Thanksgiving Table Ideas + Leaf Cork Trivets

Last weekend we hosted nine college friends for an annual ‘Friends-giving’, an event we have to celebrate the season with our two favorite things, our friends and food! I’d love to show you some of the tables I’ve set for the event and for some dinners here this season and share my Thanksgiving table ideas. My love for dishes has translated into a love for table settings! Plus I have a quick craft of how to make leaf cork trivets, which are so easy, plan to make some for yourself and for gifts.

I created this table for last weekend. All of my table settings start with our super fancy tablecloth. A drop cloth. Yes, that’s right, I use a painter’s drop cloth for on the table. While we don’t have a “real” dining set just yet {we use 2 folding tables}, the drop cloth fits over both of them.

Then I love to add layers. As in table coverings over the drop cloth. I found this amazing plaid fabric for just a few bucks a yard, hemmed the edges and draped it down the center of the table. It creates such a warm cozy feeling, and fulfills my love of neutrals in decorating. This was the table we set for our friends-giving.

Notice all the room I leave for our food, because we like to eat a lot!

Continuing with my layer theme, I added my holiday table runner on top of the plaid. I think the gold and white goes perfectly with the plaid, it’s glam meets country.

For the center of this and most tables I like to add something as a focal point. Flowers always do well, even if I do remove them before we eat, so guests on either side of the table can see each other. The slate trivets compliment the natural look and the pine cones are perfect for Thanksgiving decorating.

To make the leaf cork trivets you see in the top photo, all you need are pieces of cork {try to get the flat sheets, then they won’t roll up as much like mine do} and a leaf pattern. Trace the pattern and cut them out. I used mine in the place setting under my clear plates.

The leaf trivets stand out perfectly against my chalkboard chargers, which are just chargers from the craft store spray painted with chalkboard paint. Sometimes I write on them with guests names for a name card of sorts.

This is one of my favorite table settings, I just love the black, white, gold and natural materials.

Sometimes I switch up the place mats or runners. I usually mix and match what I have and go for more layers, which I think brings a nice depth to your table.

I also love to use natural components to the table. a few years ago I begged my father-in-law to cut me some wood slices. He cuts firewood in his spare time, and had plenty lying around, so I asked for as thin as possible. I use them  as trivets and decorations for the table.

The above setting was a table I put together last year with my glitter pine cones in small terra cotta pots I painted, because why not paint everything silver and gold.

Which of these will be our table this week? Who knows! That’s the fun of switching things up.

Do you get to set a pretty table this season? Did this give you any ideas?