Each October as the leaves start to change colors and the air gets cooler I get excited for my favorite season.  Nothing says autumn and Thanksgiving like watching football, getting out the sweaters, raking leaves and making warm meals.
I’ve never been the person that keeps the nice China squirreled away up in the attic. I use it all the time, on any occasion and anytime I entertain. In fact I hate entertaining with paper plates. (That’s a whole other post). There’s nothing that makes your guests feel more special than bringing out the “good stuff” and setting a decked out table. But to get the look of the good China you don’t always need to spend a lot of money. So on a recent shopping trip to HomeGoods when I came across this fall inspired dinnerware that was gold and white and blended perfectly with my find wedding China I knew I needed to get it. After all it had my name written all over it. Well not really…  but it was the perfect reason to feed the dinnerware junkie in me.  I picked up a few other “must need” entertaining essentials for additional special touches. Below I’ve set the table for a casual gathering and mixed it with my fine china to make it more formal. Both ways looking equally special and inviting for my guest.
I found these faux boxwood initial letters in the dollar bin at Michael’s. I tied the B (for Brown) on the head chairs with leftover Christmas present sheer ribbon and a thick linen color ribbon that a blanket came wrapped in. One more use for the pretty gift wrap ribbon!
I had left over from last years Thanksgiving a bolt of burlap. I turned it over and folded it in half so that my rustic table would show.  I added antlers, my favorite moss and seed orbs, felt pumpkins, ceramic pears, owls and other autumnal accessorizes to the center of the farmable. Bright Fall colored napkins are sandwiched in between gold chargers also purchased at HomeGoods. The Give Thanks plates were 19.99 for a set of four. Just five bucks each in stark contrast of my Richard Ginori china plates that cost $165. each.But really who would know?
Here I use the bread/dessert plates on the fine china and still creates a festive setting. The cutest ceramic shot glasses in a chalice shape get miniature seeded pumpkins. These shot glasses come in multiple shapes including mug shaped and mini mason jars and was found last minute in the check out aisle.
In this setting I mixed the “Give Thanks” plates with my grandmothers silver, white tablecloth, glass goblets from Pottery Barn and a fall centerpiece. The shot glasses got yard clipping of mums, winter cabbage and boxwood greens creating a mini floral arrangement for each guest.
So now you know what my Thanksgiving table will look like. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? How you Give Thanks? I’d love to see how you set your table. Please tag me in your posts and don’t forget to take out the good china every once in a while. Life is just too short ! xoxo Amie
