This article is about dining items for vintage Thanksgiving tablescape ideas.
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Thanksgiving really kicks off the holiday season in the United States, and any holiday that centers around a meal is amazing! Not only all the food options, but the Thanksgiving tablescapes! Whether the holiday will be a Friendsgiving with new friends or a multigenerational family gathering, you can create beautiful vintage Thanksgiving table settings with vintage home décor.
Your vintage Thanksgiving table setting is the perfect opportunity for classic table décor.
If you’re looking for Thanksgiving table setting ideas that combine the charm of the past with modern styles, vintage dining items are the answer. They bring a sense of history and elegance, allowing you to create a uniquely stylish and meaningful Thanksgiving table. We recently heard someone say that when you buy something vintage, you bring someone else’s home into yours. Thanksgiving is a great holiday to celebrate their home and yours.
First think about the look: what is your decor aesthetic for your Thanksgiving table setting?
Before thinking about specific items, what is your dominant décor style? This is especially important in the kitchen and dining room where you will be setting up your Thanksgiving décor. If you have modern farmhouse or traditional home decor styles, you can lean into that look. Go with early 20th century dishes, vintage pottery, traditional baskets and clear stemware.
If your home décor is modern or bohemian, you can complement your style with vintage 1990s dining or midcentury modern 1960s décor which is generally more neutral. Mix and match stemware, or blend in colorful glassware like amber gold or autumn green glass. You can still balance with pottery and baskets, but you might choose interesting shapes or colors. For example, baskets painted silver or gold, or even a bright orange might work. Or, go with all white glass, such as milk glass or similar 1920s and depression era items.
You can always bring your Thanksgiving tablescape decor into the ktichen and hallway too. Try items like autumn leaf candleholders and fall leaf glass storage or vintage vases.
Then think about your needs: What items will make your Thanksgiving table setting complete?
Now that you have style ideas, what do you need? If this is your first Thanksgiving as the host, and you need a little bit of everything, a complete vintage dinnerware set could be perfect. If you have time, thrift stores and estate sales are great. And you can mix and match.
If you have your basic dishes, maybe you just want to mix out some of the serveware. This is where serving bowls, relish dishes, and dessert plates can all be fun additions for entertaining. You can also look for special purpose dining items like pie servers, cake stands, nut bowls and napkin rings. These are items that can make holidays feel like special occasions. And if you go for something vintage, you can go formal and traditional or quirky and fun!
Here are must-have dining decor items for vintage Thanksgiving table setting ideas.
Vintage china plates or full dinner settings
Nothing makes a statement on a Thanksgiving tablescape quite like a set of vintage china. Whether it’s a delicate floral china pattern from the 1920s or a bold, geometric design for a set of vintage dishes from the 1960s, vintage china adds a sophisticated charm to your Thanksgiving table setting. Mix vintage styles of similar but distinct patterns, or you can take all the salad plates from one pattern and
Mix and match dishes on your Thanksgiving table setting: Don’t feel restricted to a single pattern or color. One of the biggest trends in vintage dining is mixing and matching different china designs. This not only creates a unique, layered look but also adds depth and interest to your table.
Layer materials, styles and patterns. Pair your vintage china plates with modern charger plates in materials like wood, brass, or even rattan to give it a more contemporary twist while maintaining the vintage essence.
Don’t pass up traditional china like this for your vintage Thanksgiving table setting. Serve on these to next level the pumpkin pie round.
Use centerpieces to provide balance or double down on your style. Vintage plates with intricate designs can double as mini-centerpieces or bases for your centerpiece candles and floral arrangements. Their timeless beauty elevates the overall ambiance. You can use simple pieces like clear vases with flowers to keep a minimalist look. Or, go big with turkey-shaped dishes or bright colors.
Crystal goblets and classic stemware level up your vintage Thanksgiving table setting
Vintage crystal goblets or stemware can transform your Thanksgiving table setting. The weight, cut, and sparkle of real crystal bring a luxurious feel to the table. For Thanksgiving, a set of vintage crystal wine glasses, water goblets, or champagne flutes can complement or contrast with your table setting.
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Pro tip: While it’s fun to mix and match plates, cups and saucers, consider sticking with the same wine glasses. By staying with one type of wine glass, you can actually showcase the mix and match of the dishes. But don’t go overboard with mix and match on dishes and stemware. It can look chaotic!
How to use vintage crystal glasses with your Thanksgiving table:
- Variety of sizes. Use crystal glassware as intended for different drinks, if you want a traditional approach. Goblets for water, smaller glasses for wine, and perhaps a flute for a festive cocktail or sparkling cider. Or mix it up: serve cocktails in vintage champagne flutes and brandy snifters for desserts like custard or ice cream.
- Pair with colored glass. If you want to add a pop of color to your table, consider mixing in vintage colored glassware. Deep autumn hues like amber, green, or cobalt can work beautifully with the sparkle of clear crystal. Don’t forget to think style of the glass as well as color. You can find vintage depression glass with fun colors but a traditional look, for example.
Vintage crystal can complement a traditional Thanksgiving table or be used to contrast a modern decor feel by layering with modern era dinnerware like 1960s or 1990s clean lines.
Using vintage baskets in your fall table décor
No fall décor tablescape is complete without avintage basket to symbolize the harvest. You can go traditional with a round brown basket or something modern that is painted, or not wooden, like a ceramic basket. The intricate, hand-woven design and natural materials, baskets embody the spirit of autumn in a rustic way. This basket can serve as a centerpiece or functional decor that ties together the vintage elements on your Thanksgiving table.
Longaberger baskets are the OG of vintage baskets from America. They are still highly collectible, but you can sometimes get them at garage sales and estate sales at good prices.
As we mentioned above, you might have dinnerware that you love. But even if you want to use your plates and stemware and flatware, you can take advantage of special occasion serveware. When else but a Thanksgiving table setting requires gravy boats, and relish dishes, and bowls for sauces? You can blend in vintage serve ware to make your Thanksgiving table setting distinct from any other dinner of the year.
Vintage serveware can bring a formal feel or a fun vibe.
- Centerpiece: Use the basket as a playful and festive centerpiece. Fill it with autumnal decorations like mini pumpkins, gourds or pinecones. If appropriate, use baskets for food like fresh bread rolls for a touch of functional decor.
- Serving basket: Use the basket as part of your serve ware. Use it to serve fresh bread or dinner rolls. A vintage basket’s textured, natural look harmonizes beautifully with vintage linens, china, and flatware.
- Pair with greenery: Surround the basket with fall foliage or floral arrangements to give it a seasonal touch. The mix of textures—natural woven material and lush greenery—creates a cozy, inviting feel perfect for a Thanksgiving celebration.
Use brightly colored serveware like this orange carnival glass bowl as an accent piece.
Go modern vintage or retro in bright colors. For example, a perfect retro addition to your vintage-inspired Thanksgiving table setting is a 1970s carnival glass bowl. Carnival glass was known for its iridescent sheen and vibrant colors, making it a statement piece for any festive table.
The orange hue of this carnival glass bowl is particularly fitting for Thanksgiving, as it complements the warm, autumnal tones of the season.
Centerpiece for vintage Thanksgiving table accent: The rich orange color of a carnival glass bowl can serve as a stunning centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. Fill it with seasonal fruits, pinecones, or small decorative pumpkins to create a warm and inviting focal point.
Vintage style serving: A vintage bowl isn’t just for decoration—use it to serve side dishes like cranberry sauce or a fall-inspired salad. Its vibrant color and vintage charm will add a unique touch to your meal presentation.
Think beyond drinks: Thanksgiving presents an opportunity to use glass serving ware more than most occasions. Use glass nut bowls, relish bowls, sauce dishes or gravy boat alternatives. These yellow depression glass sherbert bowls are perfect for ice cream.
Contrast glass with softer textures in your vintage Thanksgiving tablescape: Pair the smooth, reflective surface of the carnival glass with softer textures, such as vintage linen tablecloths or napkins, to create a visually rich and balanced table setting.
Vintage Fall-Themed Mixing Bowls
Vintage fall-themed mixing bowls and are not only a charming addition to your kitchen but can also play a key role in your Thanksgiving table setting. With their warm, autumnal colors and nostalgic floral patterns, they evoke the feeling of fall while staying true to vintage aesthetics. Whether you use them for meal prep in the kitchen or as part of your Thanksgiving display, these bowls bring both beauty and practicality to your holiday decor.
Some of these vintage autumn harvest kitchen bowls are also oven safe, and can be used for oven to table meal prep. Cook and serve your sweet potato casserole or rice dressing in bowls like these
How to Incorporate Vintage Mixing Bowls:
- As Serving Bowls: These vintage mixing bowls can easily transition from the kitchen to the dining table. Use them to serve side dishes such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, or salads. Their autumnal design complements the Thanksgiving season, enhancing the visual appeal of your table.
- For Display: Arrange these bowls along a kitchen counter with fall-inspired decor items, such as pumpkins, candles, or floral centerpieces, to create a beautiful, cohesive Thanksgiving table setting. Their earthy tones will match well with other vintage tableware, adding warmth to your tablescape.
- Kitchen to Table: These bowls can also be used as vintage Thanksgiving bowls for meal prep and bring directly to your Thanksgiving table, providing a seamless connection between the kitchen and dining experience. Their vintage charm adds a homey touch to your meal presentation. Use them also for popcorn (to eat or string for the Christmas tree), or to hold additional serveware.
The versatility of these bowls allows them to serve both as functional kitchen tools and decorative elements, making them a valuable addition to your vintage Thanksgiving collection. Whether you’re using them to mix ingredients or showcase seasonal dishes, their timeless appeal enhances both your kitchen and dining experience.
Bonus tips for vintage Thanksgiving table
Now that you have your vintage items in place, here are a few extra tips to help you create the perfect vintage Thanksgiving tablescapes:
- Centerpiece with meaning: Use family heirlooms, like an old serving bowl, as part of your centerpiece. Fill it with seasonal fruits, vegetables, or flowers.
- Incorporate nature: Pair your vintage pieces with natural elements like wood chargers, pinecones, or seasonal produce such as pumpkins and gourds.
- Play with colors: Thanksgiving is a time for warm, earthy tones. Think of vintage pieces in shades of cream, gold, burgundy, and forest green to complement the fall season.
- Place cards with a twist: Use vintage postcards or old book pages to create unique, personalized place cards for each guest. This adds a literary and nostalgic touch to the table.
- Vintage serving dishes: Use vintage serving platters, tureens, and gravy boats to serve your Thanksgiving feast. They’ll not only be functional but also add to the cohesive vintage look of your table setting.
Old is the new, new. Buy vintage for your Thanksgiving table decor.
Incorporating vintage items into your Thanksgiving table setting is a beautiful way to blend history, tradition, and sustainability into your celebration. Whether you’re using delicate vintage china, sparkling crystal goblets, or antique candleholders, each piece adds a layer of charm and elegance that can’t be replicated by modern decor. By combining these vintage elements with thoughtful Thanksgiving table setting ideas, you’ll create a table that’s not only visually stunning but also filled with stories and memories.
Using vintage items also supports sustainability by giving new life to old pieces that might otherwise be discarded. Upcycled vintage decor is not only environmentally friendly, but it also adds a unique character that can’t be replicated by modern, mass-produced items.
So this Thanksgiving, take the opportunity to find estate sale bargains, thrift stores, and your own family collections for those perfect vintage finds that will make your table setting truly special.
Happy Thanksgiving, and happy decorating!
This article is about vintage decor items you can use for a vintage Thanksgiving tablescape.
Be sure to read about how to find great vintage Christmas decor at estate sales.
If you want general tips about how professional flippers (like us!) get estate sale bargains, read this!
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