With Thanksgiving approaching, many people are beginning to prepare for the holiday. Recipes are pulled out, dishes are washed and food is bought. However, the Thanksgiving meal is not the only important element to organize.

Decorating the house and especially the table is an important part of the holiday. Pumpkins, candles and fancy silverware are often arranged with care. This might be the only time of the year that the antique platter from great grandma comes out of the cupboard.

Yet, some want their tables to look more than just festive; they long for a beautiful setting. Finding the right tablescape for the Thanksgiving meal is important. According to Your Dictionary, a tablescape is defined as “an artistic arrangement of articles on a table.” This can look unique for each person while maintaining a sense of beauty.

Here are some creative ways to arrange a tablescape for the approaching holiday. Ever item is DIY (Do It Yourself) which means the ideas range from very easy to a bit difficult to duplicate. The creative projects may take more time but save money. Homesessive even argues that there are health benefits to DIY projects such as better sleep and psychological health. All of these tablescapes vary in style but have a common theme of Thanksgiving and the beauty of nature.

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10. Moss Runner with Pumpkins, Gourds and Brass Candlesticks from Camille Styles

Looking for a woodsy look? This tablescape can be put together very quickly. Only a few supplies are needed such as brass candlesticks, small gourds, pumpkins and moss for the runner. This will bring a earthy and natural look to the room.


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9. Pumpkin Place Card Holders from Rain on a Tin Roof

For 1 dollar, these place card holders can be made. Pumpkins (from the dollar store or a craft store) are painted whatever color one wishes. Then, then the stem is cleaned up and coated with glitter. Finally, a nametag and feather are attached to the top. These are simple to make and easy to adapt to any dish set.


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8. Printable Thanksgiving Word Search from Coordinately Yours

For those bored with the typical name cards, this word search is a great idea. Simply print off the game and place one on each plate. This fun activity can keep family members busy, whether they work in pairs or alone. Also, the searches will add some variety plain tablescape.


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7. Rustic Candle Holders and Leaf Table at City Farmhouse

For those who enjoy making crafts, these candle holders might be an enjoyable project. The finished project is a beautiful lantern-like holder. With leaves around the candle and on the plates, the whole effect brings a sense of autumn in the country.


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6. Tissue Paper Pumpkins Place Card from Design, Dining and Diapers

Another place card idea, this one continues the pumpkin theme. All the supplies needed are a Styrofoam ball, tissue paper, wire thread, a pencil, glue, a twig and a dried leaf. With names written on the leafs, these pumpkins can be cute ways for people to find their seats.


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5. Bow Napkins and Flowers from House by Hoff

Want to add some harvest colors to the Thanksgiving meal? This tablescape features mostly yellow, orange and red. Napkins are tied in the center with twine to look like bows. Then fall flowers and pumpkins line the table. A striped runner sets off the rest of the decorations.


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4. Copper-Striped Candles and Pumpkins from Homey Oh My!

Sometimes just a splash of color can make the most beautiful effect. Here, only the flowers bring in vibrant colors. Otherwise, the candles and pumpkins are either plain white or white with strips of copper. Simple black nametags make the white plates and tablecloth a bit more exciting.


[ new page = 3. Amber Glass Leafs and Pumpkins ]
3. Mocha Crunch Oatmeal from Anderson + Grant

Some of these tablescapes are very simple to put together. This one is a bit more complicated but so beautiful that it is worth mimicking. Amber, gold, yellow and brown are the main colors featured in all of the décor and dishes. Pumpkins surrounding by leaves and cream taper candles are arranged along the table with burlap ribbon weaving between them. The final product is tempered but majestic.


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2. Costal Thanksgiving from Sand and Sisal

Live in a place without snow or wish that the cold winter would go away? This tropical table will brighten the room. A unique blend of pumpkins, starfish, hydrangeas, acorns and seashells decorate this table. Blue and white dishes remind one of the ocean and sand while the little pumpkins connect to the Thanksgiving holiday.


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1. Tweed, Wheat and Lacey Jelly Jar Candles Holders from Finding Home

This final tablescape incorporates the harvest with an elegant streak. Tweed fabric and lace lie underneath centerpiece arrangements such as wheat, pumpkins, pears, pine cones and candles placed in jelly jars wound with lace. Each setting has a maple leaf on the napkin as well as a Thanksgiving prayer. The finished product looks like the traditional fall table.