Adding Last-minute Thanksgiving Decor

If you're like me, Thanksgiving preparations revolve around menu selection and setting the table for a holiday dinner to be shared with family and friends. Last week in A Modern Take on a Traditional Pattern for Thanksgiving I shared the table that I plan to use though I will need to make slight changes since there will be two more joining us.

Today I want to talk about simple ways to add decor that will spread Thanksgiving vibes beyond your table. Whether you will have a house full of family and friends or you'll be heading out to be a guest at someone else's home, these are ideas that you can enjoy now — or they can easily be pulled together at the last minute.

 

 

Pumpkins

I'm crazy about pumpkins and like to use them throughout the fall. Over the years I've collected a variety. But if you're new to decorating for Thanksgiving, inexpensive faux pumpkins are available at many stores or online. Many are currently on sale. Real pumpkins in all shapes and sizes are also available, in grocery stores and plant nurseries and local pumpkin patches. 

 

     

I've grouped them onto the lowest shelf of my glassware hutch in the kitchen. This way they will be out of the way but still visible. As a backdrop I've placed some of my favorite fall design salad plates and interesting candle holders used as pedestals. I have enjoyed decorating here since the kitchen was completely renovated! 

 

An array of pumpkins would also be lovely displayed on your countertops or perhaps a kitchen island depending on your kitchen's layout.

Pumpkins Plus

 

In the adjacent family room I've added chrysanthemums and pumpkins to the mantel. While it may be hard to tell from the photo, the mantel sits 5 1/2 feet above the floor, which makes decorating it a challenge. When sitting you are looking up at it and when standing only the tallest folks are at eye-level. So I kept it simple with bold colorful faux flowers and my largest pumpkins.

 

 Oops! I didn't see Finn's stuffed toy laying there when I took the photo LOL.

    

Silk florals have become ever more realistic in the past few years and can be found at all price points. Judging by the stores I've been in recently there are many fall varieties still available, often at steep discounts.

 

    

I tend to keep the antique cache pots on the mantel throughout the year because they seem to hold the perfect amount of flowers and greenery.

  

Textures

 

For the most impact, you can create a vignette featuring pumpkins in your entryway to greet your guests as they arrive. (I did warn you I'm crazy about pumpkins!) Here I've mounded them on a square ceramic platter that I received from my sister. For added interest make sure to vary the sizes, colors and textures, for example by using ones made of glass, ceramic, resin,  or cloth.

 

 

Three things catch the eye. One is a sisal pheasant perched on top of a pumpkin who seems very interested in the mound before him. The second is that the largest pumpkin is made of woven rattan. And the third is the deep wine color of the pumpkin in back.

 

 

 

Flowers and More Flowers

 

The easiest way to decorate for any season or holiday is to add flowers, greenery or living plants. You probably have side tables or coffee tables in the rooms where your guests will be relaxing that would be perfect for flowers. The other items you have displayed there will add personal interest to the full vignette. Keeping it simple, I've displayed small faux mums and berries in a pretty vase given to me by my MIL. The unassuming flowers in a pretty color combination bring light to a dark corner of my living room.

Across the room is another vase in front of the windows. Because there is more light, I filled this vase with flowers and feathers in neutral tones that unmistakably say "autumn". Moss conceals the stems in the clear vase and three pumpkins were added. I used two vases in the living room because it can be seen from both the foyer and the dining room, but the one with the yellow mums may migrate to another location.

 

Update Existing Decor with a Turkey (or two)

 

The pumpkins in the photo above were taken from a fall vignette I had previously created on a tray filled with leaves, acorns and pumpkins. This is an example of the advice to "shop your house"! 

 

I have been displaying the tray on the buffet in the dining room for several weeks, and it has made an appearance in both the Setting the Table with Art and Thanksgiving table posts.  For Thanksgiving I bracketed the tray with a favorite figural turkey plate, and

                

    

a sassy sisal one! After all, a turkey in some form seems to be indispensable! 

   

The tray itself has had pale flowers added to it and a candle and several pumpkins removed for use elsewhere. By doing so, I think you get a better view of the porcelain pheasant.

 

 

  

Don't Forget Other Rooms where You Might Gather

 

We like to use all the public areas of the house when we have guests over and I plan to serve desserts in the lower level where the bar and mini wine cellar are located. Although there are items that are displayed year-round, I've set a tin container of vibrant mums on the mantel for Thanksgiving. When we finished the lower level we had a gas log fireplace installed, and built the fireplace mantelpiece and side supports ourselves and tiled the surround with dimensional marble tile. One of our best DIYs ever!

You certainly don't have to fill your house with Thanksgiving decor! But you and your guests will enjoy the festive touch of Thanksgiving added here and there, whether you've adapted what may already be in your house or you've added something new. I hope that one of these ideas will inspire you to add some special decor, even at the last minute!