November's Decorating Newsletter

How to Decorate a Thanksgiving Wreath

Create a warm and thankful holiday mood by decorating your doorstep with nature's bountiful harvest.

1. Buy a plain wooden wreath and decorate it with artificial autumn leaves, nuts, pinecones and berries. Add a fall-colored velvet bow. Hang the wreath on the door.
2. Create garlands of autumn leaves and orange and gold Christmas lights and wrap them together around any poles or columns.
3. Place pumpkins, stalks of Indian corn and gourds along the edges of walkways and steps. If there is room, set them up on a hay bale.
4. Buy a cornucopia (horn of plenty) basket and arrange pumpkins, corn, gourds, apples and nuts inside so that some of them are spilling out onto the walkway.
5. Twine orange and gold lights in any trees or plants near the doorway.

If some of your trees are bare from cold weather, wrap garlands of artificial autumn leaves in the branches along with colored lights.

If you want your outdoor arrangement to last longer (or you live in an area with wild animals) use fake vegetables and gourds instead of real ones.

How to Decorate a Thanksgiving Table

Bring the beauty of the fall season indoors: Use autumn colors and the foliage and fruits of the season to set a spectacular Thanksgiving table.

Steps:

1. Make or purchase an appropriate autumn-themed or Thanksgiving centerpiece. Use a traditional cornucopia centerpiece or an autumn floral arrangement. Scatter fall leaves and nuts around your centerpiece.
2. Use autumn-colored candles set in wooden or rustic metal candleholders to decorate your table and to use as a centerpiece. Arrange fall foliage, wheat sprigs, clusters of berries, nuts, and mini pumpkins and other seasonal vegetables around the base.
3. Use a large, hollowed-out pumpkin instead of a vase to display a fall floral centerpiece. Scatter sprigs of wheat, clusters of berries, nuts and autumn leaves around the base of the pumpkin.
4. Set your table with a tablecloth, table runner, place mats and napkins done in autumn-themed prints and coordinating solids. Use prints sparingly to avoid giving your table a "busy" look and to keep attention focused on your centerpiece.
5. Use napkin rings that reflect the season as well. Hand-paint leaves onto plain wooden napkin rings or use purchased napkin rings that have a similar motif.
6. Use your good china or dishes done in autumn motifs and/or colors that coordinate with the colors used in other elements of your table's decoration.
7. Use clean autumn leaves as place cards. Rinse leaves and pat dry. Write each guest's name on a leaf with a black or gold felt-tip pen. Place one leaf in the center of each plate.

Tips:

• Keep nuts in the shell if using them as part of the centerpiece or for table decoration.
• Make sure that any foliage or vegetables used as table decorations are clean before placing them on the table or near food items.
• Keep your centerpiece small if your table space is limited. Remember that you'll have to leave room for serving platters, dishes and condiments.
• Keep the centerpiece at a height that will allow diners an unobstructed view of each other.
• Avoid using scented candles in your centerpiece. Their scents may interfere with the aromas of your holiday kitchen.
• Make your own tablecloth, napkins, place mats and table runner. These items are easy to make and add a special touch to any holiday table.

Quick Links

How to Make Thanksgiving Decorations
How to Make a Thanksgiving Cornucopia
Decorating the Children's Thanksgiving Table
Decorating Elegant Christmas Trees
How to Buy a Turkey
How to Roast a Turkey
How to Carve a Turkey

Handy Links to Our Decorating Products