Featured image via Rooms for Rent. It’s Thanksgiving week! For my American readers, this means a week of cooking, of celebration, of family and friends and — for many — time away from work. Sadly, for us expats, this means ‘business as usual’ and a perpetual state of homesickness and misery for 7 days. While working. Ugh.
However, refusing to give in to misery clouds and working days, I’ve hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for some friends every year since I moved to the UK (a.k.a, 7 years!). As we don’t get the Thursday off in the UK, I hold it the Saturday following — because trying to imagine cooking an entire Thanksgiving dinner by myself AFTER WORK ON A THURSDAY (and with work the next day, too) makes my head hurt.
What began as some chickens and a couple of veg sides in my early 20’s has blossomed to become a full-fledged, candles-and-table-runners ‘Friendsgiving.’ I couldn’t believe myself when I bought a table runner, quite possibly the most extravagant and ‘adult’ purchase I’ve ever made: it serves no purpose except to make my table feel fancy. And cloth napkins. I mean seriously, napkins that you have to wash? Who am I, Ina Garten?
And yet, I still secretly dream of having one of those House & Garden -esque tables laid out, like you’re expecting The Queen for dinner. The type that take 5 hours to set up and you ruin it with actual use in about 3 minutes. That type.
Pinterest yet again becomes my incredibly handy Weapon of Choice to find the best laid out tables. I’m determined to make my table the best it’s been (considering this Thanksgiving could be our last as expats… more on that news soon!), and I’m hoping these 15 pictures below give me the inspiration that I need to make that happen. That, or the envy. Either or.
15 Beautiful Thanksgiving Tables to Inspire (or to Ignite Envy)
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Try using a plaid scarf as an Autumnal-inspired table runner || via Homesense
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Leaves (eucalyptus & rosemary) are a budget-friendly yet striking way to add style to any table setting. Also loving the black plates. || via Sarah Sherman Samuel
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Citrus adds a beautiful pop of colour || via Annabode + Co
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Navy is a fresh and elegant way to decorate a Thanksgiving table || via Giggles Galore
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Black & white stripes make the traditional more contemporary || via Giggles Galore
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Absolutely love this organic yet modern table setting. The gold apple placeholders are a nice touch! || via HGTV
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Bright blue is toned down with slate grey and orange. A simple yet striking table. || via Casa de Perrin
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Normally I hate purple, but this works so well with the orange, green and rustic wood || via Apartment 34
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Elements of brass and green work so well against the black. I love this setting! || via Sarah Sherman Samuel
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These DIY copper candles blend so well against the stripe table runner || via Design Improvised
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For those of us with limited kitchen space (me), family style works well and makes the meal the star of the show || via Design Sponge
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What is actually a simple layout is made opulent by gold, wood and peach tones || via Casa de Perrin
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If you can’t have Thanksgiving in the forest, bring the forest to you. This would be my dream table setting if I could have it. || via Camille Styles
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A black tablecloth creates a mood to this table layout, balanced with white and green foliage ||
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This last one is so good I needed two pictures! The copper looks fantastic against the green and white, creating a fresh yet muted palette that I just LOVE. But more importantly, look how beautiful those thankful cards are for guests to fill out. A great alternative to the usual place card || via Blesser House
Want more decor? I am a pin machine! Follow Wolf & Stag on Pinterest for all things inspiring.