Happy Weekend Friends! Today we are having a blog hop-over! Our host Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home has gathered us for a Season of Thanks so we can share beautiful Thanksgiving ideas. You are going to want to hop around and see them all. If you popped over from Our Southern Home, welcome. I’m glad you’re here! Let’s get started with how to create a special Thanksgiving gathering for 4.
How To Create A Special Thanksgiving Gathering For 4
I know for many of us, this crappy pandemic year will be different and possibly not as fun as years passed. If so, that doesn’t mean it can’t be special and still feel like a celebration. All it takes is a few little tweaks here and there. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive. Really, it’s just about doing something you don’t usually do. Here are my steps to making small gatherings special too.
Step One:
I have never used a table cloth before. I have a few but they are neatly folded and organized in a basket. So to change up my normal table setting routine, I added a table cloth. A beautiful soft vintage cloth found in an antique store in Grapevine Texas. Not sure what it is about the old ones but they are so soft. Maybe a hundred washings? Hmmm. If you usually use a table cloth, switch it up this year. You could also use a runner and placemats instead. Or how about 2 runners going down the length of the table or crisscrossing them instead? Or how about using a throw blanket or quilt as a tablecloth? That would create a unique table and cozy feel.
Step Two:
Decide on your centerpiece. I typically go the long route. Meaning, I run my centerpiece in the middle and the length of the table like this other Thanksgiving centerpiece, this Spring table, this Easter table and this fall one too. So this time, I’m removing the leaf in the table and creating a circular centerpiece. I am also adding candles which is something I rarely do. You know how I love using bottles. So adding dripless candles inside the neck of the bottle was a quick and easy idea. Once I light them, I’ll make sure they stand vertically.
Step Three:
Don’t use your everyday plates. Did you register for fine china when you got married or do you have a set of your grandmothers? Use it! If you don’t have china, holiday or seasonal plates, no worries! How about adding Washi Tape to the edges of your plates or try out silver or gold leaf. You can get clear glass plates from the Dollar Store and do all kinds of decorative things to them. Like using Mod Podge and a beautiful napkin on the back side of the plates or try stenciling a monogram. Pinterest will have plenty of ideas for you.
Step Four:
Cloth napkins are a must. Nothing says fancy like a cloth napkin. 😉 Coordinate it all to your place settings. And a napkin ring is always nice. If you don’t want to use a napkin ring, check out some of these fun ways to fold a napkin from Good Housekeeping. If you prefer a simpler idea, give each person their own personal gift. Maybe a handmade gift or a handwritten I’m-thankful-for-you card.
Step Five:
Have you ever been to a fancy schmancy restaurant and instead of looking at a menu for the desserts, they brought around a dessert cart? If you don’t have a bar cart, use a tray. If not a tray, carve out a pretty space on the kitchen counter, borrow a sofa table from another room or use a small side table. Add desserts, a bowl of nuts, appetizers or all of them like I did. Try and carry your color or theme over to the cart as well. I’m using a vase of the same flowers used in the centerpiece. Don’t forget to vary the heights and coordinate the containers on the car as well. Adding a couple of tealights creates great ambiance too.
Thank you so much for visiting our Season of Thanks tour and for checking out how to create a special Thanksgiving gathering for 4. Next in line is Decor to Adore. I know Laura’s jewel toned Thanksgiving table will be stunning. Don’t forget to click on each link below for more fabulous festive ideas!
Happy Thanksgiving Friends!
I love your centerpiece idea! Your dining table looks beautiful. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Author
Thanks bunches Stacy! This kitchen table has a totally different vibe than the dining room. And I love change so this is working well!
I’m with you and will be glad to see 2020 in the rear view mirror. Thanksgiving will be different from other years, but I do want it to be celebrated. Love your tablecloth and bar cart. We always set up a buffet in the kitchen and let everyone fill their plates, also works great for dessert buffet cause you can go back for seconds! have a great weekend, Cindy!
Author
Yes, I’m thankful that 2020 is almost over! I bet all holidays are fun at your home. So warm and cozy. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Debra.
Happy Thanksgiving. Your tablescape is gorgeous. I love the flowers!
Author
Thanks so much Katie. I have no clue what they are but the matched the yellow and green! LOL. You know I gotta match. 😉
Cindy,
This is so pretty and welcoming! I love all of your tips especially about using a bar cart or improvising one! Happy Thanksgiving!
Author
Thank you Christy. I use that tea/bar cart for so many things. It’s super old and has a lot of paint layers but it’s handy. Happy Thanksgiving!
Great tips, Cindy. I love my collection of vintage tablecloths, but I have set a table this year with just placemats and a runner. We love desserts in this household, so a dessert bar is always a crowd pleaser (or even just for the two of us!). I bought some chocolates to pair with wines to give as token gifts, but guess what? I dug in to them hours after purchasing…..lol, had to make sure they were ok. Oh well, let them eat cake. I hope you enjoy the season, however pared down the holiday may be.
Author
LOL Rita! I probably would have done the same thing. Who can resist chocolate?! Sounds like you’re going to have a great time. Enjoy your people and the desserts. 🙂
So thankful for this post! Great and glorious ideas. Do you need any help eating the cake? That tablecloth is gorgeous.
Author
As a matter of fact Laura, we do need help eating that lemon pecan cake! And I love this hop too. It makes me happy to know that no matter what state our country is in, there is always something to be thankful for and I have sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many things.
I love your table it looks so pretty and know your family will feel special.
Author
I hope so Marlene. And I wish the same for you. Happy Thanksgiving.
Such a pretty table and I love your appetizer and dessert table and how you set it up. Such great tips and ideas.
Author
Thanks Marty. Cake ought to help us all feel more special this year, right?! Let them eat cake!
Cindy, Your Thanksgiving setting is just lovely! I LOVE that tablecloth and what a great idea to repurpose pretty bottles for candles! Did you notice we used the same simple fall blooms? 😉
Author
I didn’t notice until you said something and I went back and checked! I thought they went well with yellow and green – just like in your picnic! Haha. Great minds and all that. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have wonderful Thanksgiving.
I’m with you Cindy! I was ready to say goodbye to 2020 a long time ago. Love the tablecloth you used. I usually use table runners, but think it would be fun to try a plaid blanket. I would love to help you eat the dessert if you need it! Everything is so pretty!
Author
A plaid blanket would look fabulous on your table! And I think everyone in the world will be screaming SAYONARA 2020. At least I know I will. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I do wish you could come help us eat all this dessert! 😉
Nothing beats a beautiful tablecloth!❤️
Author
Especially a vintage tablecloth. 😉
I love how intimate your table is and that food looks amazing! Happy Thanksgiving!
Author
Thanks Kelly. It’s nice using it since we are empty nesters now. Especially playing cards or games.
Great tips Cindy! I think I’ll concentrate on the dessert display since I’m an “eat dessert first” kind of person LOL. Love how cute the candles look in the bottles mixed in with the flowers. You alway come up with the best ideas!
Author
Awe, thanks so much Michelle. The idea came only because I’d just spent a lot of time heating and dripping wax into the bases of the log stumps we had made and I wasn’t going to take them back out. They were red. LOL. Happy Thanksgiving!
Love these fabulous tips, Cindy, and how you incorporated the dessert cart and vintage tablecloth too. They’re both beautiful. I’ve always appreciated how you add candles and greenery to your tablescapes. I’ve promised myself I’m going to use more candles this season because I love all the ambiance they add to your tables. Big hugs, CoCo
Author
I love the candles too but they make me hot so I rarely light them! LOL! With the chandelier lights, candles, plus a sweater and the heater on, this girl can’t take it! Something’s gotta give and I can’t go around naked. Although this is 2020 and so far, everything is crazy… Hmmm.
Pretty table – and great tips! I agree with you on the cloth napkins and I love that centerpiece! Great hopping with you!
Shelley
Author
Thank you. Do your napkins get stained?! I don’t understand how each time we use them, I find one with something on it that was not on the menu.
Ayi yi yi. But, even though I hate when they get stained, I still love using them. Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful.
ooh, loving that new, vintage tablecloth! But wait…you’ve never used a tablecloth; say what?? I can’t even! Guess there’s a first time for everything; I’m glad you got over that hurdle:) Now you can buy about 50 more to get caught up with me:0 Love how you stood the candles in the bottles. And those sweets…I’m drooling! Bet you slaved all day baking those;)
Author
I haven’t used a tablecloth because unlike cloth napkins that get a stain, I can’t replace it – LOL! I don’t trust my people. I’m clumsy and they are messy. As for those sweets, the only slaving away was cramming the box into the garbage. I will bake for the real holiday but that’s it. I don’t want to fill the house with smoke more than twice a year. 😉
Cindy I love that tablecloth and the way you incorporated green into your Thanksgiving table. Your dessert carts and snack trays are so beautiful and everything looks delicious (I didn’t develop food allergies until my late 30’s so I can still “taste’ all those yummy desserts!)
Even if you have a small gathering I know you will make it special and a blast for everyone. I hope you have a wonderful, safe and healthy Thanksgiving!
Author
Speaking of allergies, my mouth now itches up a storm when I eat guacamole and I love me some guac! And now when I eat cilantro it tastes like soap. What the heck? I’m 53 and that just started. Not going to be happy if cheese, potatoes and bread get added to the list! LOL! Although maybe it would help the hips.
Thanks for putting this together and inviting me along. I love your hops. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Cindy. Since many Thanksgiving celebrations this year will be much smaller, ideas for setting a smaller table is a great idea. Love dripless candles. Certainly a good idea when you are using a tablecloth. Hope you and the family have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Author
Besides leaning into the Lord and being more appreciative for things, this dang pandemic has got me thinking on a smaller scale and using things that are normally put away for special occasions. Like the china and vintage tablecloths. I’ll be glad when they develop a vaccine and people can run around willy nilly without a mask and things get back to normal. Bet you’ve only heard that a thousand times these last couple of months. 😉 Hope your thanksgiving is wonderful and you get to spend it with your kids and grandkids.
Lovely ideas and tips for making the holiday a little more special. This has been a crappy year, hasn’t it? This is probably why I am decorating early for Christmas and more special than ever! The tablecloth is lovely, and so are the pretty plates! Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!
Author
Yes, this has been a crappy year. We’ve probably all said that at least 100 times – LOL. Decorating makes me happy and keeps my mind off the yuckiness of 2020 so let’s all decorate for Christmas now! Turn on those tunes, dance and hang some garland! I’m in. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Chloe and thank you for the visit.
Oh how I love this table Cindy! I love the yellows and greens! The tablecloth is amazing and I love the way you did the ferns and the candlesticks! I must do candles this way! I’m so inspired!!! I love the little maple candies on the plates, such a great idea!
Author
It’s exciting to see that there’s an idea you want to incorporate Kristin! That makes my week. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving up there in that fabulous cabin!