For our table this year we’ve selected an elegant Thanksgiving tablescape featuring neutrals! Utilizing neutrals creates a stunning and sophisticated way to celebrate one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving! I’ve been spending lots of mental real estate, planning months ahead, for our new menu for this year and of equally important how the Thanksgiving tablescape will come together. This blog post is your Step by Step Guide to Creating a Stunning Neutral Thanksgiving Tablescape.
Most years for our Thanksgiving tablescape has featured bold orange, earthy browns, navy blues, strong prints, and tons of color.  But this year pairing back to the simplicity of a neutral palette, just feels right. The total look feels more elegant and yet relaxed, the hallmark of what we hope our Thanksgiving hosting experience will be with our family this year!Â
Just like the leaves here in the mountains, the yellows and golds are the first leaves that sweep across the mountainscape, signaling that full beauty of Autumn is here! Gold accessories like the oak leaf napkin ring and charger pairs so beautifully with neutrals.  And the best news for last is this Thanksgiving Tablescape took on a $100 Challenge. Almost everything on the table was purchased as part of a $100 budget including: gold chargers, silver floral urns, oasis foam, fresh floral, napkins, tablecloth, votives, and cutlery. Here are some disclaimers: this step by step guide will show you how to achieve a similar look for your holiday table and this budget below is representative for a table setting for eight. And I colored outside the lines, blowing the budget a little and I am pleased!  Not only am I feeling great about the price tag and staying within budget, but also the overall look achieved! This budget however does not reflect the platinum China and crystal goblets; which could easily be substituted with simple everyday white plates and clear glassware you already own.Â
Neutrals: Versatile and Easy to Transition
When I stop to consider which pieces get used the most in our entertaining arsenal: neutrals win hands-down! Neutral pieces have the most versatility and can be used throughout the change of seasons and pair beautifully with a few bright pops of color or minimal seasonal decor pieces. And neturals have a superpower that they can be combined with any color from the spectrum and still look amazing making them great investments for your family!
Neutrals are the perfect solution for anyone looking to create a timeless tablescape. Timeless and classic neutrals like beige, ivories, taupes, and soft grays transcend time and can be featured in any decor style. Providing the perfect backdrop in this tablescape to really make the metallic accents of gold and silver shine. Â
Thanksgiving Tablescape: Tablecloth and Napkins
We’ve selected a neutral base which includes: the tablecloth, napkins, and crystal drinkware. Perfect for the Autumn season, the tablecloth is a subtle nod to Autumn and features a neutral leaf pattern. Here’s a step-by-step description to help you achieve this look:
Neutral Leaf Print Tablecloth
First step, the base for our tablescape this neutral-colored tablecloth incorporates a leaf design in muted ivory, beige, and subtle hints of taupe. This tablescape creates a subtle and elegant foundation with the leaf motif that allows the gold accents to shine.
White Cloth Napkins
Celebratory dining occasions like Thanksgiving, really call for a cloth napkin. Not only do they look great on your place setting but it just feels elevated to have a cloth napkin. White napkin linens which are a great inexpensive item to purchase that can be used with almost any tablescape. And as a parent, I believe it’s well worth the extra effort of creating a formal place setting so my children know the proper dining etiquette and feel comfortable at a beautiful table. For this look we used a simple rectangle fold, which looks great with these gold Red Oak leaf napkin rings.Â
Noritake Crestwood Platinum China
Opting for this simple and elegant Noritake Crestwood Platinum china set in white with a platinum border is stunning! The clean backdrop will make your antique gold chargers and other accents stand out. The mix of gold and silver is elegant with the play of the platinum plate edge and silver floral urns are stunning with the gold accents in the napkin ring and charger. This set is a service for eight and when you consider the price per piece is under eight dollars per item; it’s a great value and perfect for anyone who loves to entertain!
Antique Gold Chargers
Gold has characteristics that are warm and inviting just like the Thanksgiving season itself! Place these gold chargers beneath each plate to add a touch of opulence. These charges have a rich, warm hue that will contrast beautifully with the neutral plates and create a luxurious base. I purchased the ones used for our Thanksgiving tablescape from the Dollar Tree for a $1.25 each. And I love the way the edges of this particular charger play off of the bamboo root cutlery. Â
Godinger Crystal Goblets
You will love these crystal goblets. The cut design in these crystal goblets is beautiful and size of the goblet is the essence of hospitality, as it holds enough of your favorite beverage for an entire family-style meal.  For crystal, these are very affordable for a pack of four.
Bamboo Root Cutlery
 The natural texture and warm tones of bamboo will contrast beautifully with the gold accents. And I love how the bamboo brings in a bark like element that is echoed in the chiseled edges of the gold chargers.Â
Leaf Napkin Ring
For our tablescape the season accessories are minimal: the subtle leaf pattern tablecloth and gold oak leaf napkin rings. Oak leaves symbolize strength. And we love oak leaves and use them liberally in our home decor. We have four sets of oak leaf napkin rings that we use throughout the year. If you are looking to specifically source gold oak leaf napkin rings Ebay and Etsy are both great resources for finding them.  And here are a couple of great options available online:
Gold Leaf Napkin Rings Set
Gold Blossom Napkin Rings
Maple Leaf Napkin Rings Set
Floral Arrangements Centerpiece Accessories
For our centerpiece we created elegant floral arrangements with a white pallet of florals and stunning greenery. Inspired by the stunning floral centerpieces from our wedding, we wanted to opt for low-profile arrangements that ensure clear sightlines and make it easy for everyone at the table to converse with each other. For entertaining, low-level floral centerpieces can really enhance the ambiance, look so elegant, and keep the table interactions unobstructed.
Â
And the best news is these two centerpieces are very affordable. For anyone looking to DIY the florals centerpieces themselves both arrangements cost $40 to make. The florals were purchased at our local grocery store in individual bundles. The florals we selected are: leather leaf fern, tree fern, sea holly, and these delicate white Matthiola flowers. We foraged our property for nandina, sage, which stays evergreen at our house and the tiny starts of our white hydrangea blossoms; which really helped to fill out these centerpieces.Â
Floral Silver Urns
These classic design of these plastic silver urns are perfect for housing your oasis floral foam, they are lightweight and will not tarnish like real silver pieces.  And you’ll love that these silver urns are inexpensive and can be reused many times.
Oasis Floral Foam
Oasis floral foam is used in fresh floral arrangements to help hold flowers and greenery in place. Floral foam is designed to absorb water, keeping the flowers hydrated for longer periods. When preparing for your Thanksgiving centerpiece you will be able to do it a couple of days prior to entertaining and enjoy it for many days after the Thanksgiving festivities.
Candle Votives
These simple candle votives blend seamlessly with the neutral theme while adding a warm, inviting glow for your tablescape. In the spirit of the $100 Challenge, these votives are inexpensive at less eight dollars for a set of 12 and are great stylistically as they continue the low-profile design for the centerpiece to not obstruct conversation or sight lines.Â
Place Cards
For Thanksgiving we love using place cards so everyone knows where they are sitting without having to ask. Opting for this simple white design with a gold border will tie into the neutral theme.
Rattan Salt & Pepper Shaker Set
You’ll love this Rattan Salt & Pepper shakers; which look special for every season and occasion. We love this woven rattan paired with the silver finish the texture it adds to your tablescape certainly elevates the overall look!Â
Happy Thanksgiving!
With these elements combined, your Thanksgiving table will radiate understated elegance, allowing the gold accents to pop against the neutral backdrop and creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for your guests. Hope you enjoyed this article and would love to hear what you are thinking about for your Thanksgiving tablescape in the comments below!   Happy Thanksgiving!Â