7 EASY AND AFFORDABLE LAST-MINUTE IDEAS FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING TABLE

In the midst of wrapping up work, planning your menu, ordering your turkey, and inviting your guests, did decorating slip your mind? Don’t worry — it’s not too late!

We have plenty of ideas that make use of things you probably already have on hand (or can easily pick up) to set a beautiful and affordable holiday table.

Wine Bottle Vases

If you enjoy wine the way we do, then you probably have a few empty bottles waiting to be recycled. Rescue them from the bin for one more lease on life courtesy of the Food Network! Just clean out the bottles, fill them with a variety of dried goods from your pantry, and top them with a thin taper candle. Now, how easy is that?

Printable Placemats

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner already entails more cleanup than we’d like. Take one thing off your plate this year by skipping the fancy linens and opting for paper instead! There are all kinds of great printable placemats to be found on the world wide webs. We particularly like this one, which will help your guests focus on the true meaning of the holiday even when distracted by all that delicious food.  

Herb Bouquets

If you’re a longtime reader of the blog (or have read Betsy’s book), then you probably already know how important it is to incorporate living elements in any decorative scheme. A vase of fresh cut flowers is one easy option, but if all the prime real estate is taken up with food, why not make use of the place settings? Just grab whatever herbs you have in the kitchen, wrap them in ribbon or twine and voila! — each guest gets their own bouquet.

Fairylit Accents

If there are kids at your dinner, candles might be off the table. Good thing fairylights have come a long way! They’re not just for trimming your tree anymore — they’re are a wonderful, flame-free way to get a perfectly illuminated look. Wrap them around your favorite decorative accents or lay them down on your table in between serving platters.

Scattered Harvest

If you did any fall decorating earlier this year, chances are you have some gourds and mini pumpkins laying around your home. Gather them up and bring them to the table. Lay down a runner, add a couple of branches if you’d like, and scatter your root vegetables across the center for a farm-to-table feel.

Acorn Votives 

Acorns are so emblematic of fall. But did you know that, as seeds of the mighty oak tree, they also symbolize strength and potential? Bring a bunch in from your yard (or buy a bag at a craft store), and use them to fill a decorative glass for an extra meaningful holiday decoration.  

Cheese-Board Centerpieces

Stretch your food budget a little further by having your appetizers serve as decor! Putting together a fabulous cheese board makes for a mouthwatering tablescape that will tide your guests over until the turkey is done. Make sure to include a variety of colors and textures for maximum impact (and so you can balance prime ingredients with more budget-friendly items!

What are your go-to Thanksgiving decorations? Share them in the comments, on our Facebook page, or by email: in**@af**********************.com.