CenterpiecesNo. 8743 · The 2026 edition
Halloween Table Setting with a Lantern Centerpiece
Set a hauntingly charming Halloween table with amber glassware, playful plates, and a lantern centerpiece featuring a raven.
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at betweennapsontheporch.net.
Create a cozy yet spooky tablescape using amber glassware, silly plates, spider cupcake holders repurposed as votives, and a lantern centerpiece with a raven. Finish each napkin with a Blueberry & Thyme or Raspberry & Lime lollipop for a sweet accent.
About this
A Halloween tablescape shared on the blog Between Naps on the Porch, set in the breakfast room with a traditional orange-and-black theme. The table centers on a lantern topped with a black raven and lit by candles, with silly Halloween plates, plaid napkins, pumpkin napkin rings, and amber Noritake stemware. The post also includes practical tips for building holiday tablescapes affordably by layering seasonal salad plates over basic white dishware.
Tips
- Susan's top tablescaping tip: pick up salad plates at Walmart, HomeGoods, Marshalls or TJ Maxx (usually $3-4 each) and layer them atop white or off-white dishware to create an instant holiday table.
- A basic set of white or off-white dishware lets you change the look and feel of the table for each holiday or season just by swapping salad plates.
- The striped glasses were swapped for amber stemware because they felt a little busy; the amber glasses look better but are less practical for little hands.
- The spider cupcake holders were bought at Hobby Lobby a year or two earlier and a dozen were purchased.
- The black crows used on the lantern were inspired by a Pottery Barn porch; the Pottery Barn crows are huge and pricey, so smaller Michaels versions were used instead.
- The Halloween plates were found on eBay a couple of months before the post.
- Blackbirds are a good choice for those who want Halloween decor that isn't too scary.
- The dollar-store glasses with 'Family' and 'Fall' wording have held up in the dishwasher without fading or chipping.
The plan
- Build the table around a basic set of white or off-white dishware, then change the look for each holiday with seasonal salad plates.
- Shop for seasonal salad plates at Walmart, HomeGoods, Marshalls or TJ Maxx, where they typically cost about $3-4 each; Walmart often has the best prices but stock disappears quickly.
- Prefer buying six or eight plates when you can, though some sets are only available in fours.
- Look for dishware branded Better Home and Gardens on the back at Walmart.
- right before Thanksgiving and Christmas — Keep an eye out right before Thanksgiving and Christmas for new seasonal salad plates.
- Have a fun centerpiece ready, using any decoration or collectible already on hand.
Decoration ideas
- A lantern used as the centerpiece with a black raven or crow perched on top, watching over the table.
- Spider cupcake holders reused as candle holders to display fragrant votives; the set was purchased at Hobby Lobby.
- Amber Noritake stemware as the final glassware choice, which suits the mood better than the original practical striped glasses.
- Silly Halloween-themed orange plates (found on eBay in a set of four).
- Pumpkin-shaped napkin rings with plaid napkins, finished with netting over the napkins.
- Candlelight to cast a moody glow; the candles were lit for evening photos.
- A traditional orange-and-black color scheme throughout.
- A black witch's hat element referenced from a previous Halloween table.
- Lollipops tucked into each napkin as an extra decorative touch.
Food & drink
- Blueberry & Thyme lollipops from Marshalls, tucked into each folded napkin as favors.
- Raspberry & Lime lollipops, the other flavor of the same lollipop line.
- Cupcakes; the spider holders were originally bought to display a dozen cupcakes.
- The table would suit a Halloween dessert party.
Activities
- Hosting a Tablescape Thursday link party where participants add permalinks to their own tablescape posts.
- Hosting a Halloween dessert party using this table setting.
More photos
Photos hosted by betweennapsontheporch.net.
