Thanksgiving Table Ideas: Setting a Beautiful Holiday Table

Thanksgiving is the one meal of the year when the table itself becomes part of the celebration. This year the holiday falls on Thursday, November 26 – plenty of time to plan a table your family will remember. Here are our favorite Thanksgiving table ideas, from the turkey platter to the last napkin ring.

1. Start with a Statement Turkey Platter

The platter is the star of the Thanksgiving table, so choose one worthy of the moment. Herend's turkey platters are hand-painted porcelain from Herend, Hungary, finished with 24k gold accents – heirlooms that come out every November.

Herend Rothschild Bird Turkey Platter

Herend's Rothschild Bird pattern, hand-painted on a generous 18 x 14.5 in platter. It matches the Rothschild Bird gravy boat below, and the rest of the Rothschild Bird collection.

Herend Queen Victoria Turkey Platter

The same 18 x 14.5 in platter in the Queen Victoria pattern – a natural fit for a table set with Queen Victoria dinnerware.

Herend Gwendolyn Turkey Platter

An 18.5 x 14 in platter in the Gwendolyn pattern, hand-painted and finished with 24k gold accents.

2. Layer Autumn Color at Every Place Setting

A charger under the dinner plate instantly makes the table feel festive. Herend's Silk Ribbon – Pumpkin pattern brings warm autumn color to every place setting.

Herend Silk Ribbon – Pumpkin Charger

A 12 in hand-painted porcelain charger to anchor each place setting. Pair it with the matching 11 in service plate and 8.25 in dessert plate.

Herend Dessert Plate – Turkey

Serve the pie on something special: an 8.25 in hand-painted porcelain dessert plate with 24k gold accents. Mix it with its autumn companion, the Pumpkin dessert plate.

3. Guide Your Guests with Place Cards

Place cards make every guest feel expected – and they end the where-do-I-sit shuffle before it starts. See all of our place card holders.

Herend Acorn Place Card Holder

A tiny hand-painted porcelain acorn, just 1.75 in long, in your choice of nine fishnet colors – made for an autumn table. For a leafy look, choose the Herend Leaf Place Card Holder, also in nine colors.

Christofle Perles Place Card Holders, Set of 2

Silver-plated place card holders in Christofle's Perles pattern, supplied with 8 ivory cards – a balance of heritage and modernity that works for every holiday of the year.

4. A Centerpiece with Harvest Motifs

Keep centerpieces low so guests can see each other across the table, and let harvest motifs – pumpkins, acorns and autumn leaves – set the mood. More ideas in our fall home decor.

Michael Aram Autumn Leaf Centerpiece

A hand-finished metal centerpiece bowl inspired by autumn leaves, handcrafted in the Michael Aram workshops. Fill it with gourds, fruit or seasonal flowers.

Michael Aram Pumpkin Bowl

A handcrafted Michael Aram bowl in the shape of the season's favorite gourd – lovely for cranberry sauce, nuts or candies.

Herend Pumpkin Figurine

Scatter a few hand-painted porcelain pumpkins, 2.75 in tall, down the center of the table – in raspberry, butterscotch, rust-gold or rust.

Herend Tom Turkey Figurine

A proud little turkey, hand-painted in butterscotch, rust, chocolate or blue. For a bigger statement, see the 4.5 in Herend Turkey Figurine.

5. Pass the Gravy in Style

Herend Rothschild Bird Gravy Boat with Fixed Stand

The fixed stand keeps drips off the tablecloth as the gravy makes its way around the table – and it matches the Rothschild Bird turkey platter. Browse all of our gravy boats.

Match Pewter Gravy Boat

Hand-cast in northern Italy from food-safe pewter, in small or medium.

6. Finishing Touches: Napkin Rings and Candlelight

Christofle Perles Napkin Rings, Set of 2

Like a precious necklace, the silver-plated Perles pattern dresses up a simple linen napkin. More styles in our napkin rings.

Herend Queen Victoria Napkin Ring

A 2.25 in hand-painted porcelain napkin ring to complete a Queen Victoria table.

Christofle Babylone Candlestick

A silver-plated candlestick with a delicate braid, supplied with an odorless ivory candle – ideal at the dinner table, where scent would compete with the food.

More Thanksgiving Table Tips

• Set the table the day before, so Thursday is about cooking and family.
• Keep centerpieces below eye level so conversation flows across the table.
• Use unscented candles at the table; save scented ones for the entryway or powder room.
• Need a refresher on where the forks go? See our guide on how to set a table.

Save your favorites: open any piece and tap the ♡ to add it to your Wishlist, then share it with whoever is hosting this year.

Find more serving pieces for the holiday in our Thanksgiving serving pieces collection.