A Perfect Thanksgiving Table

By Susan M. Keenan

Unlike many other holidays, Thanksgiving arrives in what seems like a matter of minutes, and although it leaves just as quickly, a feeling of contentment and inner peace remains. Warm, fall colors grace our table as warm, delicious foods grace our bellies.

Special decorations adorn the table, carefully covered in the finest tablecloth in patterns of gold on gold, autumn colored leaves, rustic colored plaid, or off-white Quaker lace. A family of pumpkins takes the center stage in a delightful array as they sit in watch of the festivities. The festivities begin early in the morning as we wait and watch for the arrival of Santa Claus in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and they end late in the day as we fall asleep on the sofa pretending to watch television along with everyone else.

We tell stories about the time when our brother tried so hard to grab the wishbone that he fell head first into the bowl of mashed potatoes. Nonetheless, no one went hungry simply because this is one meal where you can find more food on the dinner menu than in the refrigerator itself. It is also one meal where you can find more berries, cherries, and grapes taking roost on the table along with the rest of the bounty that is ever so tempting but oh so much.

This is a day of stuffing yourself in a manner reminiscent of stuffing the turkey. It is a day of trying to gauge just how much food we can pile on our plate so that we can eat it, and of trying to find a way to sneak what we can't eat onto our sibling's plate without being noticed. It is a day of trying to forget how many times we fought over the turkey's tail until we finally realized what it was and just where it sat on the turkey.

No matter how many Thanksgiving dinners we sit through, we always look forward to this time of camaraderie filled with new tentative beginnings, old treasured memories, and plenty of sumptuous food. The home is full of aromatic smells tempting us even before it's time to give thanks for all that we have to be grateful for on this day. As we glance at the table settings to find our places, we can't help but be reminded of those who came before us and shared one such bountiful feast with their friends and family.

There are no long weeks of agonizing over what mom or dad has hidden in the closet for Christmas morning to endure. There are no endless sessions writing out cards to greet relatives that we only meet with pen and paper. There are no endless waits in line at overcrowded and overly warm stores just to purchase gifts that will most likely be returned the following month.

Instead, there's simply the decorating of the perfect Thanksgiving table by selecting a theme and sticking with it. We set out tableware in hues of muted gold, glowing orange, earthy brown, warm russet, and natural red to grace the table in a medley of dazzling fall grandeur. The salt and pepper shakers pose a commanding presence with their lifelike appearance in the image of pilgrims, Indians, pumpkins, or turkeys. The glassware is crystal clear, allowing the other colors to reflect from their brightness. The best silverware graces the table with its elegant appearance.

We add freshly washed napkins to match this year's selection of a tablecloth, complete with cute napkin rings in the likeness of turkeys, pumpkins, or pilgrims. The napkins are intricately folded to resemble turkeys or they are carefully folded to form a creative pouch for our silverware setting. Napkins with a busy pattern add a touch of pizzazz to an elegant yet simply designed tablecloth, whereas solidly colored napkins tone down an already busy table.

Perhaps personalized placemats are used to identify seating arrangements or simply to show a sign of affection. Again, warm colors continue the theme of autumn with placemat selection. Additionally, matching placemats and napkins can add a unique look to the table décor.

With a solid color tablecloth, so many more options exist for decorating the remainder of the table. A patterned tablecloth that employs a lighter version of a color on a darker version of a color presents a nice appearance while maintaining some neutrality.

Place cards can be used if desired and provide an excellent way to add a little zest to the table. Design your own either on the computer or by hand. Store bought varieties are very attractive and are available in a wide variety of designs.

The Thanksgiving dinner table centerpiece is typically the eye catcher of the day - after the turkey, of course. A bevy of candles in different sizes and in fall colors makes an attractive centerpiece. A crystal bowl of fresh fruit or a platter draped in grapes and filled with colorful baby pumpkins and gourds is also an excellent choice.

© Doityourself.com 2006