by Kathryn Kirby

Created on: October 02, 2010   Last Updated: March 24, 2012

Setting your table for that beautiful Thanksgiving feast can be both easy and inexpensive. Using the rich shades of fall, it is easy to set a table that will raise a few eyebrows in appreciation. Imagine a beautiful, all-natural centerpiece running the length of your table. On the other hand, you can also use artificial items or let the kids create a few crafts. Combine any of the ideas below to set your Thanksgiving table to perfection.

The day before Thanksgiving, gather lush pine bows for the grounding piece of your arrangement. Spray them with insecticide to ensure no unwanted visitor’s and set aside. An hour or so before your Thanksgiving guests arrive, bring your pine bows in and create a table runner with them. Keeping the wick well above the pine bows, add some pillar and/or taper candles. Make sure your candles are all the same color and unscented.

At this point, you can add pinecones, dried berries, artificial flowers, miniature pumpkins and gourds. You can also choose a fall colored ribbon with a sheen to it and wind it through your pine bow runner. No body likes to wash all of those Thanksgiving dishes so splurge on some beautiful disposable plates, napkins and glasses to finish you table setting.

Involve the kids in your decorating by having them create small luminaries for the table. Using markers let them decorate the outside of paper sandwich bags, poke a few holes and fill the bottom with clean sand or cat litter to hold votive candles in place. Another thought is to let them paint or glitter the pinecones for your arrangements.

Create an elegant table setting with varying heights of glass candleholders running down the center of your table or grouped in one to three places. Entwine the candles with an iridescent ribbon, artificial berries and possibly a few dainty artificial flowers. Break out the fine China, good silver and crystal wine goblets. Make this a special evening dinner for close family and friends. Chill the wine, light the candles and bask in the glow.

Using dried berries, small pinecones, a jar candle and a large glass bowl, you can make a quick, inexpensive and unexpected centerpiece. Set the jar candle into the glass bowl and fill around it with the pinecones and berries or potpourri. A couple of small glass bowls with little jar candles filled in the same manner will complete the set. Cut pieces of burlap to make quick placemats and set the table with your favorite dishes.

Tuck artificial flowers around the bases of the glass bowls and place them in the center of the table with the small ones on both sides of the largest. Create napkins rings by weaving together small artificial flowers. Fill a basket with fall fruits as your centerpiece. Mix and mingle these ideas to create an inexpensive, jaw-dropping, Thanksgiving table set just right. Either way you choose, you win!

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