There are several facets to Thanksgiving that we are all too familiar with: turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes — essentially all the requirements to eat a feast. But what about the final touches that turn an ordinary Thanksgiving dinner into an extraordinary Thanksgiving extravaganza? According to Ivett Wesselenyi, creative director for Gifts & Gatherings of La Jolla, the decorations, centerpieces and table settings all help accomplish this. Wesselenyi provides several tips to make this Thanksgiving a little more festive, like adding twigs, moss balls or pods to existing centerpieces. “For fall, I tend to decorate with more natural elements,” because faux flower access tends to be more limited, Wesselenyi said. If faux flowers are available, she suggests using them as table accents in colors like metallic copper or aubergine. For those looking to save time and money, Wesselenyi also has suggestions to give a home’s surroundings a seasonal shift without investing in a whole new set of accessories. This can be achieved by bringing some elements into the limelight or by correcting height and size ratios in the existing accent pieces to establish a more visually appealing effect. Most importantly though, make sure to place whatever table centerpiece is decided upon — whether it be candelabra or vase — above eye level, Wesselenyi said. “Make sure it’s tall and that the bulk of the flowers, branches or candles don’t obstruct the view among guests.” Perhaps one of the easiest ways to encourage a relaxing, family experience is to change the eating structure, which can end up being a game of hot potato with people passing around side dishes for the majority of the meal. “This time of year is a time to share with family,” said Wesselenyi. “Family-style dinners with Lazy Susans in the middle of the table, even at larger gatherings such as fundraisers, has become a new trend.” • Table linens, napkins and placemats The color and design of linens should be a very dominant part of the décor. Tables are traditionally covered with linen, silk or a cotton tablecloth. Underlays can touch the ground and act as a lining and complimentary color base for the fancier and more dominant overlays. Another option is to use placemats and napkins only, but only if the base and legs of the table are nice enough to become part of the décor. Napkins make great decorations. They can be folded to various designs, can hold menus or be adorned with fancy napkin rings. • Charger plates Charger plates are not used to serve food, but as a decoration to present the other plates upon. It’s traditionally removed before the main course. • Glasses Unless you have plenty of table space and are serving a small dinner party, I recommend against using more than three glasses per person for a sit down dinner: champagne flute, water/red wine and wine/white wine glasses. Choosing colored glass or crystal glasses will add interest to the table. Use specialty glasses for cocktail hour: martini/margarita, whiskey, shot and cognac glasses. Children should only have water glasses. • Flatware The type of flatware you will need depends on the food you are serving. Some dishes, like cream soups, lobster, steak, pasta and fish require special flatware types, so adjust accordingly. Handles and finishes vary, with china, glassware and flatware patterns needing to work together. I use the two out of three methods: Plain or decorated, two out of three should be the same kind: two decorated with one plain, or two plain with one decorated. • Serving pieces Serving pieces are usually used for small family gatherings or on the buffet table — perfect accessories for Thanksgiving. Traditional pieces are: covered tureens, platters, tea and coffeepots, gravy boats, sugar bowls and creamers. • Lighting Candles and votives are the traditional light sources on a set table. Large silver candelabras provide instant height and class to any table. Votives can be placed on the table or hung from an arrangement.
