Drew and Jonathan’s Pro Tips for an Easy, Stunning Thanksgiving Table Setting
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Drew and Jonathan love entertaining friends and family, especially around the holidays! From Jonathan and Zooey’s whimsical Christmas celebrations to Drew and Linda’s fun holiday decor, it’s easy to tell that the Bros love making the season feel magical. And right at the start of all the hustle and bustle comes Thanksgiving to unofficially kick off the holiday parties through the New Year. If you’re planning a Thanksgiving dinner to remember this season, then you’ll need some Thanksgiving table setting tips and decor ideas to make it happen. That’s where Drew and Jonathan come in.
Today, they’re sharing all their most helpful tablescape tips and ideas for a Turkey Day feast that goes off without a hitch. “Hosting Thanksgiving dinner for family, or even doing a Friendsgiving get-together, doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming,” Jonathan says. Watch their video to see exactly how they craft a Thanksgiving dinner table, and read below for an inside look at all their best tricks.
Tip #1: Layer Your Table Linens
The easiest way to make your table look more upscale is by layering. You could place a runner down the center of the table (alone or over a tablecloth), style candles in varying heights, and add some seasonal greenery or vases of flowers. Or maybe instead, you layer standout placemats over a neutral tablecloth and pair them with unique linen napkins and holiday napkin rings. The options here are endless, really, and you can make it entirely yours. But a mix of elements will always make it more interesting.
Tip #2: Play With Height
When incorporating multiple layers of fabric, candles, greenery, and more, you want to add variation in height, too. Mix it up with taper candles, fresh florals, or other elements that add dimension to your tablescape.
Bonus: The order in which you style your table matters, too! You don’t want to have to reach around a bunch of tiny objects or rearrange the tablecloth just because you thought to add something in last-minute. So, after you’ve set up your base layer (tablecloth and/or runner), add in your tallest, most obtrusive items (like candles and vases). Once that’s done, you can go in with your smaller decor pieces (greenery, acorns, pumpkins) to complete the look.
Tip #3: Mix In Seasonal Foliage
An easy way to make your table look more timely for autumn is with foliage or greenery. You can use eucalyptus or magnolia in the fall, holly or winterberries in the winter, and so on. Randomly line the center of your table with fresh greenery (or realistic faux finds) between your candles, florals, and other decor for an easy natural look that makes an impact.
Tip #4: Avoid Too Much Symmetry—Make It Feel Organic!
When designing the center of your table, it doesn’t have to look uniform or symmetrical. Imperfection is perfection here! You want the table to feel organic and natural, not stiff and structured, so don’t stress too much. Mess around with the position of the centerpieces and additional decor, and get creative.
Tip #5: Plan for Platters and Serveware
If you’re doing a family-style meal where your dishes will sit in the center of the table, then make sure to plan around this when you’re designing your tablescape. Perhaps this means less decor in the center or more spread out taper candles, so you can fit all the food onto your table without making it feel crowded. If you’re going with a buffet-style dinner, however, you can set the platters on a separate table and have room to incorporate more decor on the main table.
Tip #6: Set Your Table the Day Before to Avoid Stress
One easy way to make party planning less hectic? Set your table the night before. Add in the live elements (like flowers and foliage) the morning of, but save yourself unnecessary trouble by styling the majority of your table the day before. This way, you’ll have more time to focus on the day-of stresses like cooking, cleaning, and prepping for guests’ arrival.
Tip #7: Customize Place Cards for Guests
Go the extra mile and personalize the table with custom place cards for everyone! You can seat people together who might not know each other well yet, and spark new conversations with folks you think would get along. Jonathan says that he and Zooey usually sit at opposite ends of the table so they have the opportunity to mingle with everyone and get conversation flowing. It’s whatever feels right to you and your crew!
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Bree Pulver
Bree is the Senior Digital Editor at DrewandJonathan.com. In the past, she’s worked for publications focused on home improvement and sustainable living. Bree’s Pinterest board is filled with cozy textures; vintage patterns; sculptural furniture; and moody, warm-toned colors. She has a degree concentrated in the intersection of writing and architecture, which influences her passion for exploring creative solutions to unusual home layouts and stylish renter-friendly decor. She’s a self-proclaimed pro at finding the best antique furniture in the most unlikely of places (but her cat Blue can certainly back these claims).
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