Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes, Table + Home Decorating Ideas

It’s almost gobble till you wobble time Foxes!! This will be my second Thanksgiving since deciding to make daily food choice that are better for my long term health, and don’t just taste good going down. haha. Last year I made homecooked cranberry sauce in my crockpot. Let me just tell you it was the best thing I’ve ever tasted!! So while I’ll make sure to be aware of what I’m putting in my mouth, that is definitely making my list. 

Are you ready to read all about my Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes + Home Decorating Ideas? Some of these are mine, and some are some amazing ideas I’ve seen that I thought you might love too! And as always, please share in the comments any little Thanksgiving gems might have. I love to hear your smart ideas & family traditions. 

We very happily spent the last several Thanksgiving holidays at my SIL’s to accommodate my mother in laws health, so the holiday really shifted away from our house for many years, after it kind of being “our holiday”. And last year, like many of you I’m sure, we stayed home. I actually don’t know who is hosting this year, but we are always, always in charge of the turkey. I’ve told myself to blog how Jimmy prepares our Turkey for so many years, but the time comes and I never do. I’m a terrible blogger. I so often live in the moment and don’t document things. And you are all still here, so I guess it wasn’t anything earth shattering to miss. When I’m not hosting, something I still like to do every year, is to set the table for our little family. If we eat the day before, or do leftovers, I like to throw a table together for us. Thanksgiving is actually my favorite family holiday. Though we count or blessings always. Always. Thanksgiving is a time when we really stop and reflect with our extended family, and not one of us leaves the table with dry eyes! 

How to Style a Cottage Farmhouse Thanksgiving Table With These Simple Ideas

• You can find beautiful vintage inspired  sugar molds like mine [here]. affiliate 

• Over the years I’ve tried to get creative with what I have on hand, and to keep things affordable by skipping fresh florals as a centerpiece. I’ve touched on the cost savings of doing a non-floral centerpiece. I know! I am drawn to fresh flowers too, because they are often spectacular, but I always wrestle with the cost. Frugal-me never wants to part with $50 or more for something I can’t use again & again. I simply don’t have that kind of budget. 

Thanksgiving Table with Concrete Turkey Centerpiece, Buffalo Checks & Fall Leaves

• You can find cane back dining chairs like mine — in stock, with quick delivery [click here]! affiliate 

• How To Make Key Pieces Look Fresh & New! Did you notice I used the same turkey plates? I did! But I went with a buffalo check base with the runner, and built on that with warm woods, natural textures, Autumn leaves and candles. The plates feel fresh & different by changing up the layers and the color palette. Plus, they are just too cute not to use again & again. I love how versatile the pattern is, and I think I’m going to try to pull out the green in them this year! 

Now, onto the most important part of the day, besides the family… FOOD! You know it’s true. This is a food based holiday. A day to focus on our gratitude, family… and that yummy, yummy, look-forward-to-it all year… Thanksgiving Day FOOD! 

Here are 25+ Savory Thanksgiving Side Dish, Soup And Appetizer Recipes

Get your belly ready for Over 25 Thanksgiving Pie, Cake and Dessert Recipes

One of my all-time-favorite things I even decorated for Thanksgiving, was the year I used all white pumpkins (my forever favorite) and some shed antlers on the kitchen island, with the brick wall in the background. That brick wall is one of the best gifts Jimmy ever gave me. I adore it, and how much warmth and delicious detail it adds to our humble home. For being almost 100 years old, this gal is lacking in architectural detail. It’s sweet as can be, but it’s just an unpretentious, little cottage bungalow. 

This was Phase One of our slow & steady Kitchen Makeover, featuring the new free standing kitchen island and the 100% DIY real brick wall [details & reveal here]

Then things got better! Phase Two, included a DIY open panty and a NEW chandelier [more details, reveal & tutorial here]

Natural Autumn Décor with White Pumpkins and Antlers for Thanksgiving

• I love that I’ve got pictures of my more “fuller & fluffier” décor days. Maybe one day, I’ll be able to be on my feet for hours & hours, just playing with my décor again. The hunting around for just the right combination… and fluffing and fiddling filled my heart with much joy!! Rest assured, I know I’ve got sooooo much to be thankful for, and I’m always working hard to adjust my mind set and to look for the joy in what I can do. I don’t get into all that much because, well… it’s just a bummer. And I know we’ve all got things we are dealing with. No one needs to hear my boo-hoo woes. 

This years Fall into Thanksgiving Kitchen Island Look [home tour & more here]

• Featuring my big, fat, million pound vintage scale that has to live on the kitchen island for the rest of it’s life, per the agreement I made with Jim. Because of afore mentioned million pound weight. Of course, we all know he’ll move it for me if it’s “just not working here for Christmas honey”. Plus, I’ve always got my back-up “could you move something for mom?”… Austin! The scale takes up lots of visual room, making for less stuff needed to make for a full and interesting look. You can see I’ve only used one, tiny, lonely little white punkin this year. And my go-to faux flowers. Two stems of Magnolias and some washed white pumpkin floral picks. So simple! 

20 Ways To Make Thanksgiving EXTRA Special!

• Above, you’ll find so many thoughtful, sweet ways to make your Thanksgiving holiday extra meaningful. From a top rated stove top simmering scent recipe, a hit appetizer, wonderful free printables for tables and décor, place card ideas, ideas to keep the little ones entertained at dinnertime, “thankful pumpkins”, the perfect little personal hostess gift and loads of ideas for your Thanksgiving table. Don’t miss this treasure trove! 

This one is an oldie but a goodie, and is such a great go-to Thanksgiving Table Idea for both ease and affordability! BONUS, anyone can do this one! 

Click Here For The Best Cheap & Easy Table Runner Trick Around! 

Thank you as always my sweet Foxy friends, for joining me here at Fox Hollow Cottage. And please, wherever you are, and whatever you do, make sure to eat a piece of pie for me this Thanksgiving holiday! 

If you yearn for a more colorful, traditional Thanksgiving look — this table is saturated in lush, rich shades and pretty, Autumn inspired dishes!

Budget & Beginner Friendly Thanksgiving Table Ideas Anyone Can Do!

If this doesn’t wrap it up perfectly, I don’t know what else would?

Okay, maybe free pie. Free free, and also calorie free. haha

Wishing you all love, light & endless blessings, today, and as we enter this wonderful holiday season. xo Shan 

PS: Psst… want more Thanksgiving goodness? Find my entire catalog of Thanksgiving ideas & content on the blog by clicking right here! Includes a whole printable Thanksgiving series, and this viral post about how to decorate porch urns for Autumn, and you can use up those pretty Halloween pumpkins to make a great first impression for your Thanksgiving guests!

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