Thrifting a Thanksgiving Tablescape

October 30, 2024

By Sarah Ramberg

Hello, friends and fellow thrifters! It’s Sarah from Sadie Seasongoods, and I’m so happy to be collaborating with the Charlotte Region ReStore(s) once again. With the holidays fast approaching, I thought it might be fun to put together a Thanksgiving tablescape using items found at the ReStores.

A “tablescape” is a fully decorated and impeccably set dining table that typically follows a theme (holiday, season, etc.). Tablescapes can vary from formal to whimsical, and yes- you can absolutely put one together using items purchased from our Charlotte Region ReStores. Here are some tips and suggestions to create your own.

Step 1: Determine Your Event Vibe and Style

First, ask yourself several questions. Is your event more formal or laid-back? How many people do you expect? Do you want your tablescape to blend into your home’s style or have a traditional Thanksgiving color palette?
Thinking about these questions will help you hone in on the right pieces when you shop at one of our ReStores.

Step 2: Create a List

Now that you’ve determined the style you’re going for and the size of your gathering, it’s time to make a “Thrift Shopping List”. Doing this will help you stay on budget and get everything you need without breaking the bank. Don’t forget to take into account any pieces you already have or plan on using, too.

This list of tablescape elements will help you come up with a thrift shopping list:

Foundation. The foundation of your Thanksgiving tablescape is usually one of three things: Tablecloth; Table Runner; and/or Placemats. You can, of course, use more than one of these to start your tablescape. But using at least one will serve as a great foundation to build upon- and they’ll help protect your table’s surface.

Place Settings. Knowing the number of guests you expect is important when preparing your holiday table. Of course, this number may fluctuate slightly with last-minute cancellations or unexpected plus-ones. Thankfully, our ReStores have plenty of dish and glass options- in sets and singles- to allow you to pull off your event flawlessly.

Serving Pieces. Whether your gathering is a buffet or served family style, you may need a few extra serving dishes. And while some of the more over-the-top tablescapes don’t incorporate serving dishes on the table, that’s not a very realistic approach. Serving bowls, large platters, and gravy boats are Thanksgiving staples, no matter how you plan on serving the meal. Don’t forget to consider salt-and-pepper shakers in your shopping list. This way, the shakers bought at the grocery store can remain in the kitchen.

Table Décor. While a centerpiece isn’t critical to your tablescape, the center of your table is a great place for a simple but festive decorative element. Cornucopia baskets are a Thanksgiving tradition, but a nice set of candlesticks or a decorative bowl works wonderfully, too. Just keep height in mind when selecting your table décor, so that all your guests can easily enjoy each other’s company.

Step 3: Go Thrifting at the Charlotte Region ReStores

You’ve done the homework, now comes the fun part: Shopping at any of our ReStore stores! The housewares section will have a plethora of dishes and dish sets to consider. You’ll also find plenty of drinking glasses, wine glasses, and serving pieces, too. The ReStores are a great place to pick up extra dining chairs or tables if you need them, as well!
I struck gold at the Wendover and Cornelius ReStores for dishes used in my tablescape. But don’t forget that the Gastonia ReStore is now part of the Charlotte Region family- and it has a huge selection of dishes/glasses, too.

Step 4: Build Your Tablescape

Once you’ve brought all your ReStore treasures home and washed them, you can start building your tablescape. Setting the foundation and place settings first is a good rule of thumb; this allows you to gauge the space you have left for serving pieces and table décor.
And don’t be afraid to look up place setting diagrams online- there are lots of graphics that will help you set everything in just the right place.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Charlotte Region ReStores!

We’re so excited to help you put together a gorgeous Thanksgiving tablescape this year and would love to see what you find at our stores! Please tag us (@cltregionrestore and @sadieseasongoods) with the hashtag #ReStoreThanksgiving to show off your treasures and tablescapes!

October 30, 2024