Beautiful tables everyone! I love all the creativity, china, crystal and the stories. WOW...17 people for TG. I only have 8.

dlm2000 - hahaha...I have had 2014 on my mind for a while. Trying to book plane reservations for a couple of trips and plan excursions. I have been having to fill in the dates and just had 2014 in my mind when I posted.

A sneak peak of my 2013 table :-) is below. I'll post another photo after the table is set tomorrow night.

maggiepie11- I hear you/ We are making the pecans pies (one plain, one chocolate) but buying our apple pie at Fresh Market. After making fresh apple pies the last few years, I have come to realize that I cannot make them as cheaply as I can buy from FM. Their pies are pretty darn good!

Excuse my poor photos. I used my iPad and they are fuzzy.

I layered pumpkins of different sizes, materials and colors, along with silver, silk leaves and various nuts. Added some candles, although we will be eating in the early afternoon.

I will be layering 2 chargers (the gold shown in previous table, and a rustic charger. See one under center glass cake plate) along with a dinner plate, salad plate and napkin.

Keep them coming!

Fabulous, newhomebuilder! So festive and pretty.

NewHomeBuilder, your table last year was lovely, but I think the pumpkin centerpiece you've arranged for this year is even more wonderful. I can't wait to see the whole table.

Holly-Kay, the pattern in my picture is Spode Woodland and you are right that it has the same feel as JB's His Majesty. In fact, I considered the Johnson Brothers pattern before I bought the Spode. I only have four plates because Thanksgiving is usually very laid back with a maximum of four people. Christmas, on the other hand, we have to split into two different dinners because there's 25+ on each side of the family. I'm getting tired just thinking about those gatherings.

Beautiful tables!!!

I've never hosted Thanksgiving but I love setting a holiday table. Your tables are all spectacular.
Holly-kaye , I do buffet style too but I set the table with the plates. People each pick up a plate from the spot they want to sit at & then head to the food.
Oakleyok- white plates & add napkins, napkin rings, candles, a tablerunner or placemats in a holiday theme or color. You could also buy a set of holiday decor salad sized plates & put those on top of a white plate. Less expensive than buying a whole place setting.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving & safe travels to all.

This is my first Christmas in my new home. Everything is so messed up that I am not getting time to decorate the house. After seeing these pictures, I am sure that now I can décor table well.

I love seeing this. I'm excited for the holidays.

Awm - I just love your home. The rich colors, the trim, that table - really wonderful.

Thanks sheesharee, how sweet of you!

Kitty was curious about the flowers. I've never seen her jump onto the sideboard before:

awm03 - I have some pieces of china just like yours. Some also have a snowy church on them. I love my Johnson Bros. plates. I just put them out for display yesterday.

That kitty is real? Looks like a porcelain figurine. So pretty!

I love JB china. I have 6 Christmas plates that I bought at TJ Maxx.

Holly-kaye - As romy718 mentioned, we do the same. Place settings on table along with name place cards. Everyone can fix their own drinks (water or tea - wine served) and salad plates. Then we have a blessing standing around the buffet set up in the kitchen. Everyone grabs their dinner plate and it's off to the races!

Oakleyok - romy718's idea is perfect! You can pick up a box of white china at Belk, Macy's or any large department of home goods store. Look for salad plates at antique malls, TJ Maxx or the department stores. If you do not have linens, go to Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Thank you for all the compliments...blush. Sometimes I get carried away. My husband rolls his eyes. Everytime I walk by the dining room table, I am changing something.

This post was edited by newhomebuilder on Tue, Nov 26, 13 at 8:35

So many pretty tables.

Now I'm slightly regretting giving away so many of my entertaining pieces. As long as my family doesn't see this thread and how nice these tables look, they should be content with whatever I can figure out using what I still have.

Thanks for sharing your pix.

I have always placed the dining plates on our counter next to the food. Maybe this year I should put the place settings at the table and let everyone pick up from there so I can enjoy a nicely set table.

Awm your kitty is absolutely darling! The toile paper in your dining room is gorgeous and I love your Friendly Village china. That is one of my favorites and is my youngest DD's china. I just bought her a lovely vintage platter that is huge in the FV pattern.

BonnieAnn, I love Thanksgiving too! It is my favorite holiday. We have so much to be thankful for.

All of your tables are so absolutely gorgeous that it puts mine to shame. Thank you all for sharing your beautiful tables!

I use the vintage Johnson Brother plates sometimes for our Christmas meal. Love using chargers with them also.

Our Thanksgiving table isn't set yet. I have a centerpiece of fresh ivy, dried hydrangeas, mini pumpkins, glass acorn ornaments.

tina

Very pretty tables. We're going to my father and stepmother's, so I have nothing to show off.

Holly-Kay - We serve buffet style but always set the table. It just looks prettier that way.

Beautiful tables! We are going to my parent's home for Thanksgiving, so no table to show off here. I am kind of sad, because my MIL gave me her vintage Johnson Brothers Thanksgiving dishes last summer and I haven't gotten to use them yet. I have Spode Christmas Tree (that also belonged to her) that I use at Christmas. Maybe next year.

texanjana - If you are not using the Thanksgiving JB china, I'd be glad to take them off your hands. :)

This is all I've done so far:

Though my table will be rather bland compared to what I've seen here. LOVE the metallic pumpkins!

I haven't set the table yet but will tomorrow afternoon. I put my pilgrims out after Halloween, and a scatter a few other Thanksgiving items around the house. That's about all the decorating I do for now.

fouramblues - What a gorgeous arrangement! I see you have a cornucopia in the background. What do you plan for that?

outsideplaying - Your Pilgrims are adorable and I love your table runner. I tried to find one long enough for my table, but dialed.

Here is my table mostly set up for the big day. I did not light the candles, and have the lights turned up tonight. I need something on the top plate with color. Not sure what.

Newhomebuilder, it looks like you are all set up for the big day. I love your butler's tray with the coffee set-up. I've always used my buffet for coffee and dessert, but it's a little tight on that side of the room. I could put a butler's table on the opposite where it would be easier to access. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

NHB, your table setting is gorgeous. Your guests will enjoy the day so much more because of your artistic arrangement. Thanks for starting this thread. It's been such fun seeing everybody's beautiful settings!

Really enjoying seeing all the table settings. For those hosting Thanksgiving, please post pics of your tables & food.
Newhomebuilder, your table looks perfect without anything on the top plate, but a few ideas: metallic wrapped chocolate candies in a small metallic basket with a ribbon that coordinates with your dishes, party crackers (always surprised at who is willing to put those paper crowns on their heads), tiny pumpkins?

Fun2BHere - The butlers tray table is a hold all for pretty things. LOL The coffee urn is a new addition from my husbands Aunts estate. I don't think it was ever used, and I am not planning to use it. It was a bear to polish it!

romy718 - Since it is snowing here, I am not planning on getting out. My daughter is suppose to come out after lunch and help me cook. I think she has some mini pumpkins. I like that idea...thank you!

Newhomebuilder, that coffee urn is beautiful. You're lucky to be the recipient of such a wonderful bequest. I would definitely use it, though. Oxidation from exposure to air creates tarnish, not coffee, so if you are going to display the urn, you may as well use it.

Yes, I know the coffee would have nothing to do with the tarnish. It's the coffee inside the urn that I would not want to drink. It doesn't hold all that much. Besides not many people drink coffee at functions anymore.

Here's my slightly holiday themed table. The room is the same one I've been asking for help in another thread. I've been able to try some small changes, but nothing at this end. The table has an extra leaf and the server is set up as a buffet line on the near wall. There is a second table set up next to this one, where LR furniture normally lies. Sadly, we have little in the way of holiday dinnerware. It's the first time we've hosted TG.

This post was edited by gooster on Thu, Nov 28, 13 at 2:05

gooster, elegant setting. Less really can be more!

We celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday since my DIL has to work today. Here's what the final setting looked like, Hope you all aren't sick of seeing my DR by now -- I think I'm just excited because I got the window view and the DR to photograph well at the same time! (off camera flash trick)
Cranberry sauce went in the cut glass condiment jars. My DIL made it with a little orange & pineapple juice, cinnamon, & fresh ground ginger. It was fabulous. So was her kale, brussel sprout, almond salad.

Newhomebuilder, I'm sorry that my post about tarnish came across as lecturing. I should have added a smiley face or something to indicate that I was teasing about tarnish coming from air, not coffee. I wish there were a few emoticons available to us on this site.

Gooster, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I think your table setting looks elegant and lovely.

Awm03, what a great picture! The scenery is gorgeous and your dining room looks like a perfect example of autumn...very welcoming.

gooster - Very elegant. I really like the silver rimmed china.

awm03 - I am glad that you showed us that side of your dining room and that wonderful view. So pretty!

Fun2BHere - Oh no...I didn't think you were coming off as lecturing. Adding my own emoticon. :-)

Well, Happy Thanksgiving anyone who has enough strength left to read this tonight. LOL

I survived the mad rush today. Everyone was able to get here despite the 3" of snow we received yesterday and terribly cold temps overnight. One of the guest had to come over the mountain this morning. It was a little icy in places, but the sun was out bright and clear.

I am THANKFUL that the last of my guest left a few minutes ago, the dishes are cleaned and food put away. Whew! Very long day that started with the first to arrive at 11:00am (grandbaby and his parents) and the last to leave at 6:00 was my oldest daughter. She spent two days here because of the weather. Lives across town.

It was a fun day, but very tiring for me. My husband pitched in big time to clean the dishes this year. I am VERY THANKFUL to him. YAY!

Thanks again for sharing your tables.

I'm living Thanksgiving "dinner" through you all. I'm sitting in a hospital cafeteria reading your posts & looking at your lovely tables. My elderly mother fell & fractured her knee cap that her joint replacement (January) is attached to. I'm hanging with her at the hospital. I have lots to be thankful for. Succeessful surgery, DD & SIL are in from OOT and my 1st grandchild is due in May.
I've never hosted Thanksgiving but your tables are inspirational.

romy, so sorry. It doesn't sound like a very happy Thanksgiving. What a worry. Hope you can enjoy your time with your DD & SIL and that your mom recovers well.

So sorry about your mothers fall. I hope she does well.

There is nothing like having a grandchild. Ours was the highlight of the day, today!

I wish I could post his photo, but here is his seat at the table. The Junior chair was mine and my siblings.

This post was edited by newhomebuilder on Thu, Nov 28, 13 at 21:22

Totally late to the party but I didn't get my table set until yesterday morning.

My table is super simple but I love it anyway. I used to really dislike my grandmother's Heinrich china but now I think it's absolutely beautiful.

Kellyeng, that is gorgeous -- the china, silver, the beautifully shaped goblets, the natural decorations, those fabulous place mats that I will now try to copy (imitation as sincere flattery, and all that), the wonderful wood table. If I were at your table yesterday, I probably would have sat there admiring everything, forgetting to eat! I love the colors, textures, shapes & patterns.

Did you make the place mats or buy them?

This thread has been terrific for sharing table setting ideas. Would love to see others for all the holidays or even just parties and family get togethers.

This post was edited by awm03 on Fri, Nov 29, 13 at 10:59

kellyeng - awm03 said everything that I was thinking and was prepared to write. Saved me some fingers to the keyboard. :)

I'd love to see a up close photo of your grandmothers china. I inherited my mother-in-laws and always try to use it for Thanksgiving - for my husband. I also did not care for it when I got it, but now love it!

Yes, I hope that more share their tables and stories from yesterday.

I have got to start thinking about Christmas, but think I will digest yesterday and enjoy my Thanksgiving/fall décor one more day. ;)

Thanks you two, your comments made my day!

I was stressing about what to put in the center and then Ina Garten posted something on Facebook about using green grapes for her table decor. I thought, "I have some green grapes!" Then it unfolded from there.

Awm03 - no I wish I sewed! Those place mats came from the Pottery Barn/Williams-Sonoma outlet store. I have a beautiful linen amber colored table cloth as well but I just can't bring myself to covering up the table.

Newhome, My dad purchased the china from the Heinrich factory for my grandmother when he was stationed in Germany, I believe, in the late 50s or early 60s.

Simply elegant. I'd love it too, especially coming from Germany.

Here is ours. We do a Christmasy theme b/c I am in FL for Christmas so this is our major holiday get-together.

Beagles, very elegant & festive. Love the clock & painting.

My goodness...what a beautiful large room to get together in. :) What state is your home in? At first I thought you meant you were in Florida, now. I was thinking what a fancy Florida home you have there. Then I noticed the woods with a slight slope and thought to myself "that's not Florida." :-)

I cannot bring myself to take down my table and start decorating for Christmas. Yesterday, DH helped me bring up from the basement, some things for outdoors. They are in the garage. We are getting our Christmas tree and 2 fresh wreaths for the front porch from a church fundraiser. They do not come in until next Saturday.

newhomebuilder, I'm still in PA, staying here until December 24 :)

Our FL home, the master bath project is (hopefully) getting finished up. We're actually putting that home on the market when I get down to FL this year. I decided I really don't like living so close to neighbors, so we are looking for a new FL house that is on at least 4 acres (instead of the half acre we have now). I'm willing to give up the water view to have more space and privacy.

Beagles, your cardinal dishes are so cheerful. I love the name of the pattern, Winter Greetings. It's so appropriate to this time of year when we are welcoming friends and family into our homes.

I love cardinal-themed Christmas decor. Beautiful room and setting, beagles! So cheerful.

beaglesdoitbetter - If you really want the water view, I'll bet there might be a 4 acre parcel of swamp land that you can find. hehehe Really, I am not sure what area you are looking in, but can you find land that large in Florida these days? Although you did say you did not need to be near the water, what about on the marsh?

I have always wanted to live on the marsh versus ocean view. The beach house that we rent every summer is between a canal and the marsh, and only a 5 minute walk to the ocean. It's the best of all worlds, though we do have close neighbors.

Good luck with your renovation and sale.

Well for 2014 we *should* be in a new house with an actual formal dining room. And then I can set a lovely table and take pictures of it.

Right now we just have a small eat-in kitchen dining space and since the table is always in use I don't ever get the chance to set it the way I'd like (well that, and thanks to my young kids).

My sorry looking table this year (I did have my Spode woodland gravy boat set out) And what I despise, the kitchen view which is completely visible and in your face as you try to enjoy a nice meal.

Cannot wait for Thanksgiving 2014 and a new dining room.

LOL, newhomebuilder... swamp land doesn't sound too attractive :)
We're looking in Odessa and Tarpon Springs, there are about five different properties I have my eye on online (obviously haven't seen any in person yet). All 4+ acres :)

I hear that both are nice places to live. :)

olivesmom - At least you were all together - although very close. It really wasn't any different at my house. The kitchen is steps away and can be seen from the dining room. About 5.5 of the 6 hours that everyone was at my house, they were all in the kitchen with me!

Well I know it's kind of late but I was not online all weekend. My TG table is significant because for the first time ever I was able to get all 15 people at one table. Well technically two tables end to end but it reached the desired effect.

Excuse the folding chairs used for little kids, etc but overall I think it turned out well. You'll have to imagine the candlesticks china, crystal, silverware and flowers on each table as well, I forgot to take one after it was finished except after everyone sat down. The photos with people and other missing items in them look at lot better needless to say.

During our recent kitchen remodel, we widened this opening from the breakfast area into the dining room in order to allow this. Up till now, I've turned the tables sideways and gotten them both into the DR, but it was tight. This was much better. The DR table isn't centered in the room because the opening isn't centered, so we're not exactly under the light fixture but hey what the heck. Having a sit down meal served on actual dishes for 15 people in this day and age is something I'm proud of. It makes me sad that no one wants to keep china and crystal anymore. I have two sets, one from one of my grandmothers and one that my MIL got in Germany while there were in the Air Force and some really beautiful crystal that we asked for as wedding gifts.

Really fun TG cooking in the new kitchen and getting everyone together to eat.

Maybe my beautiful cheesecake can take the place of some of the other decorations!

Olivesmom, I love that your family was together at Thanksgiving and that you used your Woodland gravy boat. Sometimes, a touch of special can make us smile. Cute kiddos.

Lucas_tx, that cheesecake looks scrumptious. Could you send a slice my way? :-) Congratulations on seating everyone at one table. When my family gets together for Christmas, we set up tables all over the house in order to get everyone seated.