Thanksgiving Tablescapes

With the excitement of Thanksgiving just around the corner, it is time to talk tablescapes! First of all, what is a tablescape? It is the arrangement of items on a table that produces an attractive and decorative effect, often with matching plates, bowls, etc. The goal of a tablescape is too enhance your guests dining experience, which also includes encouraging conversation between the guests. I can not think of a better day than Thanksgiving to try this out, with family and friends all coming together to share a beautiful meal at the table. Since we are a floral shop I like to focus on adding that element throughout my design.

This year I hosted an “Early Bird Special” ( Side note: This is a play on words, my Dad calls this dinner this because it is a turkey he cooks early in the month prior to thanksgiving. Not because we are senior citizens who eat at 5pm. He thinks this is very clever and funny. So do I.) Okay, anyways back to where I was, I hosted a dinner party this year and I went all out on the tablescape and let me tell you it was so much fun to design and create, and throughout the night it just lit up the room up and made everything feel so magical.

Lets get started:

First I set up the tables in their desired location and covered with table clothes. Since the size of my dinner party was a little larger than my dining room table could hold, I rented two 10 foot tables which needed the table clothes. I would not have used table clothes if I had used my own dining room table. So keep in mind they are not always necessary.

After the initial setup I start with the creative part by laying branches of Eucalyptus flat down the middle of the table as my runner leaving about a foot free at each end for a place setting. For this step you will want to use Silver Dollar Eucalyptus.

Next I place my decorative garland over the eucalyptus, the garland is 6 feet long and I slightly zig zag it back and forth so its not so straight, giving the tablescape some depth. The garland is full of variety of gorgeous leaves and branches and gold pumpkins.

Following the garland I place out all my odds and ends items such as candelabras, flower arrangements and pumpkins. Starting with the largest itmes.

For this tablescape I had two large candleabras, one at each end. Then working inward I placed two glass vases filled with water and floating candles. Two small flower arrangements in funky fall themed vases and a Pilgram ceramic figurine. I then went around the table and filled in any little spots throughout the tablescape with single flowers and Baby’s Breathe

Flowers Used : Eucalyptus, Football Mums, Wax Flower, Daisy, Alstroemeria and Baby’s Breath.

Once the centerpiece is done I set my table. Depending on what you have you can elaborate more or less with this step. I kept it pretty simple this year, I had dark blue plate charger, white dish wear and white linen napkins with beautiful gold utensils. I placed the plate on the charger, the napkin on the plate, silverwear on the napkins and then top it off with a a custom cookie I had ordered for the party. The cookies were individually wrapped and made a good “take home” gift.

Once you finish setting your table do the following (THESE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT STEPS):

Light the candles, dim the lights, put on some nice music and pour yourself a glass of wine. Then step back and just enjoy the beauty you just created, it a mood, you’ll feel it.

For pictures and photos of the finale tablescape check out our Instagram @bloombar_floraldesigns or Pinterest!

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Friendsgiving! Happy Early Bird Special!