piece matching perfectly.

Make ornate what you already have

You don't have to be crafty to customize your Thanksgiving centerpiece, Wayfair says. Collect acorns, dried corn, fresh-picked (or fake) apples, seasonal candles, or anything else that reminds you of fall to be the star of your centerpiece. Plus, multipurpose pieces such as hurricane vases can stay put all year long, so there's no need to put it in storage once the holidays are over.

Serve in style

Make serving large groups easier and attractive by using decorative trays and platters. Trays are your best bet for setting a decorative buffet-style dinner or for passing out napkins and silverware, Wayfair says. Plus find ways to use your trays all year long and not just in the kitchen.

Original Print Headline: A table worthy of Thanksgiving

Bravetta Hassell 918-581-8316
bravetta.hassell@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Sonoma life style Pinecone Pillar Candleholder ($29.99, Kohl's) Courtesy photo

Natural Maize Woven Pumpkins (small, $17.95, large, $24.95, Pier 1 Imports) Courtesy photo

Ember candles ($1-$17, Pier 1 Imports) Courtesy photo

Marquis by Waterford Vintage Full Body Red Wine Goblets (set of 4, $43.99, Wayfair.com) Courtesy photo

TAG Harvest Market Wheat Bundle ($43, Wayfair.com) Courtesy photo

Metal Scroll and Glass Hurricane 22" ($68, Pier 1 Imports) Courtesy photo

Bobby Flay Sangria Rim Dinnerware Collection ($6.99-$8.99, Kohl's) Courtesy