I am always so inspired by Thanksgiving celebrations. Being British, I never grew up with the tradition of Thanksgiving. But I always loved the concept. You get to bring the family together before the crazy rush of the end of year and share traditions and most importantly, a good meal.
This is certainly a time of year when we enjoy entertaining. Al fresco dining is now finished until next year. With the lower temperatures, we are lighting fires inside and dining in front of the fireplace, with flames crackling and lending a warm glow to the room.
With any good meal, comes a beautiful table. Laying a table is all about saying, “Welcome, we are glad you are here. Sit down, make yourself comfortable, we have a lovely meal to eat and plenty of time to enjoy it.”
I put together these photos using items that are currently in the MFCH Boutique. As you may know we carry a mix of old and new products from France, because that is how most French homes are curated, with a careful balance between antique and new.
I’d love to know how you decorate your holiday tables, be it for a cosy dinner for four with just a couple of friends, or a long busy family table with dishes being passed in all directions. Do you place candles on the table, or do you prefer lights around the rooms? Do you serve each plate individually and bring it to the table, or are their larger dishes in the centre that everyone is served from?
This fall we’ll be starting a new series of tablescape videos, during which I’ll visit other people, and talk with them about how they lay their tables and how they entertain. I’ll film in chateaux, in small country cottages and many places in between, and I can hardly wait to bring you the first edition in November.
And if you are intereted in any of the items on ths table, just click here to see our Thanksgiving Table collection
18 comments
I can’t read this article on my phone because the pop up box won’t go away. It would be helpful if you either made the little X to close it bigger, or set it up so that a person can just touch/click the screen outside the box to make it go away.
I love to set the table before having family or friends over. Sometimes I use a tablecloth, at other times I put the plates on the bare wood with a runner in the centre. We usually serve the food family style and pass the serving dishes around the table. I love candles on the table, usually smaller votives, and always, always, cloth napkins. Although we celebrated Thanksgiving in early October here in Canada, setting a fall table until the Christmas season is fun to do.
I am very much looking forward to this series on tablescapes.
Please can you tell me where the pretty floral tablecloth in these Thanksgiving pictures is from ?
Many thanks, Lois Howl
Because there are 12-16 people here, I serve buffet style and everyone gets what they like best. I use beautiful tablecloths, cloth napkins, candles and some sort of low floral arrangement that I create every year, sometimes with driftwood pieces, sometimes with vintage bottles, sometimes with pumpkins, gourds, artichokes, pomegranate…
Appetizers are small, also served buffet style. I do serve dessert, usually three different pies, or a roll up cake and pies. Then everyone sits and talks, not just during the meal but hours after. Sometimes they stay long enough to eat a sandwich on a homemade roll! Everyone takes home a plate for the next day.
It’s exhausting and fun and I would not change a single thing about it!
Absolutely one of my favorites…tablescapes!! Ready!! franki
Could you tell me about the tablecloth? Fabric? It’s absolutely beautiful!
Will look forward to your tablescape videos. The one you did a while back, with the two women in their shop in Paris, about table manners was delightful, and very informative.
I have the same question as Lois has where can we buy the tablecloth as on your Thanksgiving table?
Inspirational. The photography is wonderful. I love the warm autumn colours. Happy Thanksgiving.
Sharon, I can’t wait to see the tablescape videos. I’m sure to get some great idea from each one. The above table is so inviting – I can envision my own family sitting around it, enjoying a good meal, good wine and good times spent together!
Beautiful table! Where can I buy the tablecloth? Thank you,
Oh how fun! I love tablescapes, and festive dinners, —Thanksgiving has to be just about the best holiday ever. Thank you for sharing. Those dahlias are gorgeous, by the way!
Sharon you are so talented in each shoot you do. I love your blog, books, and magazine. I am in CA but I can dream in France. Thank you. Happy Holiday to you and yours.
Yes all your photos too!
Sharon,
Thank you for your post, I always enjoy your photos, looking forward to your videos of table settings.
Also, I enjoy your magazine, wonderful articles and beautiful photography.
Lucy
I love to see how other people set their tables. I like to use colorful glasses, napkins, candles and twinkle lights with my “best” set of Christmas dishes. All done in cranberry, navy, gold chargers and flowers. Thank you for thinking of such creative ideas.
Do you have a link for the lovely small and large green leaf dishes? Such a lovely table and I LOVE pink!
The table setting is very beautiful, thank you for sharing you’re ideas
What a beautiful Thanksgiving tables cape! Like a few other people, I would love to know where I can buy a tablecloth like the one you feature! I love it!