CenterpiecesNo. 1208 · The 2026 edition
Decorating for Autumn and a Thanksgiving Tablescape
Transform your spooky Halloween decor into a warm, inviting autumn tablescape for Thanksgiving. This guide walks you through swapping out seasonal accents and arranging elegant centerpieces to create
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at betweennapsontheporch.net.
This article provides a step-by-step approach to transitioning your home from Halloween to Thanksgiving. It details how to repurpose existing decor, select appropriate china and flatware, and design beautiful centerpieces using autumnal elements. The guide emphasizes creating a cohesive look that blends the warmth of fall with the spirit of gratitude, offering practical tips for achieving a polished and welcoming tablescape.
You'll need
Tips
- Avoid the flash when photographing tablescapes; use lamps and room lighting instead for prettier, glare-free photos.
- A tripod helps in low lighting, though the host doesn't much like using one.
- BNOTP readers want to know the name of the china, stemware, etc., and where and how long ago it was bought so they can buy it too.
- If an item is no longer available, break the news gently.
The plan
- Feature a before-and-after makeover of a breakfast room hutch, going from its late-October Halloween styling to an autumn/Thanksgiving styling
- each Saturday during the month of December — Post reader-submitted tablescapes each Saturday during the month of December
- Have contributors email 5-6 favorite photos of a tablescape plus a brief description of how it was created or where the inspiration came from
- Have contributors send photos to [email protected] with the subject 'Saturday Tablescapes'
- Photograph without flash if possible; turn on lamps and other room lights instead so pictures don't have glare (a tripod helps in low lighting)
- Include one overall shot of the whole table plus closeups of place settings, the centerpiece and other details
- Include a brief list of the patterns/brands of china, stemware, flatware and centerpiece, plus where and when each item was acquired
- For the Metamorphosis Monday link party: add your permalink (not your general blog address), copy the Met Monday logo button to your sidebar and post, link back to Between Naps on the Porch, and only link up once the post is actually published
Decoration ideas
- Restyle the breakfast room hutch from its Halloween display into a fall/Thanksgiving display
- Set harvest pumpkins on the lower half of the hutch
- Use a large Fitz & Floyd turkey tureen as the dining table centerpiece
- Set the tureen on a platter — the platter under the tureen is part of the look
- Nest the turkey centerpiece in an arrangement of burgundy berries and leaves
- Add autumn leaves to the chandelier for a seasonal touch
- Choose a tablecloth whose colors suit a fall tablescape
- Base each place setting on intricately carved wooden chargers
- Finish each setting with embroidered napkins featuring a leaf design
- Layer Johnson Bros. 'His Majesty' salad plates over the dinner plates
- Dim the lights and let the table glow by candlelight
- Decorate the hutch/buffet with festive seasonal pieces such as decorative turkey tureens and small lamps
Food & drink
- Serve soup in each guest's own little turkey tureen at the place setting
Activities
- Dine by candlelight after dimming the room lights
- Join the Metamorphosis Monday blog party by linking up a before-and-after transformation
- Submit your own tablescape photos for the December 'Saturday Tablescapes' reader feature
More photos
Photos hosted by betweennapsontheporch.net.
