IDEAS TO SET THE TABLE FOR A LARGE GATHERING

Don’t panic! You have twenty-five people gathering around your table for Thanksgiving, and if you’re lucky, you have a complete table setting for twelve.. keep reading for ideas on how I set the table for our large gathering.

First, I want to start by saying, none of this truly matters.

What matters is the love, the laughter, and the loved ones that fill your home.

Whether you are eating from the most delicate china or paper plates, who you are sharing the meal with is what matters.

A GROWING FAMILY

I enjoy decorating…

This includes decorating the Thanksgiving table, so I’m inclined to go a little overboard.

OK…maybe a lot overboard.

I loved bringing out my mothers’ china and my mother-in-law’s silverware because it reminded us of the times spent at their homes.

But we were outgrowing their perfect set of twelve.

As our family grew, the small intimate gatherings at our house grew. Our kids, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends now have husbands, girlfriends, and children.

The number around the table started creeping into the twenties, and it became a struggle to find enough plates and seats at the table.

The Table Solution – Ideas To Set The Table For A Large Gathering

I decided it was time for a change.

My primary goal was to have everyone sit around the same table.

With the help of my husband…

We took two 4 x 12 pieces of plywood and, on each sheet, added foldable legs. It was raw wood and not very pretty, but there was enough room for everyone to sit around the table when put together.

We moved our dining room table into the garage and set up the plywood tables.

I bought two white banquet table clothes which covered the tables to the floor, hiding the ugly table legs.

Now, I had a blank slate to start decorating.

I splurged and bought two table clothes from William Sonoma, knowing I would be using them from year to year.

They made great overlays by adding color and interest over the plain banquet tablecloths.

Table Setting Ideas For A Large Gathering

Once I was satisfied with the table coverings, I started with the table setting.

I chose to go with all-white dishes; this would allow me the flexibility of playing with the table design from year to year or holiday to holiday.

For dishes, silverware, and glasses, check your local restaurant supply company. The prices are very reasonable, and the quality is good.

I have also found great deals on Amazon. Below are photos of what I bought.

Some of the links below are affiliate links. Affiliate links mean that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

I chose colorful napkins that coordinated with the tablecloth, and each year as they go on sale, I buy new napkins to change it up from year to year.

Now the fun part…

Add flower arrangements, candles, and Thanksgiving accessories; this is what will help give your table personality.

Each year just adding different flowers and accessories can change the entire look, and those stock dishes blend into the background.

I am still working on the chairs; although, I am finally at the point of not having my brothers bring chairs.

My complaint about owning twenty-five chairs is how bulky they are to store.

If anyone has a solution for chair storage…please leave a comment below.

Storage

Some of the links below are affiliate links. Affiliate links mean that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

I have invested in dinnerware storage sets which I use before packing the dishes and silverware into boxes for storage in the garage.

Now it is safely packed and ready for the next large gathering.

Hopefully, the kids will remember having Thanksgiving dinner surrounded by the people who love them, have a memory to keep with them as they grow and carry on the family traditions.

If you enjoy this post, here are a few others you may want to check out…

• DIY OLD VASES FOR AN ELEGANT DINING TABLE CENTERPIECE
• Five Tips For Valentine Dinner At Home
• Two Fall And Winter Wreaths to Make at Home
• Handmade Photo Albums, Scrapbooks, and Journals
• Festival of Lights

It Takes Time

It took me a few years to get everything the way I wanted, and I am still adding new things each year.

I do feel the initial investment, has repaid itself each year, but more importantly, it has decreased the stress surrounding the holidays.

If you have tips and tricks on how you manage a large gathering at your home, I would love to hear about it in the comments.

Here are a few of the things I bought and similar items from Amazon.