Thanksgiving Table Decorations

Every year on Thanksgiving families gather round the table to share in a bountiful feast and to give thanks for all they are blessed with. For that reason, your Thanksgiving table deserves a bit more attention; don't you think?

Read on for four simple tablescape ideas that still make a statement and offer a festive feel.

Autumn Leaf Table Runner

Use multicolored autumn leaves and clear cellophane to make a table runner that is not only gorgeous but functional as well!

An "Autumn Leaf Table Runner" is easy to make, unexpected and adds a bit the season to your tabletop. It also doubles as a "hot plate" for all of those delicious vegetable casseroles you'll be putting on the table.

To Recreate:

Start with a piece of clear cellophane cut to size.

Gather leaves or buy preserved leaves at a craft store. Cut the leaves from the branches right and trim the stem from the bottom of the leaf. If the leaves are a little wrinkled you can iron them - it looks better if the leaves lay flat.

Cover your work surface with newspaper and place your piece of cellophane on top.

Have you leaves ready and spray half of the cellophane with Tack 2000 spray adhesive.

Simply place the leaves onto the cello one at a time starting at the edge and overlapping the previously placed leaf.

Spray the other half of the cello and finish adding leaves.

Mum and Filbert Centerpieces

Small arrangements of flowers and nuts can be more convenient than one large centerpiece.

I prefer to use multiple smaller floral accents as opposed to one large centerpiece since you can easily move the arrangements around the table as the food is added.

These arrangements couldn't be easier to do.

To Recreate:

I chose small square and tall cylinder glass vases that I filled with filberts (hazel nuts).

Fill the vessels with water and top off with a single mum - in this case a copper disbud. I love the monochromatic look and the use of various textures.

The Finishing Touch - Pear Place Settings

Top your beautiful table with these pear place settings at each guest's seat. Not only will they identify your seating arrangement, they also work for what I call "tabletop art".

To Recreate:

Starting with amber glass plates that I picked up at a discount price, all it took was a curvaceous bosc pear, a sprig of pyracantha berries, a tiny bundle of millet, and a gold trimmed place card to create what I like to call "tabletop art."

Since pears are in the height of their season right now, you can find them at any local grocery store or supermarket.

Happy Thanksgiving!