My Epic List of Thanksgiving Entertaining Essentials

Do you think it’s too soon to think of Thanksgiving? I’m sort of on the fence about it… but then I also always feel like the holidays sneak up on me! Like, how is tomorrow Halloween already?? When did this happen? I digress. Back to Thanksgiving… entertaining is always my favorite part of the holidays. I love having people over, feeding them, keeping their wine glasses full. The whole nine yards. Even with our kitchen in shambles, I have high hopes of some low-key small space Thanksgiving entertaining. I’m also on this kick where I want everything in our new kitchen to be absolutely amazing, so I’ve been rethinking everything I have and making a few key purchases. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving for the first time or bajillionth time, this post should help you feel confident and prepared!

My Thanksgiving Entertaining Essentials

Serveware:

If I had to think of one vital element to a successful Thanksgiving entertaining, it would be serveware. With that much food to share, you need chic, stylish plates and bowls to hold it all! I’m a big fan of mixing and matching patterns, colors, size, and materials in my serveware. So I might do a classic white porcelain serving platter, then mix in a few wooden bowls and patterned dishes for an eclectic mix. It also helps to always have a few different sizes on hand because you never know what you’ll need! Oh, and definitely have a few serving pieces that are oven-safe so you can keep all the good stuff warm in the oven.

1. crinkle serving bowl
2. Hayes marble and wood serveware
3. Suite One Studio baroque platter
4. blue mosaic rectangular platter
5. Portland footed serve bowl
6. Cambria oval serve bowl
7. beaded edge platter
8. wood and marble pedestal server
9. black dip platters
10. AERIN scalloped green rim oval platter
11. Fiona silver covered serving platter
12. Ceriart scalloped pudding platter
13. crisp matte white serving bowl

Serving Utensils:

now that we’ve covered that the food will be served on, it’s time to think about how you’ll actually transport the food to your plate! As a prop stylist, I tend to have lots of serving utensils on hand at all times. In case you’re just starting out, though, here are some large spoons, tongs, and forks that will help your guests portion their meals in style. Pro tip: you can also split up a salad server set and use each utensil for a different dish!

1. Laguiole 2-piece serving set
2. 2-piece spin wood salad server set
3. gold salad servers
4. stonewood stripe salad servers
5. distressed black salad servers
6. 2-piece trek horn salad server set
7. rose gold serving spoons
8. tork salad servers set of 2
9. wood handled serving set
10. twig melamine salad servers
11. Jefferson 2-piece serving set
12. gold and wood servers

Glassware:

I am surprisingly picky about my glassware. It might not seem like it because I’ve hoarded so much of it in my prop library, but for our home, I am incredibly picky! Wine glasses are a vital part of entertaining, especially during the holidays, but I never have the space to store glasses for each type of wine. And, let’s be real here, I never actually remember which glass is for which type of wine! I tend to prefer glassware that is elegant and striking, but also simple and universal. Not too much to ask, I swear!

1. clarity iridescent wine glasses
2. gold sparkle set of 4 stemless wine glasses
3. French wine glass
4. crescent wine glass (these are on sale, too!)
5. Spanish recycled stemless wine glass
6. Schott Zwiesel Sense wine glasses
7. short wine glass
8. smoke grey wine glasses, set of 4
9. diamond crystal wine glasses
10. blend stemless wine glass
11. set of 4 clear and white wine glasses
12. linen copper stemless glasses
13. Vietri drop wine glass

Table Linens:

I used to design table linens, so (again) I have strong opinions here, too! Plus, we’re a cloth napkins-only household. I like to go for a festive vibe thanks to lots of texture and a traditional, fall-inspired color palette. Tones of burgundy, persimmon orange, and golden yellow are perfect for this time of year! Don’t be afraid to mix and match here, too, for an eclectic mix.

1. round rattan placemats
2. fray cotton and jute table runner
3. beige and white dinner napkins
4. Chilewich basketweave placemat
5. golden yellow gingham napkin
6. metallic woven table runner
7. gold round placemat
8. Plymouth plaid napkins
9. dip dye linen napkins, set of 4
10. natural water hyacinth table runner
11. bordered hotel napkins

Tabletop Decor:

And last, but not least all the special decor pieces that make your tabletop feel that much more festive. I’m talking about napkin rings, candle holders, place cards, and more! I like to think of these decorative accessories as the cherry on top of your tablescape sundae.

1. brushed gold place card holders
2. drusy napkin rings
3. butterfly ginkgo candleholders
4. 3-piece roundabout taper candle holder set
5. fall colored tiny taper candles
6. marble and brass wine coaster
7. brushed gold salt and pepper shakers
8. rose quartz napkin rings
9. round gold salt and pepper shakers
10. hammered copper votives
11. fan bronze trivet
12. champagne gold ice bucket
13. sculptural candleholder
14. multi pillar candle holder
15. olivewood trivet
16. set of 8 gold napkin rings

Tell me, what are your essential pieces for successful Thanksgiving entertaining?

photography by Belathée Photography.