Elevate Your Friendsgiving Experience with a Modern Twist: Unconventional Colors, Glamorous Accents, and the Art of Gratitude Redefined
by Stefanie Michaels
As I settled into a cozy seat surrounded by the warmth of friendship, the air filled with laughter and the enticing aroma of a Thanksgiving feast. Friendsgiving, a cherished tradition that transcends the boundaries of familial ties, holds a special place in my heart. In this intimate gathering, where the clinking of glasses harmonizes with the joyous chatter, the true essence of gratitude unfolds.
Sharing this holiday with friends is not merely a festive occasion but a heartfelt celebration of the bonds that tie us together. As we collectively express gratitude for the moments we’ve shared, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the unwavering support that defines our friendship, the significance of Friendsgiving becomes abundantly clear.
This communal expression of thanks goes beyond the traditional Thanksgiving table and weaves a tapestry of memories and appreciation that transforms a simple gathering into a profound testament to the power of friendship.
This Thanksgiving, I decided to embark on a creative journey to design a table that breaks away from the conventional color palette, injecting a fresh and distinctive vibe into the festivities. Stepping away from the traditional warm hues of autumn, I’ve chosen a modern and unexpected color scheme that blends deep jewel tones with subtle accents meant to incorporate vintage and modern aspects.
Picture a table adorned with emerald greens and regal sapphire blues. The table linens, decorated with a baroque pattern, provided a touch of elegance while chinoiserie plates melded with a tad of home-spun glamour.
This departure from tradition adds a contemporary twist to the Thanksgiving ambiance. It encourages a reimagining of the holiday, inviting guests to appreciate the beauty in embracing change and fostering a sense of novelty amidst the familiar spirit of gratitude.
Here’s how I set the table for this year’s Thanksgiving:
I’m not a fan of spending a ton of money on a one day event and I search online sources, Finding an expensive item means sourcing them elsewhere less expensive. A “cheaper chic” version with the idea of the look.
Table Cloth: This is a similar pattern of a baroque motif, that I had seen at a fabric shop–$500 a yard upholstery fabric was not in my budget and I needed 4 yards due to the size of my table. Instead, this cotton version from Walmart worked perfectly.
Place Setting: Seeking out vintage Chinoiserie plates online, one search came up with a stunning set from CB2. The place setting paid a nod to antique sets, yet had a contemporary flair. I didn’t want the table to feel stuffy, and was looking for a causal idea instead of charger plates. These placemats were a score at Homegoods. Like my co-hostess, Ursula noted, “They looked like birds nests for the bird plates!”
Napkins: The table cloth and plate style was traditional. In looking for a more casual item, I opted for a Gingham cloth napkin from Target in taupe, then went online and learned how to make a whimsical bow, and used wood bead bracelets (one of my guest-gifts) for the napkin ring.
Flatware: My every day flatware from Mepra at Macy’s added another casual and modern element for the place setting. I wanted to keep it simple due to the fact everything else was pattered.
Drinkware: To tie the table’s look together, there needed a gem color to anchor all of the elements together. My mom had vintage glasses from Anchor Hocking and found them on Ebay and Mercari. They were perfectly simple and paid homage to my childhood and the glasses my Mom so loved.
Additional Design Elements: Creating the centerpiece for the middle of the table was super fun. Crate and Barrel had these mod ceramic turkeys and “thankful” brass trivets. The florals from Joann Fabrics, vases and mini dark green velvet pumpkins from Homegoods.
Gifts for Guests: I try and think about thoughtful gifts for my friends each year to open at the table and to take home as a memory from our time together. I always have holiday poppers at the table, a rolled peper treat that pops when you pull the ends. Inside are mini-toys, jokes and a paper crown. They are so fun, and the jokes make for great conversation ice-breakers.
Take-Away Gifts: This year, the take-home gifts were wooden bead bracelets that doubled as napkin rings from Temu.com
The “thank you” cards with quotes and inspirational messages I found on Amazon. They were a hit!
