Thanksgiving Decor

Since I had guests coming over for Thanksgiving, I wanted to be sure that my house felt like Thanksgiving.  To me, that means warmth, tradition, bringing in the colors of the season, simplicity and of course a bit of glamour.  I saw something online that inspired me to get some Mason jars.  I love that Mason jars are reminiscent of earlier, simpler times.  I tied twine around them (also feels old) and then added some fall colored berries.  I added some sand, rocks, and candles to the inside and used them on the mantle and around the house.  I used the sand and rocks because larger candles would not fit in the bigger jars because of the diameter, but I didn't want the candles to be so far down in the jar.  It turned out that using something in the bottom was the best thing because the candles made quite a mess as they melted.  The wax did not mix with the sand, so it was easy to get the wax out.  However, for the little jars where I just used a candle, I had to throw them away because I couldn't get the candle out.  Not a huge loss since the Mason jars are very budget friendly at $1.00 to $3.00.  I paired the Mason Jars with Mercury Glass candlesticks which were in keeping with the vintage and traditional theme, but added a little glamour to the mantle.  I also added a few small orange pumpkins to bring in some color.  I would have liked some fall colored garland, but I didn't have any on hand.

Mantle

Close Up of the Mason Jar

Added another jar to an end table with a wooden Happy Harvest sign

Coffee Table decor- I used more Mason jars and pumpkins (gotta love the husbands and their remotes)

I ran out of jars and needed something for the breakfast table, so I used a flower vase.

Decorating for My First Thanksgiving- Table Design

This was the first year that (a) I've not been at home in Sheridan for Thanksgiving, (b) that I've cooked a Thanksgiving dish, and (c) that I've hosted Thanksgiving at my house!  While I missed the traditional Thanksgiving at home with my parents, I thoroughly enjoyed hosting my own Thanksgiving dinner.  You know me, always up for party!  I spent countless hours cleaning, finishing up some painting projects, and decorating the house with festive items.  My husband, as usual, felt I was going overboard, but that didn't stop me!  Here's a look at my Thanksgiving table.

I used orange and purple on the table.  I procrastinated in deciding how I wanted to decorate.  Due to my indecisiveness, there was almost nothing fall related left in the stores.  Christmas has officially usurped Thanksgiving.  Anyway, I was able to find these lovely dried orange florals.  I paired them with brown sticks and used large glass hurricanes filled with a pumpkin vase filler.  I like the dramatic and symmetrical effect they brought to the table.   I used crystal candle holders and ceramic pumpkins to complete the table decor.

Of course I had to use my Waterford wedding china and my Lennox crystal and flatware.  There is nothing better to set the mood of a dinner like china, crystal, and candles! 

I brought in the color purple with the napkins.  Since this is a formal living/dining room, I wanted to tie the living side, which has purple pillows, in with the dining room.  I decided to go with a simple rolled napkin held by a silver napkin ring  along with a textured taupe placement for a tailored, modern look that wouldn't compete with my table decor.  I would have loved two table runners in orange or purple, but that had to wait for next year.

Overall, despite the difficulty I faced in finding the decor, I achieved the look I was hoping for.  As soon as my guests walked through the door, they were greeted with a festive, but formal dining table that exudes what Thanksgiving means to me!  I will share some more of my decor tomorrow!