Hosting Thanksgiving Like a Pro: Easy Tips & Chic Brands for a Stylish Table

Hosting Thanksgiving this year? Here are stylish tips and brands to elevate your table with cozy, autumnal charm.

Whether you're a seasoned host or planning your very first Friendsgiving, curating the perfect Thanksgiving gathering is all about warmth, comfort, and a sprinkle of personal flair. At the Splendid Shopper, we’re all about hosting with heart—without sacrificing sustainability or style.

Think: cozy textures, conscious brands, and tableware that tells a story. Below, we’re sharing our favorite tips for decorating, cooking, and creating the kind of vibe that makes your guests want to linger long after dessert. Plus, we’ve rounded up of our go-to brands for plates, linens, and homey touches to make your celebration extra special.

Splendid Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving This Year

Embrace Tablescape Layering

Your Thanksgiving table deserves more than a basic runner. Layer a textured tablecloth with natural elements like eucalyptus, seasonal fruits (pomegranate, figs!), and beeswax taper candles. Bonus: it looks expensive, but most of this you can find at your local farmer’s market.

Keep the Menu Cozy, Not Complicated

It’s not about reinventing cranberry sauce—it’s about making your guests feel at home. Stick to 2–3 standout dishes (like a sweet potato galette or elevated mac & cheese) and let store-bought pies do the rest. If you do go homemade, make a moment out of it—bake with friends, playlist on, wine flowing.

Serve a Signature Cocktail (or Mocktail!)

Think cinnamon-spiced old fashioneds or a sparkling apple rosemary mocktail. A pre-batched drink in a beautiful carafe is effortless, photogenic, and instantly upgrades the vibe.

Scent the Space Naturally

Skip the overly sweet candles. Go for subtle, grounding scents like cedar, fig, or cardamom. A stovetop simmer pot with citrus peels, cloves, and cinnamon sticks makes your home smell divine—and it’s zero waste!

Splendid Set Menus for Thanksgiving

Hosting isn’t just about what’s on the table—it’s about what’s served. Whether you're going full traditional or leaning modern and veggie-forward, these Pinterest-worthy menus are cozy, approachable, and delightfully delicious.

Set Menu 1: Modern Classic

• Herb-roasted turkey breast with garlic & thyme
• Apple & fennel salad with walnut vinaigrette
• Sweet potato gratin with sage
• Roasted brussels sprouts with pomegranate
• Buttermilk biscuits
• Spiced pumpkin tart with whipped cream

Perfect for: Medium-sized gatherings, “Friendsgiving” groups, or anyone craving nostalgic flavors with a twist.

Set Menu 2: Plant-Based Cozy Chic

• Lentil walnut loaf with mushroom gravy
• Wild rice & cranberry stuffed acorn squash
• Vegan mac & cheese with roasted garlic
• Maple-glazed carrots with dill
• Sourdough stuffing
• Apple cider poached pears

Perfect for: Vegan or vegetarian guests, smaller groups, and conscious cooks.

Cozy Cocktails (and a Mocktail Twist!)

No Thanksgiving is complete without a signature sip. Whether you’re toasting to chosen family or just trying to survive your aunt’s third retelling of that one story, these festive drinks will keep spirits high and glasses full. Each one has a mocktail-friendly version so everyone can join the toast.

Maple Bourbon Smash

Vibe: Smoky, a little sweet, and wildly cozy.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• ½ oz pure maple syrup
• Juice of ½ an orange
• Dash of orange bitters
• Splash of soda water
• Garnish: orange peel + rosemary sprig

How to Serve: Shake it up and pour over ice in a rocks glass. Top with soda, garnish generously, and cue the compliments.

Mocktail version: Swap bourbon for chilled black tea or a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative like Ritual.

Sparkling Apple Rosemary Fizz

Vibe:  Crisp, light, and herbaceous—the ideal welcome drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz fresh apple cider
• ½ oz lemon juice
• Top with prosecco or sparkling water
• Garnish: rosemary sprig + thin apple slice

How to Serve: Build in a stemmed glass for that elevated holiday feel. Rosemary = instant glam.

Mocktail version: Use sparkling apple juice or kombucha instead of prosecco. Just as bubbly, 0% boozy.

Brands to Shop for the Coziest Thanksgiving Table

Rebecca Udall—Olivia Scalloped Crockery, Raspberry Filet

This is not your everyday plate—and that’s exactly the point. The Olivia Scalloped Crockery in Raspberry Filet from Rebecca Udall brings a soft, feminine touch to your holiday table with its delicate scalloped edge and rich raspberry trim.

Whether you’re layering them for a Thanksgiving feast or styling a brunch table for two, these plates are meant to elevate everything—from mashed potatoes to mille-feuille. Pair with warm-toned linen napkins and gold flatware for a look that’s festive without being fussy.

Rebecca Udall—Rattan Charger, Brown

If you're looking to add depth and dimension to your tablescape, the Rattan Charger in Brown is the secret styling weapon you didn’t know you needed. Handwoven with natural rattan, this piece adds a grounded, earthy element to your setup—ideal for autumn gatherings, rustic-luxe dinners, or year-round entertaining. It layers beautifully beneath the Olivia Scalloped Crockery or any neutral-toned dinnerware, offering texture without overpowering the rest of your setting.

Beyond beauty, it’s practical too: chargers protect your table, frame your place settings, and make even casual meals feel curated. This one is especially great for indoor and outdoor settings.

Amazon—Vintage Cast Iron Taper Candle Holders

Proof that you don’t have to splurge to style like a pro: these Vintage Cast Iron Taper Candle Holders from Amazon deliver major heirloom energy at a budget-friendly price. With their ornate curves and rustic finish, they bring old-world charm to your Thanksgiving (or any!) tablescape.

They come in several sizes, so you can mix and match heights for visual depth. Honestly? They look like something you thrifted in Provence.

Heather Taylor Home—Katherine Plaid Napkins

The Katherine Plaid Napkins by Heather Taylor Home are basically Thanksgiving personified. With their cranberry, forest green, and creamy plaid palette, they bring an effortless warmth to your tablescape—like a flannel blanket, but for your place settings.

We love that they’re festive without being kitschy, so you can use them all season long (and beyond). Plus, they’re machine-washable—hosting win.

Our Place—Serving Set

The Ceramic Serving Set from Our Place is what hosting dreams are made of. Sleek, substantial, and stunning on any tablescape, this duo includes two oversized, glossy-glazed serving bowls that feel both special and practical. Designed to nest beautifully and serve generously, they’re perfect for everything from leafy salads to creamy mashed potatoes.

Crafted from recycled ceramic and finished with a dreamy sheen, these bowls are dishwasher-safe, stackable, and available in Our Place’s signature earth-toned hues like Steam, Spice, and Char. They’re the kind of pieces you’ll reach for on holidays, weekdays, and everything in between.

West Elm—Horizon Collection Glassware

The Horizon Collection from West Elm is glassware you’ll want to use year-round—but it truly shines on a Thanksgiving table. With a softly fluted silhouette, each piece in the collection feels like a little sculpture. Whether you’re pouring wine, sparkling cider, or a cinnamon spritz, these glasses elevate the moment effortlessly.

The collection includes everything from stemless wine glasses to coupes and highballs—perfect for matching your glassware to your signature cocktail. Despite their delicate appearance, they’re dishwasher-safe, so you don’t have to stress post-dinner.

Arhaus—Klasa  Large Dark Gold Platter

If your Thanksgiving table leans a little gothic luxe (think moody florals, deep jewel tones, and vintage silver), the Large Dark Gold Platter by Klasa is your showstopper. With its burnished gold finish and smooth, sculptural lines, it brings high-drama energy in the most elevated way. It’s the kind of piece that makes even a pile of roasted root veggies look editorial.

Handmade with a ceramic-like glaze and metallic luster, this platter is surprisingly versatile—use it for hors d’oeuvres, sliced breads, or as a base for layered candle arrangements. It’s artful, but also 100% functional.

Arhaus—Wine Chiller Bucket

The Wine Chiller Bucket from Arhaus is the kind of piece that turns any dinner party into a scene. Crafted from hand-hammered aluminum with a warm, antique brass finish, it feels like something you’d find in an old-world European villa—but with a sleek, modern edge.

More than just good looks, this bucket is functional, keeping your wine or bubbly perfectly chilled throughout dinner. It looks stunning on a candlelit tablescape or styled on a bar cart with matching brass accents. It’s the small detail that makes everything feel intentional.

Splendid Shopper Tip: Fill with ice, a bottle of sparkling rosé, and fresh herbs or citrus slices for an elevated host moment. Bonus: it doubles as a floral vase if you’re not serving wine.

Amazon—Silver Display Stand

A good tablescape is all about height and layers, and these Silver Display Stands from Amazon deliver exactly that. With their gleaming silver finish and classic pedestal base, they add just the right amount of vintage glamor—without overpowering your spread.

Use them to showcase poached pears, mini pies, or even taper candles. They’re especially perfect for holiday hosting because they help you maximize table space (hello, vertical styling) while adding that "curated heirloom" vibe. And the best part? They look way more luxe than their price tag suggests.

Amazon—4-Pack Silver Serving Trays

Hosting on a budget without sacrificing style? Enter this 4-Pack of Silver Serving Trays from Amazon. With their classic ornate edging and mirror-polished finish, they look like they came straight from a European estate sale—but are actually ultra-affordable and party-ready.

Each tray is lightweight but sturdy, and they come in a variety of sizes perfect for everything from appetizers to desserts. Use one for a cheese spread, another for cocktail service, and stack the rest with taper candles or seasonal fruit as décor. The possibilities are endless—and so is the sparkle.

Whether you're hosting a full house or an intimate dinner for two, the magic of Thanksgiving comes from the little things—thoughtful touches, shared recipes, vintage candlelight, and the stories that linger long after dessert. With the right mix of timeless tableware, cozy textures, and soul-warming sips, your celebration is already set to be something special.

From silver trays to scalloped ceramics, we hope this guide gave you all the inspiration you need to host with heart and style. Don't stress the small stuff. Light the candles, pass the pie, and savor every beautiful, imperfect moment.

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