Are you looking to spruce up your Thanksgiving table this year? Creating place settings really gives that finishing touch! Here are 40+ farmhouse Thanksgiving place setting ideas + tips!
A Place for Everyone at Thanksgiving
When I was growing up, we really didn’t do formal Thanksgivings. By that I mean, we didn’t sit around a table that was decorated and had a place for everyone.
First, we usually had too many people – we were always inviting stragglers (which I love), so there’s no way we would have all fit around the table.
Second, we were usually the casual kind – a big, Italian family, a little bit crazy and a lot a bit loud. So, we didn’t really have those Martha Stewart holidays at our house.
However, my first Thanksgiving with my husband’s family – it was small and intimate, and we all sat around the table together.
And while I loved my Thanksgivings growing up, this appealed to me so much, too. One isn’t better than the other, for sure.
But there is something special about going to a table, knowing a space has been especially prepared for you.
Items to Include in a Place Setting
This post is going to focus on the place settings, not the tablescapes or centerpieces. My guess is that you may have already taken care of that with your fall decor. In my own opinion, I think tablescape ideas deserve their own post. Not only that, I’m betting there’s a good chance that beautiful tablescapes will need to be swept away to make room for the food.
There’s a lot of room to express your style and be creative when arranging a place setting. There are a few things you want to have in place to really nail this, and you can use your own taste in doing so.
1| Place Setting Anchor or Placemat
You want something to anchor your plate.
2| Plates and Glasses
This can be fancy or informal as you like. If you can color coordinate the plates with the rest of your decor, that definitely is a bonus!
3| Napkins and utensils
Usually, this will include some kind of napkin ring as well.
4| Embellishments
That can be a name card, a little favor, a ‘What I’m Thankful for’ sheet, a game or activity, a menu, a snack, a piece of fruit or just another printable. You can add some natural decor like pumpkins and pine cones.
Those are the essentials, so let’s talk about how we can doctor them up.
Pro-Tips and Trends for Place Settings
Below, you’ll definitely see some trends in arranging place settings. These are certain looks or elements that are popular these days, and it also includes some creative ways to put them together.
Plate Setting Anchors
Try to think beyond your typical fabric placemats for something to anchor the place setting (although they are perfect to use also!).
You can use butcher paper with pens for writing or decorating, dish towels, tea towels, wood slices… lots of room to be creative here!
Napkin Ties
You’ll see a lot of napkins tied up with some floral piece in it. You can buy or use traditional napkins rings and attach a little trinket to it.
Or, you can even just tie the napkins up with twine, jute string, raffia, ribbon, burlap – many possibilities – with or without utensils tucked in.
Floral Inserts
For the floral piece, some popular choices this season are greens – think rosemary sprigs, pine, juniper stems – dried flowers, faux berries, cinnamon sticks, wheat stalks, cotton stems, and even twigs.
Thanksgiving is perfect for natural decor.
Name Tag Displays
If you’re going with name tags, there are some creative ways to display them. Of course, you can attach them to the napkin ring holder, and that works beautifully.
You can also ‘hang’ them on a small piece of decor like a pumpkin or an apple or pear or another piece of self-standing fruit with a stem.
Clothespins and pine cones are also fun ways to display name cards as well.
Thanksgiving Place Settings For Kids
Depending on your space, kids may or may not be at your table. Some people feel strongly about including kids at the table, others are more flexible.
If you keep them at the table, consider having a more ‘fun’ place setting for kids – a placemat they can draw on, a word search, or little paper sack of Thanksgiving M&Ms to keep them busy, especially in between courses.
If you opt for the ‘kids table,’ make it a fun space for them!
You can use the same place settings as the main table but modify it (as in paper and plastic dishes), so they feel special, too. You can cover the table in butcher paper and leave pencils or markers out for them to draw.
You can also have some Thanksgiving Activities like a turkey craft or word searches. Check out the end of this post for 13 free printables you can use for kids at the Thanksgiving kids tables!
40+ Rustic Farmhouse Thanksgiving Place Settings for the Perfect Holiday Touch
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1| from Centsational Style
Photo Credit:centsationalstyle.com
I love this beautiful place setting! Very simple with a clothespin, some faux berries, and a name card, this is easy and striking!
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from A Hundred Affections (2023)
Photo Credit:ahundredaffections.com
This place setting if from a harvest-themed Thanksgiving tablescape. A layered look with a mix of disposable items and things to put inthe dishwasher! A black ribbon completes the look to show that party products are totally OK for a sit-down Thanksgiving dinner! Free printable place cards in both pumpkin and fall floral designs available!
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2| from Oh My! Creative
Photo Credit:www.ohmy-creative.com
This is a super-easy place setting to incorporate also! Even without glitter, this is a festive way to arrange the table! Glitter top pumpkin place cards add a super-striking effect!
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3| Burlap & Glitter
Photo Credit:typicallysimple.com
I love the farmhouse look for this place setting! The burlap square and leaf shape are so easy, even for a beginner! This is a low-stress project!
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4| from Bless'er House
Photo Credit:www.blesserhouse.com
This is a beautiful place setting that includes an area to list what each person is thankful for! You can get the free printable by heading over to the post. And eucalyptus branches are definitely a favorite this year!
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from Yummy Mummy Kitchen
Photo Credit:www.yummymummykitchen.com
Oh, I love the ease of this one! Some jute string and a sprig of greens! Very simply elegant!
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from Living with Landyn
Photo Credit:www.livingwithlandyn.com
This is another take a very simple, very elegant place settings with some natural greens and twine. The neutral colored placemat along with the wood circle under the plate adds a rustic touch.
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from Finding Home Farms
Photo Credit:findinghomefarms.com
This is another beautiful rustic place setting! I love the dishtowel under the plate (I'm sure that's handy as napkin!) and the pop of color with lavender sprig. You can also see how the table is simple and elegant as well! Coordinates perfectly!
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from On Sutton Place
Photo Credit:www.onsuttonplace.com
This is a unique take on the setting using fresh fruit! There are many options you can use here, including pears, apples and oranges if they have the leaves and stems. Anything with a stem could be a great option!
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from A Hundred Affections
Photo Credit:ahundredaffections.com
This is a simple, modern farmhouse table that has colored pumpkins running through the middle, in navy, copper, and mustard, and with printable name cards. You can grab those for free, in either pine cone or pumpkin designs!
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from Dress Cori Lynn
Photo Credit:dresscorilynn.com
While twine or jute string is a typical farmhouse look, so are stripes! I love this bold striped ribbon tying the utensil together. And don't miss that pumpkin covered with book paper in the background!
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from Spoon Fork Bacon
Photo Credit:www.spoonforkbacon.com
This is another real easy name card but has a real striking effect! A sprig of rosemary poked through the card on a linen napkin. So pretty!
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from The Cofran Home
Photo Credit:thecofranhome.com
Oh, I love cinnamon sticks for just about any occasion, but this is perfect for Thanksgiving! I'm sure that table smells amazing! This looks complex but it's another real easy one! And those faux berries are wonderful, transitional decor for the whole fall/winter season!
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from Camille Styles
Photo Credit:camillestyles.com
These rosemary wreaths are just gorgeous! Name tags tied on with bakers twine, set on a linen napkin is all you need!
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from Reuse Grow Enjoy
Photo Credit:reusegrowenjoy.com
This definitely carries the rustic farmhouse look! This is a simple DIY napkin ring made of burlap ribbon, twine, a mini-clothes pin, and a scrap of brown paper. Love the rustic look!
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from Bloom Designs
Photo Credit:bloomdesignsonline.com
If you are looking for simple and fast, this is it! This is an editable printable where you can insert all the names you need! Just print out and wrap. Love it!
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from Giggles Galore
Photo Credit:gigglesgalore.net
This whole look is amazing! If you can mimic it, you are my hero! There are so many details for a special Thanksgiving on the site, especially if you have a Cricut machine!
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from Make it and Love It
Photo Credit:makeit-loveit.com
These are really easy to make! With a few simple embellishments, it really puts those extra touches for an impressive look!
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from Ella Claire Inspired and Co.
Photo Credit:www.ellaclaireinspired.com
This is a beautifully simple place setting that comes with a free printable placemat! The pencil slipped in with the utensils is an adorable touch! Click over to get yours!
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from Sustain My Craft Habit
Photo Credit:sustainmycrafthabit.com
If you are looking for just a simple touch to dress up your table without a lot of props involved, this place card is perfect! You can get a free printable watercolor pumpkin printable on the site!
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from In My Own Style
Photo Credit:inmyownstyle.com
These are super-fun place cards made from paper bags! The leaf adds the fall inspiration and the name card slides right in! Love it!
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from A Hundred Affections (rustic style)
Photo Credit:ahundredaffections.com
This is another tablescape I created for Thanksgiving with a more rustic, vintage feel - plaid napkins, richer autumn colors, more harvest elements. Each place setting has a name tag that matched the table sign in the centerpiece (you can get those for free as well!).
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from Cathie Filian
Photo Credit:cathiefilian.blogspot.com
These are scissor cut fall leaves that also make a super-cute place card setting! This is a fun way to add some color to your table as well!
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from Home in the Country
Photo Credit:homeinthecountry.wordpress.com
I love the simplicity of just some sticks, faux berries, wrapped with jute string. Especially beautiful if you're eco-friendly!
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From My So-Called Crafty Life
Photo Credit:www.mysocalledcraftylife.com
Oh, I just love this one! This Thanksgiving Word Search is a great idea to keep the guests occupied during courses or just to settle down the kiddos. Genius! And it looks amazing!
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from BHG
Photo Credit:www.bhg.com
This is as rustic as it gets! Made from pine cones and birch, this place setting name tag has a perfect outdoor look!
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Mother Huddle via B. Lovely Events
Photo Credit:blovelyevents.com
I love the rich colors in this one! The pine cones paired with the orange linen napkin and dark brown placemat makes a striking setting!
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from The Every Girl
Photo Credit:theeverygirl.com
Wheat is another fall and Thanksgiving natural element that sometimes gets overlooked and underused! But it's a simple but elegant effect, especially when it's joined with a menu1
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from A Night Owl Blog
Photo Credit:www.anightowlblog.com
This is such a fun and colorful addition to your Thanksgiving table! Adding some paint to a burlap sack is a simple project but takes the farmhouse look up a few notches!
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from House on Longwood Lane
Photo Credit:www.houseonlongwoodlane.com
Yes, you absolutely can use oranges on a Thanksgiving table! We generally think of summer, but the color is idea for a fall tablescape! And they make a sweet favor at each place setting.
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from The Tony Townie
Photo Credit:www.thetonytownie.com
If you're looking for rich fall colors, this is the one! With a plaid placemat and deep-colored faux/dried flowers, this one is stunning.
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from Urban Alpha Co.
Photo Credit:sdtac.co
Inside this brown paper is a piece of fruit, which makes a super-cute place setting. You can also achieve the same look with a mini brown-paper-bag filled with some snacks like candy corn or trail mix, too!
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from Vintage House
Photo Credit:vintage-house.blogspot.com
If you like cinnamon sticks, this is another great option! Paired with juniper greens and jute string, it looks just perfect for a rustic setting, and it will smell amazing, too!
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from Almost Makes Perfect
Photo Credit:almostmakesperfect.com
These DIY turkey feather place cards are super-fun and super-festive! They are way easier to make than they look! Click over to see the tutorial! If you happen to save your wine corks, this is a great use for them!
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from Sanctuary Home Decor
Photo Credit:sanctuaryhomedecor.com
This one is just spectactular! I love the dining ware, the warm colors, the copper... this is just lovely!
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from Craving Some Creativity
Photo Credit:www.cravingsomecreativity.com
This table is beautiful and elegant, with gorgeous pops of autumn colors. The 'thankful' tag used to tie together the fall florals on the plate is available for free!
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from A Cherished Bliss
Photo Credit:cherishedbliss.com
I love this table because it has so many fall elements that carry over beautifully to Thanksgiving - apples, scarves, leaves, pine cones... so very warm, cozy, and inviting.
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Thanksgiving Table Setting
Photo Credit:www.houseofharper.com
Kraft paper is a creative idea for a table runner - and there is no shortage of elegance on this table. The personalized pumpkins at each seat, with a browed magnolia leaf, just looks stunning.
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from Lemon Thistle
Photo Credit:www.lemonthistle.com
I love, love, love this idea - it's especially wonderful if you want to forego a complicated place setting display and you're leaning a little more buffet style. Of course, a little artistic talent helps, but there are hacks you can use to get around that!
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from Mountain Modern Life
Photo Credit:mountainmodernlife.com
This is a wonderful idea if you lean away from traditional oranges and reds for fall and Thanksgiving decor. The green and yellow complement more neutral decor and the paper book pumpkins each seat are just the perfect touch.
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from Lia Griffith
Photo Credit:liagriffith.com
This entire table is just stunning. Here you see the rich plum dahlia with a personalized leaf at each place setting. Be sure to check out the stunning tree she has as a centerpiece!
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Fall Tablescape Tour
Photo Credit:www.craftberrybush.com
If you love neutrals, this is especially beautiful for Thanksgiving. And don't miss the sheet music placemat - an elegant touch!
Stress-Reducing Tips for Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving can definitely require a lot of work, but these are family memories in the making. You can’t put a price on that! But it does take some preparation. Here are a few things that I found helpful:
Plan Ahead
I know, I know. So obvious, but I’m a last-minute-Lucy sometimes, and it multiplies my stress exponentially. If you plan little by little, something here, something there in a few minutes, it’s a lot less stressful!
As soon as Halloween is over, that’s a good time to start planning.
Kitchen Organization
I’m a hot mess in the kitchen, usually when it comes to timing the food. Thanksgiving is even worse – I’m hot, sweaty, and frantic.
To that end, I decided to plan a little better for this by making a Thanksgiving Menu Planning Sheet. It’s just a place to mark down all the food, the time in and out of the oven, so you can be a little more organizing serving your feast!
If you need a little help in that area, too, you can grab it for free to help ease some of the stress.
Delegate
Last year, I assigned the turkey to my husband, asked my mother-in-law to bring an appetizer, side, and dessert (you can spread that out over other family members – we had a small gathering!), and that definitely lowered the stress!
Get your kids involved – in making desserts, coming up with craft ideas, even putting together the place settings and name cards.
We like to do it all ourselves, but we barely enjoy the day that way. Ask for help!
Always a Reason to Be Thankful – at Thanksgiving and All Year
I hope you’ve been inspired to have the best Thanksgiving ever!
I know we focus on the planning, the beautiful place settings, and delicious food, but the most important part of the day is taking a moment to be thankful and realize all the blessings God has given us.
And mostly at the top of that list is the people you love and care about at the table sitting around your table.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment!
PS – If you’re also looking for some delicious desserts (healthy ones, too) to serve at Thanksgiving, take a look at these healthy and delicious apple desserts and pumpkin desserts!
