I’ve rounded up several ideas to style your table for a mid-century modern Thanksgiving.
Try modern table linens, serving platters and centerpieces to make this year’s dinner special. Don’t miss the mid-century style printable placemats and more ideas for your Thanksgiving table below.
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Thanksgiving Table Linens
Start with the linens. Look for neutral, textured fabrics with splashes of fall colors.
Modern Tablecloths and Runners
There are lots of pretty linen tablecloths like this that can warm up the table decor.
You might also like this DIY felt table runner inspired by Cathrineholm lotus leaves.
Mid-Century Modern Placemats
For the placemats, layer on the mod shapes and fall style. I designed these autumn tree placemats for a mid-century modern Thanksgiving. The touch of turquoise adds retro vibes to the fall color scheme.
They are designed to print on legal 8.5 x 14-inch paper, a little smaller than standard placemats. You can get legal paper here, and make sure to select the legal paper size in your printer settings. Or you could have them enlarged and printed at a print shop.
Both placemat PDFs are available for free in my resource library. Sign up for the H & H newsletter to get instant access to these placemats and all of my home and garden printables.
Napkins and Napkin Rings
Fabric napkins are a sure sign we’re getting fancy. Find creative napkin folding ideas here, or simply roll them up with a modern woodsy napkin ring.
Modern Thanksgiving Dishware
For dishware, I like to collect modern pieces that will work for every major occasion. White serving platters and silver serving utensils are a good start. Acacia wood bowls are modern and give you the Thanksgiving feels.
And if you want to go totally mid-century, don’t forget the Jell-O mold!
You could also spruce up your Thanksgiving table with vintage dishware. One of my favorites is Cathrineholm, a mid-century modern classic.
Read More: All about Cathrineholm
Thanksgiving Table Decor
Next, layer on the Thanksgiving accessories.
Display a modern pumpkin centerpiece or natural tapers in mid-century candle holders with gold accents. Or head out to the yard and hunt for fall colors to display in a vase.
Fall Floral Arrangement
I put together this simple Thanksgiving floral arrangement with spent crocosmia, barberry, blueberry and Elijah blue fescue cuttings in a classic milk vase.
More Table Decor
Have a Mid-Century Thanksgiving
Once the table’s all set, you can make Thanksgiving extra memorable with a throwback recipe. Try a vintage desert or side dish that the family won’t forget.
I went with a retro Jell-O mold delight, but I had trouble getting it free from the mold. So I checked with my baking source, the mom-in-law. She said make sure to apply generous amounts of nonstick spray to the bundt pan first.
You can also warm up the pan with water to help release the Jell-O. And throw in some vanilla vodka for extra delight. Find more ideas in these books.
Retro Recipes from the ’50s and ’60s
You might also like these mid-century modern holiday decor ideas.
- Everything you need for a mid-century modern Christmas
- Modern printable cat art for instant fall decor
- Vintage Halloween decor guide
Lots of great ideas for a memorable Thanksgiving. (I had a trip down memory lane of when we spent Thanksgiving with all of you 4 years ago and you and Eric hosted a great holiday of memories for all of us. smiles…). The placemats are very clever and your holiday table looks very festive! Awesome job on the mid-century look!! (Your orange jello mold looks yummy!) (Yes the holidays are certainly going to be “different” and quieter this year for most families, but hopefully the future will hold some kind of normalcy.)
Yes, looking forward to a little more normalcy sometime! The Jell-O was really yummy with the vanilla vodka. We have had some fun Thanksgivings together over the years. I’d like to go back to the one at the Vegas buffet!