Create a Festive Thanksgiving Table, No Heirloom China Required
Most nights, our dinner table is home to a jumble of mismatched Ikea plates, prep bowls, and the odd terra cotta ceramic platter. But when it comes to Thanksgiving, we break out the big guns—and no, we’re not talking about dusting off Grandma’s fancy china plates or those woven turkey placemats we made in kindergarten. Instead, we rely on minimalist table runners, sleek geometric trivets, and other tabletop essentials to bring a bit of festivity to the biggest meal of the year. These are the luxe-yet-practical accessories securing our tablescape’s place among the greats.
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Photo by Alex Lau1/5Rainbow Candle Holder
Let’s be real: Everyone looks better by candlelight. These delicate, hand-blown glass candlestick holders bring the mood lighting we crave, plus the perfect amount of holiday drama. Buy it: Rainbow Candle Holder, from $55; hawkinsnewyork.com
Photo by Alex Lau2/5Geo Stands
Trying to avoid a repeat of last year’s Great Canned Cranberry Sauce Debate? Deploy these solid brass place card holders to gingerly enforce a seating chart—or display treasured family photos with a metallic twinkle. Buy it: Geo Stands, $88 for set of three; yielddesign.co
Photo by Alex Lau3/5Yves Salt Well
Don’t limit your ceramics stash to platters and mugs. These hand-thrown salt cellars from Workaday Handmade are cute enough to use year-round, but don't forget to scatter a few across your Thanksgiving table to reduce the number of times you’ll have to pass the flaky salt. Buy it: Yves Salt Well, $20; hawkinsnewyork.com
Photo by Alex Lau4/5Modern Silicone Trivets
It’s easy to get overwhelmed juggling dishes fresh from the stove and oven. These geometric trivets will help keep your cool when your sweet potatoes and stuffing finish at the same time. Buy it: Modern Silicone Trivets, $34 for set of two; food52.com
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio5/5Interval of Sevenths Runner
Laying out a striking table runner is the unspoken way to remind your guests that this is not just another meal—it’s Thanksgiving. This one uses a technicolor gradient to bring a subtle hint of color to your table without competing with the cranberry sauce. Buy it: John Derian and Chilewich Interval of Sevenths Runner, $150; chilewich.com
