by Ramona Taylor

Created on: November 10, 2009   Last Updated: November 24, 2009

It's almost Thanksgiving! Other than the turkey, it's also time to dress your house! The Thanksgiving season is another great opportunity for the hardcore decorating mavens for show their style. However, for those of us who think gumballs are only candy and that hickory is for grills, there is hope! With some creativity and some help from Mother Nature, you can create clever and inexpensive holiday tablescapes.

The Elements of the Tablescape

In a practical sense, a tablescape is more than just nice salt shakers and napkin holders. Your tablescape is an inspired decoration for your table. Elements of a tablescape include- table linens, plates, glassware, flatware, flowers, candles and other decorative items. For your tablescape, think about what theme you want to portray. For Thanksgiving, you have so many options. Also, consider what materials you already have or have access to. This will help you keep your budget low. In case you are lost for inspiration, there are a number of workable ideas in your favorite womenn's magazines.

Tablescape Ideas

Fruit and Candles - A nice tablescape can be made just with a few pieces of fruit and pillar candles. One way is to garnish your candles with dried fruit. This can be done by gluing the fruit directly on your candles or around a nice clear bowl. Add an extra touch of style with berries sprigs or berried branches. You can garnish with berries or berried branches. All your supplies can be found at local dollar stores and your favorite grocery store.

Fruit/Pumpkin Place Cards- Take a page from Martha Stewart's book of style and add a twist. An apple, pear, or small gourd can keep your places set. Set your table with stemmed apples, pears, or tiny pumpkins and simply add a gold trimmed card with names printed on each. Calligraphy and ribbons give it that special touch. Cards can be found cheaply and quality gold paint pen does the rest. If you failed penmanship in school, your trusty computer can do the work for you. Choose a fabulous font and let the printer go. Any napkin or runner color would be complimented by this clever and cheap tablescape vignette.

Flowering Tree- Your tablescape theme can be a close as your backyard and dollar store. Go out back and find a uniquely shaped branch. No breaking is required. You can smooth off the bark or leave it on. It's your tablescape. So, it's your choice. Find some nice flowers from a dollaror thrift store and glue the flowers to the branches. Use this and strategically placed candles and your table is more than set.

Sticks or Stones- If you want to save the food for your guests, try pebbles and sticks to make a stunning tablescape. Using nice clear bowls or large brandy sniffers, fill the bottom of your glass with earthy or colorful stones. Add candles and place. With sticks, bind them with jut cord and add names as place settings. This rustic basic design can be complimented with jut cord accessories- like bottles or vases with nice yard flowers.

Don't forget the runner- Most thrift, department or specialty stores have nice holiday runners, but you can make your own simply. Take a nice piece of cloth, textured or one with a favorite design and lay it down the center of your table. Add some favorites, candles, fruit or even a nice basket. Fill the basket with yard pickings, pine cones, fruit flowers or all of the above. For a signature look, you can spray paint or accent paint those cones.

These simple and inexpensive ideas will even impress the most devoted decorating diva. With your beautiful table in place, all you need to do is set the feast and your are ready for another memorable Thanksgiving holiday.

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